Extreme sidecars, Landon provide fireworks at Fast Fridays

Fast Fridays Motorcycle Speedway moved to Saturday night on July 4 to participate in Auburn's observance of the nation's 250th anniversary. After a day of activities, including a parade in downtown Auburn, speedway fans filled the Gold Country Fairgrounds McCann Stadium for a night of fantastic racing and more patriotic activities. A giant American flag was carried to the infield by the riders and held high while the "Star-Spangled Banner" was sung wonderfully by Lincoln resident Penelope Hagman. Racing included the second visit of the season by the Extreme Sidecars and ended just in time for the fantastic fireworks display. Coming into week seven, young Brady Landon was hot off a championship performance in the FIM SGP3 Youth Speedway World Championships in Poland two weeks ago. Landon placed second in the world championship and gained more valuable experience at a top level of speedway racing. Landon picked up his first main event win of the season in the scratch program. In the world championship, Landon competed on a 250cc speedway bike because he is not quite 16 years old, but at Fast Fridays, he bumped up to a 500cc bike and is very capable with the extra power. Landon won his scratch heat race and was second in his semifinal. In the main event, Landon faced Darren Armbruster, Billy Janniro and Timmy Dion. Out of the gate, all the riders bunched up in turn 1, but Landon found a way out of the traffic jam to take the lead, which he held until the finish line. Dion was second, Armbruster was third and Janniro fourth. Danny Faria won the handicap main event, also his first of the season. Faria was fourth in his heat and second in his semifinal. Landon gave Faria a run for his money, finishing second. Dion was third. Robert and Laurie Curry won the Extreme Sidecar main event. The experienced duo won four of the five heats and placed second in the other heat. They led the main event from the start gate with the team of Wade Boyd and Eric Lindauer in second place. The Currys hugged the inside of the track for the remaining laps and powered to the finish line. Boyd and Lindauer were second, and Matt Walters and Jonny Estrada were third. Mike Newnham picked up his second main event win in a row in the Support D2 division. Mechanical problems kept Newnham from finishing his first heat before winning his second heat. Newnham faced a serious challenge from Antonio Coffman for most of the main, but Coffman's efforts fell short. Coffman was second and Brandon Hendrickson was third. Cody Baugh picked up his second main event win in the Support D3 class. Dion was second and first-time Fast Fridays rider Austin Brightwell was third. Liam Falcon won the Youth 150cc D1 feature. Falcon and Mason Howell have challenged each other since the beginning of the season. Howell won the previous three meetings before Falcon claimed his second of the season. Howell was second and Brady Wills was third. Hank Hanaway found his way to the winner's podium in the Youth 150cc D2 main event. The win was his first of the season after finishing second numerous times. Luke Seeger was second and Dexter Orlando was third. Kaiden Boyd-Bews won the Youth 150cc D3 main event for the third time. Boyd-Bews trailed Kaydence Craw for most of the race and made a swift move on the last lap to pass. Craw was second and Mason Latham was third. Jameson Hutchinson won the250cc D1 main event, his fourth. Caden Cavrikas was second and Justin Gist was third. Leeann Emerson won the Youth 250cc main event for the fifth time. She has won all but two main events this season. Colton Cooper was second and Baylee Evans-Seeley was third. The Team Challenge continues this Friday, July 10, with round four. The Law Tigers hold a five-point lead over Team IFC.