Champion Speedway

344 East River Drive
Owego, New York 13827

Patrick Ahlund Spring Classic
Champion Speedway May 4, 2024
From Jason Bonsignore

Champion Speedway decided at the last minute to try and kick off its 50th Season a week earlier than originally planned and it proved to be the right decision as a huge turnout of competitors showed up for the Patrick Ahlund Spring Classic, along with a larger than expected, with the overcast weather, spectator crowd. Nearly 40 Speedway racers, including 11 Junior riders, plus 28 ATV's had the pits full!

The track staff ran all those races in exactly 3 hours and the program concluded at 10:30. The last 20 minutes of events, including the features, ran in the rain which made for a different type of traction than normal for most. Despite the heavy downfall, the track remained raceable with a slick inside and heavy outside.

In Division two, newcomer Albert Smith, in his second season, came all the way from the 60 yard line to pass the Red Rooster Brian McManamon on the last lap for the win! Rooster, last season's Track Point Champion, had also overcome a 40 yard handicap and passed 4 other riders for second.

In the scratch main, former track champion, Spencer Portararo blasted a borrowed JAWA powered bike into the lead and rode the track super fast as though it were dry conditions. Casey Donholt, the current track champion from last season, made a good stat but slid out and fell and was officially credited with 4th as he got up and finished. Former 5-time track Champion, Adam The Missile Mittl, made a solid start and followed Portararo around but could not overtake the Justice Brothers/Harman Boyz Racing/Cloud 9/Tanks Auto/Joe V's Auto Repair sponsored rider and Portararo took home his first ever Ahlund Spring Classic which honors the former Canadian/Swedish rider and friend, who was killed in an auto accident in 2003 in Sweden. Mittl was second. Young Levi The Hornet Harris of Windsor took 3rd overall. Caleb Stewart of Apalchin was 5th.

Champion runs again Saturday May 11th, before taking a week break prior to its HUGE 50th Anniversary Celebrations and OUTLAW US NATIONALS, May 25 and 26th! Current and former star riders are coming from all over the Country and Canada for it and the live band Wreckless Marci will be paying Sat after the races along with special hall of fame inductions and vintage displays, it promises to be a great weekend!!!

More information at www.eastcoastspeedway.com

Spencer Portararo

Results
1. Spencer Portararo
2. Adam Mittl
3. Levi Harris
4. Casey Donholt
5. Caleb Stewart

Division 2
1. Albert Smith
2. Brian McManamon
3. Chloe Schnurr
4. Kenny Dahlin
5. Scott Vargo

Division 3
1. Hunter Wagner
2. Cody Pierce
3. Zach Ostrander
4. Chris Hulbert
5. Austin Carlsson
6. Adam Mittl Jr

Junior Division 1
1. Cody Pierce
2. Lilly Cornell
3. Joel Farwell
4. Macoley Saunders

Junior Division 2
1. Kabriel Howard
2. Jake Kilmer
3. Jenson Pierce
4. Gracie Bailey
5. Mikki Card