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Photos below by Michael Phipps - MSD Photos
Photos below by Back It In Photos - Jim Thorn
Monster Energy World Speedway Race Report The inaugural Monster Energy World Speedway Invitational brought in a record setting, sellout crowd of over 4000 fans. The Monster Energy World Invitational lived up to expectations on Saturday night as 18 of the world's fastest riders took to the track inside Industry Racing's Grand Arena in front a record-setting, sellout crowd over 4,000 fans. After 23 events and a full night of racing, American rider Billy Janniro stood atop the podium for one of the biggest wins of his career. "Monster did a great job tonight," said Janniro. "I don't know how many thousands of people were here, but it was awesome. To win in front of everyone and for these Europeans to be here, it was a big achievement. I'm very happy." The 20 events that ultimately set up the pair of semi finals were full of drama, excitement, and the trademark competitive action that defines motorcycle speedway racing. Throughout each set of heats, the crowd stood on its feet, withstanding sub 50-degree temperatures and giving the riders all the support they could ask for. Ultimately, American rider Ricky Wells garnered the top seed going into the Semi Finals, winning four of his five events. He was joined by fellow Americans Janniro, Billy Hamill, Greg Hancock, and Charlie Venegas, along with Brits Edward Kennett and Scott Nicholls, while Swede Antonio Lindback rounded out the top eight riders that featured just three international competitors. Billy Hamill finished in fourth place overall."It was a good start to the night, I couldn't complain too much," said Wells. "I had a good setup and good people behind me and everything was just working really well for me. I think I started off the night really fast and carried it through." With exceptional talent filling each Semi Final, the action was sure to be some of the best of the evening as only the top two finishers from each would advance to the Final and the chance to be named winner of the inaugural Monster Energy World Speedway Invitational. In Semi Final 1, Hamill, a Monster Energy Athlete, made an impressive move coming out of the second corner to vault from third to first place heading into the third turn. He fended off Wells for the entire race, as the pair pulled away to solidify their spots in the Final. Semi Final 2 became a showdown between Janniro and Hancock, with both riders battling for the win and leaving their fellow riders well behind. The duo crossed the line mere inches apart to make it an all-American Final. The culminating race of the night became a battle of track position, with each rider's chosen lane at the start setting the foundation for a chance at victory in a four-lap sprint to the finish. As the top seed, Wells had first pick and selected the third lane, with Janniro lining up next to him in the second lane, Hamill on the far inside, and Hancock on the far outside. As the starting ribbon rose, Janniro positioned himself in the lead with a quick move inside as the riders jockeyed for momentum. He was closely followed by Hancock, who put forth an impressive challenge throughout the entire four-lap race but couldn't generate enough speed to make a pass. Behind them, the battle for third was equally as exciting with Wells slipping past Hamill on the final lap to claim the third spot on the podium. Greg Hancock was ecstatic that Monster Energy is helping lift American Speedway racing. He finished the night in second place behind Billy Janniro."I really wanted to win this one. This is the biggest event we've had here in the U.S. since the late 80's," exclaimed Hancock, a Monster Energy Athlete in the FIM Speedway Grand Prix. "This is one of the greatest events to be a part of for me, having Monster on board to support the sport here in the states. They have lifted this sport so much and for American Speedway this was a big hit. Just look at the crowd that turned out. I could talk all night about it. We're really grateful." In addition to the star-studded international battle of pros, the future of American Speedway also put on a show on the packed crowd with Mini 150cc and Junior 250cc competition. Courtney Crone provided one of the most memorable moments of the evening when she took the victory in the Mini 150cc class. Max Ruml was dominant in the Junior 250cc class, winning each Heat and the Main Event. "This was the start of something great for American Speedway," boasted Hamill."Monster has come on board and revived speedway, recognizing it's a pure form of racing like we saw tonight. It's very promising for our young riders and I think more kids that do other disciplines will take a long hard look at racing speedway now and see it as a big opportunity." With the biggest crowd ever seen at Industry Racing, it's safe to say that the Monster Energy World Speedway Invitational was a success and a fitting complement to the resurgence of motorcycle speedway in America. The fans welcomed the global group of riders with open arms and never left their seat, cheering on the world's best speedway riders through to the final checkered flag. "This event was unbelievable and a huge lift for the sport in America," added Hancock. "This is going to be a long term thing and it's the beginning of something great. There were a lot of people here looking at what this sport could be on this scale." "This is a great spectator sport," concluded Hamill. "There isn't a bad seat in the house, even with a big crowd like we had tonight. Its no-holds-barred racing and something I'm proud to be a part of, and I think this is something we will build off of here in America." Billy Janniro taking his victory lap after a tough battle. Monster Energy World Speedway Invitational Industry Racing – City of Industry, Calif. World Speedway Invitational Results Junior 250cc Results Mini 150cc Results JANNIRO WINS WORLD SPEEDWAY INVITATIONAL AT INDUSTRY – By Tim Kennedy INDUSTRY, Calif., Dec. 29 – The first Monster Energy World Speedway Cycle Invitational at Industry Speedway Saturday attracted a track record 5,500 spectators to the indoor dirt track in the covered Grand Arena at the Industry Hills Expo Center. The old attendance record of 3,000 was set August 29. After a rainy morning, a chilly mid-40s evening awaited newcomers to two-wheel racing and existing fans from speedway venues in Costa Mesa, San Bernardino, Victorville and Auburn. They converged on the Industry track and filled the parking lots shortly before rider introductions at 7:30 and the first of 23 races for pro riders at 8:00 p.m. Six races for junior riders also entertained fans and all races were telecast live on the Internet. Billy Janniro used the international format event to showcase his impressive racing skills. The 32-year old from Rancho Cordova won the last Industry main event—the annual California State Championship—on August 29. He is a three-time AMA US National Champion (2008-10-11), four-time SRA US National Champion (2004-08-10-11), and two-time British League Elite Champion (2005 and 07). The top eight riders in points Saturday divided the $18,000 purse posted by event promoter Monster Energy. The drink firm's hostesses presented trophies to the top three feature riders. The USA versus European riders invitational field featured nine USA riders against seven European 500cc speedway riders for individual honors. Teenagers Austin Novratil and Rocco Scopellite from the USA were reserves (alternates) to fill the 16 rider field if necessary for five rounds of four-lap heat races. Both reserves saw frequent action after hard crashes sidelined several riders. At an eighth-mile, Industry Speedway is smaller than the usual quarter mile tracks in Europe. USA riders were: Tyson Burmeister, Jimmy Fishback, Billy Hamill, Greg Hancock, Billy Janniro, Gino Manzares, Charlie Venegas, Ricky Wells and Bryan Yarrow. European riders came from four countries as follows: > Denmark – Hans Anderson, 31. > England – Edward Kennett, 26, and Scott Nicholls, 34. > Poland – Tomasz Gollob, 41, and Maciej Janowski, 21. > Sweden – Antonio Lindback, 27 and Fredrik Lindgren, 27. The European riders included three FIM Speedway Champions in their home country and four of the seven riders are FIM Speedway Grand Prix race winners. The field included three past FIM World Champions—Gollob (2010), Hamill (1996) and Hancock (1997 and 2011). All seven European riders at Industry finished in the top 24 in 2012 World Championship final points. Five of the top ten 2012 riders raced at Industry. Hancock finished third in 2012, Gollob fourth, Lindback seventh, Lindgren eighth and Andersen tenth. All riders started in each of the four lanes and faced different riders in their five heat races. The 20 heat race winners scored three points, with two, one and zero points for second through fourth finishers. Six heat race winners started in lanes two and four and four winners came from lanes one and three. Nine different riders won heat races. Wells won four, Venegas and Janniro had three each, Hamill, Hancock, Kennett and Nicholls won two each, and Yarrow won once. Reserve Novratil made a last lap, final turn inside pass for his lone heat victory. Two hard crashes in the first two heat race rounds sidelined Manzares. Other hard falls befell Lindgren, Nicholls and Fishback. Each rider reclined on the track briefly before walking to the pits. After winning his first four races and finishing second to Janniro in his fifth heat, Wells scored 14 points out of a possible 15 to earn high point honors. Three wins, a second, and third gave Janniro 12 points. Other riders in the top eight point positions after five rounds of heat racing sent 10-point riders Hamill, Hancock, Kennett and Nicholls to the two semi-final races (events 21-22). Venegas (nine points) and Lindback (eight points) were seventh and eighth highest in points and also earned outside lane starting spots in the twin semi-finals. Only the first two finishers in each semi-final advanced to the Monster Energy four-lap feature race (event 23). Hamill led all the way in the first semi to defeat Wells, Venegas and Kennett. Janniro led all four laps in the second semi and defeated Hancock, Nicholls and Lindback. The final race had an all-USA field. Hamill was on the pole with Janniro, Wells and Hancock in lanes two through four respectively. Janniro shot into the lead when the starting gate lifted. Hancock raced from lane four to second place on the outside before leaving turn two. Wells took third position from Hamill on the final lap with an inside pass leaving the fourth turn. Later, the top three riders stood on the front straight podium and poured champagne on well-wishers. Ten invited Junior Division riders were divided into five 150cc and five 250cc riders. Michael Wells won both 150cc heat races and Max Ruml won both 250cc heats. A pair of off-the-back flips onto his back at the starting gate sidelined Braydan Galvin. Another crash sidelined Kurtis Hamill in a multi-cycle crash. Courtney Crone, 11, won her first Industry 150cc feature in a five rider field. A crash on the first lap in turn four sidelined Wells and Maverick Molloy, resulting in three finishers. Max Ruml, 15, won the three-rider 250cc main after leading every lap over Broc Nicol and younger brother Dillon Ruml. The initial Monster Energy World Speedway Invitational attracted many open-wheel auto racing fans. Sprint car drivers Wally Pankratz and Cal Smith were in the stands Saturday. The escalating growth of speedway motorcycle racing popularity in California and the rousing success of the first Monster Energy event at Industry are sure to make it an annual event on the speedway cycle racing calendar. Americans Shine at Inaugural Monster Energy CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. (December 29,2012) – The Monster Energy World Invitational lived up to expectations on Saturday night as 18 of the world’s fastest riders took to the track inside Industry Racing’s Grand Arena in front a record-setting, sellout crowd over4,000 fans. After 23 events and a full night of racing, American rider Billy Janniro stood atop the podium for one of the biggest wins of his career. “Monster did a great job tonight,” said Janniro. “I don’t know how many thousands of people were here, but it was awesome. To win in front of everyone and for these Europeans to be here, it was a big achievement. I’m very happy.”
The20 events that ultimately set up the pair of semi finals were full of drama,excitement, and the trademark competitive action that defines motorcycle speedway racing. Throughout each set of heats, the crowd stood on its feet,withstanding sub 50-degree temperatures and giving the riders all the support they could ask for Ultimately,American rider Ricky Wells garnered the top seed going into the Semi Finals,winning four of his five events. He was joined by fellow Americans Billy Hamill, Greg Hancock, Charlie Venegas, and Billy Janniro, along with Brits Edward Kennett and Scott Nicholls, while Swede Antonio Lindback rounded out the top eight riders that featured just three international competitors. “It was a good start to the night, I couldn’t complain too much,” said Wells. “I had a good setup and good people behind me and everything was just working really well for me. I think I started off the night really fast and carried it through.”
With exceptional talent filling each Semi Final, the action was sure to be some of the best of the evening as only the top two finishers from each would advance to the Final and the chance to be named winner of the inaugural Monster Energy World Speedway Invitational. In Semi Final 1, Hamill, a Monster Energy Athlete, made an impressive move coming out of the second corner to vault from third to first place heading into the third turn. He fended off Wells for the entire race, as the pair pulled away to solidify their spots in the Final. Semi Final 2 became a showdown between Janniro and Hancock, with both riders battling for the win and leaving their fellow riders well behind. The duo crossed the line mere inches apart to make it an all-American Final.
The culminating race of the night became a battle of track position, with each rider’s chosen lane at the start setting the foundation for a chance at victory in a four-lap sprint to the finish. As the top seed, Wells had first pick and selected the third lane, with Janniro lining up next to him in the second lane,Hamill on the far inside, and Hancock on the far outside. As the starting ribbon rose, Janniro positioned himself in the lead with a quick move inside as the riders jockeyed for momentum. He was closely followed by Hancock, who put forth an impressive challenge throughout the entire four-lap race but couldn’t generate enough speed to make a pass. Behind them, the battle for third was equally as exciting with Wells slipping past Hamill on the final lap to claim the third spot on the podium. “I really wanted to win this one. This is the biggest event we’ve had here in the U.S. since the late 80’s,” exclaimed Hancock, a Monster Energy Athlete in the FIM Speedway Grand Prix. “This is one of the greatest events to be a part of for me, having Monster on board to support the sport here in the states. They have lifted this sport so much and for American Speedway this was a big hit. Just look at the crowd that turned out. I could talk all night about it. We’re really grateful.”
In addition to the star-studded international battle of pros, the future of American Speedway also put on a show on the packed crowd with Mini 150cc and Junior 250cc competition. Courtney Crone provided one of the most memorable moments of the evening when she took the victory in the Mini 150cc class. Max Ruml was dominant in the Junior 250cc class, winning each Heat and the Main Event. “This was the start of something great for American Speedway,” boasted Hamill.“Monster has come on board and revived speedway, recognizing it’s a pure form of racing like we saw tonight. It’s very promising for our young riders and I think more kids that do other disciplines will take a long hard look at racing speedway now and see it as a big opportunity.”
With the biggest crowd ever seen at Industry Racing, it’s safe to say that the Monster Energy World Speedway Invitational was a success and a fitting complement to the resurgence of motorcycle speedway in America. The fans welcomed the global group of riders with open arms and never left their seat,cheering on the world’s best speedway riders through to the final checkered flag. “This event was unbelievable and a huge lift for the sport in America,” added Hancock. “This is going to be a long term thing and it’s the beginning of something great. There were a lot of people here looking at what this sport could be on this scale.” “This is a great spectator sport,” concluded Hamill. “There isn’t a bad seat in the house, even with a big crowd like we had tonight. Its no-holds-barred racing and something I’m proud to be a part of, and I think this is something we will build off of here in America.”
Monster Energy World Speedway Invitational World Speedway Invitational Results Junior 250cc Results Mini 150cc Results Industry Racing at The Grand Arena |
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