AMA Progressive Insurance Dirt Track Grand Championships
Illinois State Fairgrounds
By J.B. NORRIS
PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMERICAN
MOTORCYCLIST ASSOCIATION
SPRINGFIElD, IL, JUNE 30·JULY 5
pringfield Speed Week for the
AMA Progressive Insurance Dirt
Track Grand Championships pro·
duced outstanding racing on Grand
National-quality tracks. For the second year the Illinois Motorcycle Dealers Association hosted the Grands at
the mecca of dirt track, the Illinois
State Fairgrounds.
A giant entry of riders in 21 classes did battle on a Louisville-ish halfmile and the same tracks used for the
Grand Nationals on the Short Track-,
TT and the legendary Springfield Mile
over six days of raciA.g. -Racers from
4-year-olds on those cute pee wees
to 50-year-old gray beards and a
group of aspiring professional Pro
Sport riders were tested.
The riders race for individual
Championships at each track and
combine the week's results for Grand
Championships in each class. Riders
also compete for the prestigious
Cycle News Fast Brain Award, which
recognizes accomplishments in the
classroom and on the racetrack. The
AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award, the
Grands' highest honor, is awarded to
the top Amateur rider most likely to
have a Pro career on the horizon. Past
Horizon winners include Nicky and
Roger Lee Hayden, Bryan Smith,
Tony Meiring, Cory McDermitt, Jared
Mees, Nick Cummings and Logan
Myers.
S
Ohio's Ricky Marshall was the fastest amateur dirt tracker at
the week.long AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships in
Springfield, illinois. Marshall won Grand titles in the 505cc
Mod Premier and 600cc Mod classes and was awarded the
AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award.
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