Incredible Heat Race Lineup with Rainey, Spencer, Springsteen, Filice and Poovey
Anticipation was incredibly high as fans came to their feet to watch the opening race of the evening program at the 1981 Houston Short Track AMA Grand National. Space was always at a premium on the 14-rider National grid, even more so when it was a short track since only the top two finishers from the six heats earned transfers. This photo shows riders Wayne Rainey (60), Freddie Spencer (19), Jay Springsteen (9), Jimmy Filice (17Z) and Terry Poovey (18) just about ready to drop the hammer for the night’s first Heat race. Springsteen gave a preview of things to come with his win in the Heat, taking the pole for the Grand National in the process.
Rainey charged out front for three laps on his Kawasaki before Poovey and Springsteen both got by. “Springer” then worked on Poovey from an outside line and outran Poovey down the back stretch on lap seven for the lead and the win. Poovey settled for second. Notable retirements were Jimmy Filice of the Yamaha camp with a fried clutch which led to a broken chain on the start and Team Honda’s Freddie Spencer who had a suspected seized engine. Later that evening Springsteen went on to win the national aboard his Harley-Davidson.
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