Industry Hills Speedway

The Grand Arena
Industry Hills Expo Center
City of Industry, California

Speedway
July 27, 2022 - Industry Hills Speedway
Report by Howie Zechner

Once again Industry delivered the good time and great racing this Wednesday night program has become renowned for. Nonstop action that deliverers 36 heat races mixed with food, drink, and friends. Old or young, single or family, Speedway racing truly is an experience unlike any other.

Not the norm in race finishes the unstoppable Mad Max Ruml had his Industry winning streak come to a smashing end after laying down to his machine to avoid a crashed bike that was being removed for the track and then suffering mechanical issues on his back up machine. It is worth noting that even at full speed coming into turn three the National Champion did an outstanding job of laying down his bike.

When asked about it after the races an unhappy Max just shrouded it off to racing and relayed that he is not hurt and the bikes will be fully functional by the next August 6, Bruce Flanders Ugly Hawaiian Shirt Contest next Saturday.

After a long dry spell this night would also see two time California State and National Champion, Bobby Schwartz win his heat race and qualify for the main event. Obviously rejuvenated that his commitment to race Industry every week is finally paying dividends 66 year old Schwartz is pumped and looking to score points in next Saturdays August 6, event and the upcoming August 13 National Championship series, round 2.

Guess the saying “Old Guys Rule is true as “Mad Dog” Shawn McConnell also made the main. Always the acrobat and loved by all Shawn is also anxious to prove that age is just a number.

For those that need more race info, scoring is posted on the bottom of this story thanks to RC Jones. His SpeedwayBikes.com website lists rider, tracks, scoring and so much more.

But there’s more to Speedway then the 2.5 hours between our 7:30 start and 10pm checkered flag. Management, workers, well that’s a story all by itself and better suited to another day as its the riders, mechanics and support people I want to talk about.

Early in the afternoon they start to arrive. Making the drive from anywhere California, vans, trucks, cars, some with a bike strapped to the back start to fill the back parking lot. Unloading their equipment, setting up a pit area, it’s a dance that’s performed in a rhythm that most never see.

Most racers have their favorite spot where the pit every week. Newbies who unknowingly pit in one are quickly educated on the who and where that make the hood.

So it’s simple right. You pull up, unload your bikes, move your vehicle to the parking lot, your done and ready to race. Well not exactly.

No disrespect meant because I love them all but most of the racers treat their pit area like it was a vacation home. First a pop-up to protect from sun and rain. Many with fancy colors and lettering that relay their name and sponsors. Of course, there has to be lighting and each rider has their own method. Some run generators with 110-volt cords while others have fancy battery powered lights. Regardless of method they get it done.

Naturally one can’t put a race machine on the dirt so fancy mats have to be laid down first. No not those old black things they used decades ago. Nowadays they are specially embossed with sponsor and rider info.

Almost done you can’t forget a handful of chairs, a cooler or two, some kind of a work area, your toolbox’s and support supplies. Wow, no wonder each 10 x10 area is so crowded.

The bikes sit on special stands that allow the mechanics to change wheels, gearing and do repair work as needed. A crash that requires a fender, muffler or whatever fix is normally handled as everyone brings extra parts. On the rare occasion where a racer does not have what is needed, they ask their fellow competitors who gladly supply what is needed. Cody Racing parts is also there every week and stocks lots of parts in their trailer.

Funny how that works with the racers. One minute they are on the track fighting tooth and nail with their fellow competitors for a win and then are the best of friends once the race is completed. It’s a wonderful community support thing where each help with parts, labor and advise. It’s not uncommon to lend a complete ready to race bike to someone you have to face in your next heat.

Just like their race machine, pit crew(s) are an essential part of this equation. Fact is every winning racer values his crew more than anything else. Wreak a bike, need a motor or whatever it just takes money. Lose you pit guy(s) or girl well that can set your race agenda back weeks or more.

Then there’s the fact that most aren’t just crew they are friends, family and loved ones. They see each other daily or weekly. They travel together. They are family. Sometimes not in the traditional meaning but heck what’s traditional in the world nowadays.

This is probably more than you wanted to know regarding what transpires on that patch of dirt behind the arena. But one must respect the comradery that binds this band of brothers (and sisters) together.

In a rare treat of racing on a Saturday night next week’s August 6 is the Bruce Flanders Ugly Hawaiian Shirt Contest along with all divisions of Speedway that includes Junior, Mini 150, Pee Wee and Sidecars along with the Barry Weiss, 5 rider, last man out challenge.

Hope you make the call and plan to attend because you are the most important part of Speedway under the Thunderdome. Thanks, we appreciate your support.

Howie Zechner
Press Officer

RESULTS (Ryan Evans)

Scratch Main Event
46 – Aaron Fox
24 – Gino Manzares
6 – Shawn McConnell
11 – Bobby Schwartz

Scratch Consolation
30 – Tim Gomez
14 – Eddie Castro
1 – Max Ruml (non starter)
28 – Slater Lightcap (non starter)

Semi 1: (restarted) McConnell, Schwartz, Ruml (engine failure), Lightcap (retired)
Semi 2: Manzares, Fox, Gomez, Castro

First Division Heat Scoring 1 2 3 T
1 – Max Ruml 3 3 2 8
6 – Shawn McConnell 2 3 1 6
11 – Bobby Schwartz 1 3 1 5
14 – Eddie Castro 2 1 2 5
24 – Gino Manzares 3 2 3 8
28 – Slater Lightcap 1 1 3 5
30 – Tim Gomez 2 2 2 6
37 – Joey Donaldson 0 0 F 0
46 – Aaron Fox 3 2 3 8
137 – Justin Almon 1 1 F 2
251 – Greg Moore 0 0 0 0
309 – Johnny Oakden 0 0 1 1

Heat Results
1: Ruml, Castro, Almon, Oakden
2: Manzares, Gomez, Lightcap, Moore
3: Fox, McConnell, Schwartz, Donaldson
10: Schwartz, Gomez, Almon, Moore
11: Ruml, Fox, Lightcap, Oakden
12: McConnell, Manzares, Castro, Donaldson
20: (awarded) Manzares, Ruml, Schwartz, Donaldson (fell)
21: Lightcap, Gomez, McConnell (tape penalty), Almon (fell)
22: Fox, Castro, Oakden, Moore

Barry Weiss Last Man Out Challenge
24 – Gino Manzares
28 – Slater Lightcap
6 – Shawn McConnell
46 – Aaron Fox
11 – Bobby Schwartz

Second Division Main Event
168 – Mark Fillebrown
111 – David Newsham
290 – Harold Hartke
178 – Eloy Medellin

Second Division Consolation
296 – Andrew Russell
163 – Ron Davis
159 – Kevin Fiore
182 – Rudy Laurer
147 – Rick Farron (retired)

Third Division Main Event
123 – Jordan Vanderham
106 – Isaiah Canales
138 – Jim Sanders
211 – Steve Brown
215 – Greg Willis (retired)

Junior 250 Main Event
66 – Charlie Trana
226 - Levi Leutz
76 - Nick Dunn

Mini 150 Main Event
175 – Morgan Myers 0
22 – Ryder Schultz 90
175x – Maddux Myers 0
169 - Kayd Fiore 0

Pee Wee Main Event
15 – Hudson Jones
23 – Jenson Horn
20 – Max Maldonado
25 – Jett Ferre