Industry Hills Speedway
The Grand Arena
Industry Hills Expo Center
City of Industry, California
California State Speedway Championship
August 24, 2024 - Industry Hills Speedway
From Facebook and Staff
A full program with several different agendas the 2024 Industry Racing Season Final brought out a packed house. Festive and merry spectators packed the grandstands, consumed food and drink, interacted with racers, and relayed stories from day one to the present. All knew this last event would bring a close to a the 2024 speedway season as well as the retirement of one of our favorite racers here at Industry Racing in the City of Industry.
Top billing was the 47th California State Speedway Championship. A much desired title the field represented Americas top Speedway jockeys including the current State and 2019 AMA National Champion Broc Nicol along with 11 time AMA National and 5 time Ca State Champion Billy Janniro plus 2 time National Champion and 3 time Ca State Champ Max Ruml, and 3 time U.S. National and 2 time State Bobby Schwartz.
The remainder of the field was just as strong with 4 time U.S. Open Champion Shawn McConnell, 2 time U.S. National Champ Aaron Fox, the youngsters 2022 AMA Under 21 Champ Alex Martin, 2021 AMA Under 21 Slater Lightcap, plus a host of super-fast that included Russell Green, Timmy Dion, Charlie Trana, Fast Eddie Castro, Tim Gomez, Mark Fillebrown, Justin Almon, Michael Wells, Jordan Vanderham and Ely Medellin.
No argument that most of them could win but as any racer will tell you in the end Luck plays a big part in who will be Champion. Seems frequent rider contact while sliding high horsepower motorcycles that have no brakes around a small 1/8 mile dirt track requires an equal part skill and help from the Roman Goddess Fortuna. Commonly called Lady Luck even the best of the best require her smile to before any crown is worn.
Another major attraction on this night was the announcement by “Mad Dog” McConnell that after 50 years of racing he will retire and this event would be his last. A huge loss for our sport as Shawn McConnell is one of the most liked and skilled racers on the circuit. One of the wildest his wheelies and hanging off the bike style has created a fan base of loyal spectator followers. Extremely popular with the other competitors the man with dice showing the number 6 embroidered in his race suit will truly be missed by all.
The Championship event format consists of 5 rounds that equal 20 heat races. Each heat pays 3 points for a win, 2 for 2nd and 1 for 3rd. Once completed the top scoring 8 riders go into two separate Semi Finals. First and second from each Semi make up the Main Event. The Main winner then becomes the California State Champion.
Simple right. I don’t think so. Every rider wants this title and each heat is a war. There have been times when things are downright brutal but on this night the crashes were few and no ambulance trips were required. There’s a number of things that made it so but probably the main is that during the pre-race riders meeting referee Steve Lucero laid down the law about over aggressive contact and how those guilty would be removed.
Called “Bad Boy” when he raced Lucero’s a two time National and four time California State Championship and knows the game. He understands that contact and racing incidents happen but has no issue removing any racer crossing from fair to dangerous.
Round One had no surprises with #99 Broc Nicol, #14n Billy Janniro, #30n Alex Martin and #1 Max Ruml winning each of their first, 4 heat races.
Round two saw more action as #23 Charlie Trana slid out in Heat 5 as Billy Janniro kept his perfect score alive. In Heat 6, #30n Alex Martin lost control after contact with #137 Justin Almon in turn one of lap one. The referee call was first turn bunching and ordered a full restart that was won by Broc Nicol. Heat 7 had #46 Aaron Fox claiming his first victory of the evening. Heat 8 saw #214 Michael Wells crash in turn 4 as #28 Slater Lightcap collected his first win of the meet.
Round three, Heat 9 was a first win for racer Timmy Dion as Billy Janniro took his third in Heat 10. Fierce racing continued as Slater Lightcap crashed after contact with Charlie Trana in turn three. A full restart saw Lightcap claim his second victory of the night as did Max Ruml who finished first in the last heat of round 3.
The fourth round saw more contact as Timmy Dion crashed after contact with Justin Almon in turn 2. A full Heat 11 restart gave Aaron Fox his second win. Broc Nicol made the start in Heat 12 and never looked back as Northern California racers Alex Martin won Heat 13 and Russell Green Heat 14. An honorable mention for reserve # 178 Eloy Medellin who got his only ride of the night when he replaced Charlie Trana in heat race 14.
Having a good night the final round saw Alex Martin win Heat 15 as Broc Nicol took 16, Max Ruml 17 and Billy Janniro 18.
The eight high point Semi Final racers had Billy Janniro (14), Alex Martin (12), Slater Lightcap (10), Russell Green (9) in Semi 1 with Broc Nicol (14), Max Ruml (12). Aaron Fox (12), Timmy Dion (9) in Semi 2. First and second place winners from each Semi would transfer to the main.
Janniro on the pole got the start over Lightcap against the wall but the drive line proved to be in Slaters favor as #28 won the first Semi.
The second Semi required two starts as the referee was not happy with the first. Nicol on the pole took the start and held a commanding lead as Ruml on the outside got caught in a three rider sandwich that saw Dion crash in turn 4.
For the Main event one by one the four finalist walked to the starting gate as announcer Terry Clanton introduced each. This walk-about is a big deal as it allows the riders to feel the track. Each have their own ritual as they kick the dirt and read where the grip is best. The first rider staring position is decided by the high point racer. It’s followed by the 2nd high point choosing a gate, then the 3rd.
The lineup was Slater Lightcap on the pole, Billy Janniro in two, Max Rum three and Broc Nicol in the box next to the crash wall. When the tapes went up both Nicol and Ruml wheelied but Slater made a perfect start. Going into the first turn it was Slater, Janniro, Ruml and Nicol. Packed tighter than sardines in a tin Nicol was forced outside by Ruml and laid the bike down. Getting up Nicol thought the referee would do a restart but the restart never came.
Slater Lightcap led all four laps as Janniro and Ruml battled for 2nd. A tremendous victory Slater gave notice that a new generation of youngsters will be a force next season.
While Slater took a checkered flag lap and soaked in the accolades of victory a not so happy Broc Nicol and referee Steve Lucero were having words. Not sure how civil it all was but body language indicates the conversation was tense. Still the race had run, Slater Lightcap was the victor and in the end Nicol like every racer there congratulated the new champion.
Do need to visit three other items. First. the birthday of announcer Terry Clanton’s mother Mary Ann who celebrated her 95th here at Industry. A wonderful person everyone loves Mary Ann as she is the poster child of growing old with grace.
The second is the retirement of “Mad Dog” Shawn McConnell. In his last heat race of the night Shawn crashed and was plenty annoyed it happened. Fact is he was super mad at himself as he wanted to go out in glory not picking himself off the race track. Still the crowd and his fellow riders would not allow any self-pity as Shawn is the gold standard of nice, talent, skill, sharing, and teaching.
Picking himself up after his crash all the riders rushed the infield. They applauded as Shawn took a checkered flag lap and then did the hanging off the bike wheelies that are his trademark. The Thunderdome lived up to its name as everyone cheered and lined up for pictures with the Superstar. A momentous happening it will be told and retold for generations.
The third is promoter Kelly Inman. Very popular all respect the amount of time and effort he puts into Industry Racing and Speedway. His change from nighttime racing on Wednesday to Saturday has been well received and grown the spectator base. Thanks Kelly, we and this sport are proud of your accomplishment. A new 15 event 2025 schedule has already been announced and rumor is more dates will be added. Keep up on all the Industry Racing happening on Facebook.
As always video from this event and other events at Industry Racing and our sister track Costa Mesa Speedway can be seen on Facebook.
View all 225 pictures from the California State Championship Final on Facebook.
Thanks for listening, see you where the wheels go round.
Howie Zechner
California State Championship
1. 28 - Slater Lightcap
2. 14n - Billy Janniro
3. 1 - Max Ruml
4. 98 - Broc Nicol (fell)
Semi Final Heat 1
Slater Lightcap
Billy Janniro
Alex Martin
Russell Green
Semi Final Heat 2
Broc Nicol
Max Ruml
Aaron Fox
Timmy Dion
Mini 150 Main Event
22 - Ryder Schultz
15 - Hudson Jones
5 - Brandon Soto
44 - Brandon Kemmerly
175 - Morgan Myers
Pee Wee Main Event
28 - Camden Morris
3 - Mason Fox
167 - Julian Anagnos
256 - Wayllon Gomez
6 - Rohan Fife
64 - Roland Osborne
89 - Koa Noopheng (fell, remounted)
164 - Addie Summers (fell)
First Division Points
Max Ruml 15
Shawn McConnell 5
Bobby Schwartz 0
Eddie Castro 5
Billy Janniro 18
Timmy Dion 9
Slater Lightcap 16
Tim Gomez 7
Alex Martin 13
Aaron Fox 13
Charlie Trana 2
Mark Fillebrown 3
Broc Nicol 17
Justin Almon 4
Michael Wells 2
Russell Green 8
Jordan Vanderham R
Eloy Medellin R
Mini 150 Points
Brandon Soto 6
Hudson Jones 14
Ryder Schultz 7
Brandon Kemmerly 4
Morgan Myers 9
| 
