Champions Will Vie for Title

For the first time, two Speedway world champions will be vying for the U.S. National Speedway Championship tonight at the Orange County Fairgrounds.

The speedway season ends with the premier national event featuring Costa Mesa’s Greg Hancock, who won this year’s World Championship in Europe, and Monrovia’s Billy Hamill, who won the title last year and finished second this year.

Hancock also won the national title in 1995.

Costa Mesa’s Bobby Schwartz (national champion in 1986, ‘89) and San Juan Capistrano’s Brad Oxley (1987), are among five former national champions trying to dethrone current champion Steve Lucero of Lompoc.

Lucero is one of three two-time national champions. He also won in 1988.

Other former national champions include Riverside’s Mike Faria (1990, ‘91) and Chris Manchester (1992).

Also in tonight’s field are Shawn McConnell of Brea, John Aden of Apple Valley, Ed Castro of Ojai, Charlie Venegas of San Bernardino, and Andy Northrup of Ontario.

Bart Bast, Bobby Hicks, Chad Felicio and Bobby Hedden represent Northern California. Bast was the Northern California points winner and has been racing at the Fairgrounds in recent weeks to prepare for the event.

Racing starts at 7:30 tonight. There are 20 races, allowing each rider to compete once against every other rider, with points assigned for order of finish. The top three riders after 20 races advance to the four-man championship race. The riders who finish 4-7 go to a one-race runoff in which the winner advances to the final. The champion is determined in one final race.

In past years, the champion was determined by the point totals.

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Speedway at a Glance

* What: Coors Light U.S. National Speedway Championships

* When: Tonight, beginning at 7:30. Gates open at 6:30

* Where: Orange County Fairgrounds

* Tickets: $7-18, available at gate. Children 5 and younger are admitted free.

* Notes: Twenty races determine the top seven finishers; the top three advance to the A Main final. Riders 4-7 go to the B Main, with the winner of that race joining the A Main to determine the national champion. Unlike past years, one final race, instead of a compilation of points, determines the champion. All 16 riders compete once against every other rider.

* For information: (714) 492-9933