INDUSTRY HILLS, CA

Tommy Hedden (40, above) won his first Southern California main event of 2009 as Industry Speedway hosted many of America's greatest speedway riders at its Night of Legends.

Hedden made the best start from gate two and led the field into turn one. "Fast Eddie" Castro chased after the Northern Californian on the first lap but couldn't find a way past. Hedden maintained a tight inside line the entire distance, never made a mistake, and was first to the checkered flag. Castro settled for second, "Flyin' Mike" Faria finished third, Shawn "Mad Dog" McConnell was fourth, and "Battling Buck" Blair was credited with fifth.

The Night of Legends welcomed back many riders from speedway's past, but was undoubtedly headlined by two-time World Champion Bruce Penhall. Penhall did several laps alone before taking part in an exhibition match race with Gino Manzares, a rider whom the icon has mentored this season. Penhall also announced that the helmet he was wearing would be auctioned on eBay, with the proceeds going to the USA Dream Team tour of Britain in October.

The more than two dozen riders in attendance included former National Champions Rick Woods and Kelly Moran and former Under 21 Champion Ron Preston. Billy Meister, Doug Nicol, Dubb Ferrell, Andy Northrup, Steve Murray and Billy Gray participated in exhibition match races. Gray drew the biggest ovation by turning some pretty impressive laps at 71 years old. The legends were stationed near the entrance to the facility and graciously signed autographs and posed for pictures for the long lines of fans that patiently waited to see their favorites of years past.

Jimmy "Little Animal" Fishback opened the heats by defeating Hedden. Faria, a legend himself, was awarded the victory in the second heat. Blair beat Castro in the third heat. McConnell ended round one with a victory over Brad Pappalardo.

Jason Ramirez passed Bobby Schwartz for an impressive victory to begin round two. Tyson Burmeister held off McConnell to win the next heat. Fishback made it two in a row with a win over Russell Green. Faria trapped from the outside and held off Blair to end the second round with his second win.

Blair started off the final round by beating Fishback. Burmeister beat Faria for his second straight win. Schwartz defeated Hedden to win the penultimate heat. McConnell defeated Pappalardo in the final heat.

Castro won a four-rider run-off to earn the final spot in the semis.

Hedden made a great start from the outside in the first semi and led Faria all the way into the main event. McConnell and Castro finished one-two in the second semi to book their place in the main. Blair won the last-chance qualifier to earn the final place in the main.

Joey Holt led the Second Division main event before Kyle Hicks (above) went by on the back straight. Hicks held off his fellow teenager the rest of the way for an impressive victory.

Justin Weeks (above) led from start to finish and captured the Third Division main-event victory for the second week in a row.

National Champions Joe Jones & Jimmy Olsen (above) were victorious in the Sidecar main event.

Results

SDCR: 1. Joe Jones/Jimmy Olsen; 2. Gerard Jackson/Dave German; 3. Sean Driggers/Missy Driggers; 4. Brian Motis/Brandi McElroy.

D-3: 1. Justin Weeks (GM); 2. Chris Jones (JAWA/CZ); 3. Mike Schultz (JAWA/CZ); 4. Gene Stone (JAWA/CZ).

D-2: 1. Kyle Hicks (GM); 2. Joey Holt (JAWA/CZ); 3. Drew Coats (JAWA/CZ); 4. Steve Bowen (JAWA/CZ); 5. Brad Moreau (JAWA/CZ).

D-1 LCQ: 1. Buck Blair (JAWA/CZ); 2. Jason Ramirez (JAWA/CZ); 3. Tyson Burmeister (GM); 4. Jimmy Fishback (JRM).

D-1 MAIN: 1. Tommy Hedden (GM); 2. Eddie Castro (JAWA/CZ); 3. Mike Faria (JAWA/CZ); 4. Shawn McConnell (JAWA/CZ); 5. Buck Blair (JAWA/CZ).