Lucero to Defend Speedway Title at Fairgrounds

The largest crowd of the season is expected for the 21st Fair Derby speedway motorcycle race at 8 tonight at the Orange County Fairgrounds.

Defending champion Steve Lucero of Riverside will compete against favorites Bobby Schwartz of Costa Mesa, Mike Faria of Colton, Brad Oxley of San Clemente and Phil Collins of Manchester, England, in an all-scratch racing format.

The winner will be awarded the Fair Derby trophy, a bronzed straw hat that was once owned by former racing star Sonny Nutter.

Fans will be admitted beginning at noon with access to all the fair attractions and exhibits. Last year’s race drew 7,100; the 1988 Fair Derby drew 6,810.

Through 15 weeks of racing, Schwartz, the defending U.S. champion, has won five scratch main events. Lucero has won four, Faria three, and newcomer Collins won last week for the first time.

Attendance at the weekly meets has increased about 12% above last season’s total, with 62,552 fans attending 15 meets for an average of 4,170 each Friday night.