AMA national champ Nicol opens Fast Fridays season with Scratch victory

The long motorcycle speedway offseason ended Friday night at the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn, as Fast Fridays Motorcycle Speedway opened its 31st year with a grateful near-capacity crowd on May 22. Just four days after the Gold Country Pro Rodeo wrapped up its successful event, David Joiner and his talented and dedicated crew set about to transform the rodeo arena back to the professional racing track motorcycle fans know and love. The packed program included Division I scratch and handicap racing, support divisions, a youth 250cc division, three youth 150cc divisions and the ever-popular Pee Wee division. The bikes range from 500cc motorcycles down to junior riders on 250cc and 150cc bikes. Leaving the start gate and into the first turn, the riders fight for the lead around the one-eighth mile dirt track elbow to elbow for four or six laps. If that is not exciting enough, imagine doing this with no brakes. The atmosphere at Fast Fridays is intoxicating. It might be Mike Rooney, the best announcer in the business, skillfully calling the races and cracking jokes, the snack bar food, the smell of the racing fuel, the dust in the air or just the fans. Joiner and his staff have created a haven for racing fans who return week after week. If Friday night was an indication of what the 2026 season will be, fans are in for a great time. Broc Nicol, the 2024 and 2025 AMA national speedway champion, showed the crowd why he sports the No. 1 plate on his bike. Nicole started the season in fine fashion by winning the scratch main event. Nicol won his heat races and the semi to finish opening night unbeaten. In the main event, he faced 11-time national champion Billy Janniro, 2025 AMA Youth 250cc national champ Brady Landon and skilled veteran Timmy Dion. Nicol had control out of the gate and was first to turn one. Close behind was Janniro, but as the race progressed, Nicol increased the lead to one bike length, then two as he sprinted to the checkered flag. Janniro was second, Landon was third and Dion fourth. Wilbur Hancock won the handicap main event. Hancock, handicapped on the 10-yard line, made his travel time from Southern California worth every mile. Second in his handicap heat and semifinal races, Hancock transferred to the main event. As the gate went up, Hancock took the lead but was tailed by Darren Armbruster, who aggressively gave Hancock a run for his money. On lap 4 though, Armbruster swung wide in turn 4 and Landon fell into second place and could not catch Hancock. The finishing order was Hancock, Landon and Dion. Landon, a Roseville resident, is in his first year on a 500cc bike in Division I. He already has a long list of speedway racing accomplishments for a 15-year-old who won't turn 16 until August, including championships in the USA and Europe. Landon began racing at age 7. Keep an eye on the kid, he has earned a place and belongs with the best professional riders in the business. Catherine Moore had a stellar night in the D2 Support program, winning all her races, including the main event. Moore was the 2025 Support Class points winner. Mike Newnham was second in the main, followed by John Gauthreaux. Jeff Schoenstein was first in the Support D3 main event, followed by Sean McAndrew and Brian Ballard. Jameson Hutchinson, looking like a million bucks in his new racing suit, was perfect in the Youth 250cc D1 program. Hutchinson began racing in the Pee Wee program and has progressed to a skillful racer. Hutchinson was followed in the Youth 250 main event by Wesley Rearick, and third was Riley Rearick. Fast Fridays favorite Leeann Emerson found her way to the podium by winning the Youth 250cc D2 main event. Justin Gist was second and Baylee Evans-Seely was third. Liam Falcon won a very large Youth 150cc D1 main event. Second was Mason Howell, followed by Brady Wills. Dexter Orlando won the Youth 150cc D2 main event. Ryder Faria placed second and Chance Farrow was third. Luke Seeger won the Youth 150cc D3 main event, Kaiden Boyd-Bews was second and Kaydence Craw was third. Fast Fridays returns this Friday, May 29, with the Team Challenge series as part of a full program.