US Speedway series ready to roll

From the American Motorcyclist Association

PICKERINGTON, OH -- The 2009 AMA Racing/USA Speedway National Championship will fire off the line Saturday, June 6, when the series gets underway at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, CA.

An impressive field of racers will battle for the title in this year's three-round championship, which will continue the action at Fast Fridays Motorcycle Speedway in Sacramento, CA, on July 10 and Oct. 2.

Included in that lineup is 1997 Speedway World Champion and seven-time AMA National Champion Greg Hancock. Hancock, who is currently third in the European-based World Speedway Grand Prix Series, lives in Costa Mesa and said he was excited about racing in front of his hometown crowd.

"I started my career here in the Costa Mesa bullring as a junior, and won my first AMA National Championship here in 1995," said Hancock, who is currently tied in championships -- at seven -- with motorcycle speedway legend Mike Bast. "Now I want to be the first American to win an eighth U.S. National Speedway title."

Defending AMA National Champion Billy Janniro, however, said Hancock will have his hands full with the national-caliber field.

"Forget what Hancock says," Janniro said. "I'm winning that No. 1 plate again this year, and nothing's going to stop me."

Janniro won all three rounds in last year's AMA National Championship Series, and has been strong in his early showings this season.

Two-time U.S. Under-21 National Champion Ricky Wells, 17, will be another contender. Wells is returning to the United States after leaving the country to race for the Coventry Bees in the British Elite League earlier this year.

"I can beat those guys," said Wells, who in 2007 at the age of 15 became the youngest winner of the Costa Mesa Fair Derby race. "I'm flying in from England, and I don't plan on losing."

A 22-rider field is expected to compete for the $10,400 cash purse, plus contingencies.