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Industry Racing
The Grand Arena
Industry Hills Expo Center
City of Industry, California
AMA/FIM Speedway Youth Silver Cup Championship
August 11, 2019 - Industry Racing
JUNIOR DIVISION SILVER CUP CHAMPIONSHIP @ INDUSTRY – By Tim Kennedy
Industry, CA., Aug. 11- The 7th annual AMA/FIM Silver Cup Championship for Junior Division riders Sunday afternoon at Industry Speedway provided racing action from 12:30 to 2:50 pm. With the temperature 88-degrees outside, the roof-covered, open-sided Grand Arena provided a comfortable setting. The event rewards and helps develop the next generation of speedway racers. Sixteen 250cc riders and 11 mini 150cc riders competed in 34 races for more than $6,000 in cash donated by corporate sponsors and individuals.
Top three riders in the 250cc and 150cc main events received five to seven feet tall trophies that towered over the recipients. All riders also received envelopes with cash based upon their final ranking in points. There were five rounds of heats for the 250 division and four rounds for the 150 class. As usual, the Silver Cup awarded other trophies and awards to deserving riders during the half-hour awards ceremony at the podium outside the fourth turn.
CHAMPIONS: First-time Silver Cup champions this year were: (250cc)--Cameron Krezman, 16, from Newcastle, and (150cc)--Nick Hohlbein, 10, from Auburn. Both Nor Cal riders have enjoyed past success at Industry Speedway. In fact, Hohlbein won two 150cc Industry main events this season on June 19 and July 31.
Krezman, supported by many family members in the grandstand and pits, rode his orange No. 26 to four heat race victories and a second place. He led all four laps of the feature after starting from pole position. He led 20 of 24 laps he raced. Only fellow Nor Cal racer Timmy Dion beat him in the third round.
Hohlbein also was impressive. Nicknamed “The Pirate,” he won three of his four heats and finished second to Owen Williams in round three of four. Hohlbein started the feature from lane two and led all four laps to conclude his afternoon by leading 16 of 20 laps.
The top four point riders in each division after heats raced in their respective main events. The four 250cc riders and their point totals were: Krezman and So Cal's Slater Lightcap, 13, with 14 points based on identical four wins and one second place. Third place (tied at 13 points) were Landon Norton, 15, from Citrus Heights, (four wins and a third) and Timmy Dion, 15, from Grass Valley, (three wins and two seconds). Scoring was 3-2-1-0 as usual.
The top four mini 150cc riders were: Levi Leutz, 10, from Yucaipa, with four wins in four rounds. Hohlbein was second with three victories and one second. Third place was Mike McGrath, 8, of Fairfield (two wins, one second and one third in his four rides). The final feature berth went to Owen Williams, 12, from Costa Mesa (one win and three seconds). Fifth in points was Colton Nelson, 12, from Auburn, who won the 2018 Silver Cup 150cc championship.
150cc FEATURE:
The starting lineup from pole position to lane four was: Leutz, Hohlbein, McGrath, and Williams. The race needed two restarts. Hohlbein fell at turn two in a one bike mishap on the initial lap. He rejoined the complete restart. On the restart Leutz got into McGrath's bike entering turn one and both riders fell. They arose slowly and rejoined another complete restart. Hohlbein led Leutz, Williams and McGrath for two laps.
On lap 3 McGrath, in his first visit to Industry and in just his seventh race (all in Auburn), made an excellent inside pass in the fourth turn without contact and passed Williams. He finished third and earned the final podium position and the huge P. 3 trophy. Williams, a three-time 150cc feature winner at Industry this season, placed fourth. Hohlbein won by ten-yards over Leutz, who won the Junior 150cc AMA National Championship event July 12 in Auburn.
250cc FEATURE:
The starting field from pole to the crash-wall was Krezman, Lightcap (a five-time 250cc Industry feature winner this season), Dion, and Norton. Krezman is the 2019 250cc AMA National Champion based on the July 12 event at his home track in Auburn. Krezman shot into the lead immediately when the starting gate tapes released.
Dion, Norton, and Lightcap, who got high at turn two on the initial lap, followed in that order all four laps. The close-running field had two lengths between each competitor nearly all the way. The final checkered flag by starter Tom Fox waved at 2:50 pm. As is the usual tradition, both winners were tossed into the air by about ten celebrating friends at the third turn following their victory laps with the checkered flag.
SILVER CUP SUMMARIES:
150cc Division - (plus riders age, points, & heat race wins in parenthesis): Levi Leutz, 10, 12-points (4 wins); Nick Hohlbein, 10, 11 Pts (3 wins); Mike McGrath, 8, 9 Pts (2 wins), Owen Williams, 12, 9 Pts (1 win); Colton Nelson, 12, 7 Pts, (1 win), Brady Landon, 9, 6 Pts (1 win); Jose Navarrete, 10, 6 Pts; Nick Dunn, 13, 5 Pts; Max Anderson, 10, 4 Pts; Ryder Schultz, 7, 2 Pts; and newcomer Angel Adriano, 15, 1 pt.
250cc Division (plus riders age, points & heat race wins in parenthesis): Cameron Krezman, 16, 14 points, (4 wins); Slater Lightcap, 13, 14 Pts (4 wins); Timmy Dion, 15, 13 Pts (3 wins); Landon Norton, 15, 13 Pts (4 wins); Alex Martin, 14, 11 Pts (1 win); Landon Collins, 13, 10 Pts, (1 win); Dylan Wagner, 15, 8 Pts (2 wins); Greg Moore, 15, 8 Pts; Charlie Trana, 12, 6 Pts; Jonny Oakden, 15, 6 Pts; Wilbur Hancock, 14, 5 Pts (1 win), Luke Whitcomb, 13, 5 Pts; Logan Hedden, 15, 3 Pts; Andrew Russell, 14, 2 Pts, Justin Almon, 13, 0 Pts, and Kyle Cunningham, 15, 0 Pts
AWARDS:
> The Hammer Award (a large hammer affixed to a wooden plaque) – went to 250cc rider Kyle Cunningham, from Auburn. He fell during round three in turn one and remained on the ground about five minutes with a sore shoulder. He walked to the pits and later said he had sore shoulder muscles and had his left arm in a sling as he accepted his award. He also received the P 16. envelope containing $77 cash.
> The Unicorn Award (a ceramic unicorn head on a plaque) – went to Alex Martin.
> The Edge Award Division -”Go Big or Go Home” printed on a decorated ceramic plate – went to 150cc rider Colton Nelson.
> The High Five Award – (a large black glove) – went to new150cc competitor Ryder Schultz 7, from Menifee.
> The Lucky Star – (a metal container) – went to 250cc rider Landon Norton.
> The Grin Award – (for dedication, sportsmanship and integrity) – went to 250cc winner Cameron Krezman.
CASH ENVELOPES:
Industry Speedway Race Director Kelly Inman presented all awards and cash envelopes to the six podium riders. He said the two division winners should receive more than $1,000 each after late sponsorship dollars are added to the total payout. The two winners also received a new speedway bike tire. All Silver Cup participants received cash envelopes. Landon Collins finished sixth in 250cc points and was amazed he received $153.
Podium finishers received the following:
150cc – P. 1 - $700, P. 2 - $500, and P. 3 - $375.;
250cc – P. 1 - $900, P. 2 - $700. and P. 3 - $575.
PIT NOTES:
> Silver Cup rider counts since the inaugural event in 2013 have been: 28, 29, 32, 31, 25 and 22 last year. The rider count was up this year to 27. There were 16 250cc riders (10 from Nor Cal, five from So Cal, and one from N.Y). There were 11 150cc riders (four from Nor Cal and seven from So Cal). The four rider main events had three from Nor Cal and one from So Cal in the 250cc main, while the 150cc main had two from Nor Cal and two from So Cal.
> Credit for starting the Junior Division AMA/FIM Silver Cup goes to Kelly Inman, Industry Racing Director, and the late Carol Perez, Industry Hills Expo Center executive.
> Max and Dillon Ruml, Junior Division graduates and now 500cc stars, attended the Silver Cup as usual and assisted junior riders.
> Free four-page printed programs were available for grandstand spectators and competitors in the pits. All heat race lineups were pre-printed and space was provided for tallying points in the 150 and 250 divisions.
> Silver Cup corporate sponsors this year included: Connor Concrete, Lynchburg Outdoors, Jay's Roofing, Mayhem Clothing, Race Day Images, Dan Gurney's All-American Racers, Bolt Tracker Motorcycles, Cody Racing, SpeedwayBikes.com, Lucas Oil, Big Time Speedway, and Fast Friends Foundation. Numerous individuals also contributed cash.
> 250 rider Dylan Wagner, from Napa, is the nephew of Division 1 champion Billy Janniro. He wore colorful leathers with the name of his uncle Janniro on the back.
> Sebastian Palmese, now 16 and a competitive 500cc Division 1 rookie, won the 250cc Silver Cup event three years in a row (2016-18). He was in the pits helping Jonny Oakden, 15, from Brockport, N.Y, and even loaned him a 250cc bike to race. Jonathan “Jonny” used his No. 309 on it and raced to a pair of seconds and a pair of thirds in his five heats. Jonny drove west with his 500cc Division 1 rider/step-dad and raced at Industry twice this summer. He flew from NY to LA just to race in the Silver Cup for the first time.
> NEW RIDERS—first-time at Industry Speedway: The honorary “Silver Cup rookie of the year” title could go to Mike McGrath, 8, from Fairfield. He had only seven or so races (all in Auburn) according to his dad. He rode a new Trac-Plus Cadet No. 34 and had white/orange/black Harley-Davidson-like leathers. Making the 150 main and finishing on the podium was impressive.
> Brady Landon, 9, is from Roseville. He only raced about four times prior to his first Industry race Sunday. His brand new Trac-Plus 150cc bike was in its second race. Past Industry Speedway 500cc Division 1 champion Charlie Venegas was helping them and others from Nor Cal in the pits. He said Nor Cal juniors are really dedicated and impressive.
> Angel Adriano, 15, is from Lake Elsinore in So Cal. His only race prior to the Silver Cup was once earlier this season at Perris Raceway. His sponsor and pit helper is 500cc Division 1 rider Mike Bloom (No. 22). They pit with fellow newcomer Ryder Schultz, from Menifee.
> All the usual Industry Speedway officials worked the Juniors Silver Cup event as did PA announcer Terry Clanton.
> Former No. 48 Division 1 500cc rider Tyson Talkington is now a PASSCAR super stock car racer in Perris. He recently had his No. 48 PAS stock car on display for speedway bike fans inside the Grand Arena front entrance.
> Some Nor Cal teams stayed overnight at the Pacific Palms Resort 11-story hotel on the Industry Hills Expo Center property where the Grand Arena also is located. The Cunningham family had a room on the 11th floor with a great view. Nor Cal teams had an eight hour drive home to the Auburn area north of Sacramento Sunday from 3:30 or so to about midnight. Riders have started the new school year already.
> The next race at Industry Speedway on Wednesday, August 14 is the 4th annual Junior Kurtz Memorial Cup event. A coveted Troy Lee Designs painted helmet in a Plexiglas container is awarded to the 500cc Division 1 feature winner.
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