Schwartz Defeats Pfetzing, Wins U.S. Speedway Title

The new U.S. speedway motorcycle champion almost got into a fight with another rider after his last ride, nearly broke his hand punching a retaining wall in the pit area and cried when he jumped aboard the truck that would take him on a victory lap around the Orange County Fairgrounds.

But if you know Bobby Schwartz, you had to figure that was the way he was going to finally win the title Saturday night in front of 7,280 fans in Costa Mesa.

Schwartz finished tied for first place with Robert Pfetzing after five heat races with 14 points. That meant the title would be decided for only the second time in 19 years by a four-lap runoff.

The positions were decided by a coin flip and Pfetzing won the pole position. But it was Schwartz who got out to a quick lead and won the title after finishing second the past two years. Unfortunately, Schwartz’ victory celebration resembled more of a trip into the Twilight Zone.

When Schwartz took the traditional checkered flag lap around the track after defeating Pfetzing, one of the first riders out on the track to congratulate him was Steve Lucero. Somehow, the two almost got into a fight.

Schwartz took the checkered flag and shoved it into Lucero’s face. The two had to be separated.

Schwartz was fuming as he reached his pit area and punched a retaining wall. He was in tears as he walked over to Lucero’s pit area and confronted the only rider who had defeated him.

The two embraced and then Schwartz tearfully hopped aboard a truck that would take him on a victory lap. He later apologized to the crowd, but such is the world of Bobby Schwartz.

“Love him or hate him, we’ve finally got a people’s champion for the first time since Rick Woods won the title (in 1972),” Costa Mesa promoter Harry Oxley said. “Bobby is a one-of-a-kind.”

Schwartz has competed in the British Speedway League for the past eight years but has never qualified for the World Final, the ultimate prize in speedway. He plans to remain in the Southland next year after winning the title.

There also was a runoff for third place after Gary Hicks and Lucero tied with 10 points. Hicks won the coin toss and elected to start in the No. 2 gate position. The move paid off as Hicks easily won the race.