Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128165
2002 AMA Di ....t T ....ack G ....and Championships STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAVE HOENIG/FLAT TRAK FOTOS SPRINGFIELD, IL, JULY 1-6 he 2002 AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships came to the Illinois State Fairgrounds, in Springfield, Illinois, with high expectations. The nation's top amateur riders were chomping at the bit to ride the same tracks as the best Grand National pros. It marked the 26th year of the event. The Illinois Motorcycle Dealers Association and the American Motorcyclist Association pooled their talents and didn't disappoint the large field of entries. Despite the oppressive heat and midwest humidity, the 1455 entries were treated to four well-manicured racetracks. There were over 400 races in 18 Amateur classes and.a Pro-Sport class, which was a gigantic undertaking that resulted in long days for all. The week's action started at the Rodeo Arena, where the short track crowned the first national winners. Action continued Tuesday at the arena, when the grounds were transformed into a TT track. After a day off to regroup and enjoy a day poolside, the action resumed on the fourth of July on the half mile. The wide, limestone track (Top) Nicholas Cummings (69) and Logan Myers (24) congratulate each other after their half-mile battle. The two were determined co-winners of the AMA Horizon Award. (Right) Matthew Weidman (73) 90es under James Rispoli (71) during 85cc Modified (7-11) half-mile action. Weidman won the event, along with the Cycle News Fast Brain Award. 56 JULv31, 2002' c u e I e n e _ s had always been exclusively a horse practice track and had never seen motorized racing, but the ·cushion" track was a good fit for the Nationals. The youth classes would run two days on the half mile, while the 125cc machines and up would end the week on the fabled Springfield Mile. Since starting the award in 1997, the AMA's Horizon Award has become one of the most coveted among young hopefuls. The award is presented each year to young amateurs who are preparing to move up into pro racing. Past winners include Nicky Hayden, Roger Lee Hayden, Tony Meiring, Bryan Smith, Cory McDermitt and Jared Mees. All of whom are now making names for themselves in the pro ranks. The consensus this year was that the award would be decided between two young Michigan neighbors. Wheeler's Logan Myers and Mt. Morris' Nicholas Cummings were the odds-on favorites, and they did not disappoint anyone as they batfled all week long in three different classes. After running head to head all week, there was no clear-cut winner and they were named co-winners of the 2002 Horizon Award. Another special award given out was the Cycle News Fast Brain Award. The award is for racers who do well on the racetrack as well as in the classroom. Eleven-year-old Matthew Weidman coupled a 4.0 grade-point average with three half mile wins and an overall title in the 85cc Modified (7-11) class to take the award back to Westerlo, New York. The 50cc Pee Wee class had a large field of riders, and Lockeford, California's Michael Martin took the title in a close points battle with sixyear-old Dan Bromley from Warrington, Pennsylvania. The nine-year-old Martin had a second on the short track and a first on the TT, and two eighth-place finishes on the halfmiles. It was just enough to overcome Bromley's two half-mile victories. Marion, Wisconsin's Jordan Schoen was third. Six-year-old Bailey Spence, of Rising Sun, Maryland, swept the 50cc Junior Short Track and TT mains on his way to the overall. Princeton,