Champion Speedway

344 East River Drive
Owego, New York 13827

East Coast Speedway Series
Larry and Kathy McBride Memorial
McBride Wins His Parents Memorial Race
Windsor resident back in the winner's circle
Champion Speedway, Owego, NY
August 3, 2019

The Larry and Kathy McBride Memorial is held each season at Champion Speedway. Larry was the track videographer at Champion Speedway and Action Park East for years and also wrote all the race reports for the local papers. Kathy was a dedicated scorer at both facilities. They were not only important helpers at the races but their sons, Tuff and Lenny of Windsor, NY, are two of the best riders the East Coast ever produced! Tuff was the most successful Eastern rider to take part in the very tough California Speedway circuit in it's heyday in the mid to late 80's, racing 5 nights a week at one point, Lenny is a 4-time track Champion at Champion Speedway and also a former Canadian National Champ! Both are still currently racing, although Tuff is out presently with an inured hand. Both have won the Handicap portion of their parents event in the past but have narrowly missed the scratch championship in recent years. Lenny, who made his most recent comeback 3 years ago after an 8 year layoff, has been very strong this season and has been peaking at the right time heading into this event!

It was decided prior to the start that the winner of Second Division on the night would be named on the plaque as the handicap champ, which has been done in some years, and Division One would be all scratch. 3 heat rounds and finals would take place.

At the conclusion of the heats it was McBride and Casey Donholt with perfect scores followed by Adam "The Missile" Mittl, who had only dropped one point, and Spencer Portararo, who had dropped two. They would automatically go to the Main Event.

The next 4 riders Brian Hollenbeck, Jeremy Parsons, Jonny Oakden, Dave Oakden and Mason Higley, would be seeded to the B Final or last Chance. Parsons made the start and led for several laps until hitting a hole in the track and going wide which opened the door for a Hollenbeck win! He would be the final rider in the Main.

McBride won the coin toss for first gate choice in the final and chose gate 4. Donholt would then choose number 5. Mittl took 3 and Portararo 1 with Hollenbeck left with 2.

McBride made the perfect start on his Moonbeam/Justice Bros/Arai/Oury/Cobras/Scotts Headers/Tanks Auto GM powered rocket and ran the dirt line into the corner. He rode a flawless race as he distanced the lead and fittingly took home the McBride Memorial Championship!!! Mittl, the 5-time track champ was a solid second, with the young gun Portararo third, Hollenbeck fourth and Donholt fifth.

Young Mason Higley was the Second Division Title taker, Dale Robinson won Third Division and completing the night for Windsor, NY residents were Levi "The Hornet" Harris taking first in the Junior Speedway class and Dylan "Little Outlaw" Hawk winning his Third Pro Quad Main in a row!

The next event's on the East Coast Calendar are Friday, August 16th at Action Park East, The Speedway Joe Cup, and Saturday August 17th, The Hank Bassett US SGP RD 3, at Champion Speedway! Both events should be some great racing!

Larry and Kathy McBride Memorial

A Final
1. Lenny McBride
2. Adam Mittl
3. Spencer Portararo
4. Brian Hollenbeck
5. Casey Donholt

B Final
1. Brian Hollenbeck
2. Jeremy Parsons
3. Jonny Oakden
4. Dave Oakden
5. Mason Higley

Division 2
1. Mason Higley
2. Mike Cortese
3. Levon Herundees
4. Ray Schweiger

Division 3
1. Dale Robinson
2. Ray Schweiger
3. Dillon Fiske
4. Alexis Heath
5. Jamal Kelly

Juniors
1. Levi Harris
2. Joel Farwell
3. Brianna Hursh

Action Photo of Len McBride by Brian Walsh, group photo

Left is speedway champion, Tuff McBride, center is 4-time track champ and winner Len McBride, right is track Promoter Jason Bonsignore