May 22, 2026

Fast Friday’s Motorcycle Speedway

Auburn Ca.

Michael Kirby Story and Photos

The long off-season motorcycle speedway drought ended Friday night at the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn as Fast Friday’s Motorcycle Speedway opened its 31st speedway season with a grateful welcoming near capacity crowd of motorcycle racing enthusiasts. Just four days after the Auburn Pro Rodeo wrapped up their successful event last Sunday David Joiner and his talented and dedicated crew set about to transform the rodeo arena back to the professional racing track that we all know and love.

It was packed program including Division I scratch and handicap racing, Support Divisions, Youth 250cc Divisions, a three Youth 150cc divisions and of course the ever popular Pee-wee division.

For those that may not be familiar with this particular form of motorcycle racing, the bikes range from 500cc motorcycles down to junior riders on 250cc and 150cc bikes. Leaving the start gate and into the first turn where the riders fight for the lead they race around the 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 the Fast Friday’s track 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 people watching. Joiner and his staff have created a haven for racing fans who return week after week to Auburn and the Gold Country Fairgrounds to experience Fast Friday’s.

The tradition continued last Friday night as Fast Friday’s opened the 2026 season with a bang. If Friday night was an indication of what is the 2026 season will be like we’re in for a great time.

Broc Nicol, the 2024 and 2025 AMA National Speedway Championship showed the crowd why he sports the number one plate on his bike, started the season in fine fashion winning the scratch main event. Nicol was undefeated in the scratch program advancing to the main event with wins in his heat races, the semi’s and on to the main event. In the main he faced eleven-time AMA National Speedway Champion Billy Janniro, a talented young rider and 2025 AMA Youth 250cc National Championship Brady Landon, and not to be left out a very skilled veteran rider Timmy Dion.

Right out of the gate Nicol had control and was first to turn one. Following close behind was Janniro but as the race progressed Nicol increased the distance between himself and Janniro to one bike length, then two lengths as he sprinted to the finish line to win the first scratch main event of the season. Janniro was second, Landon was third and Dion fourth. I’m sure Nicol is looking for a national title three-peat this season and this is a great way to journey toward that goal.

In the handicap program it was Wilbur Hancock that got his first main event win of the season. Hancock, handicapped on the 10 yard line made his travel time from Southern California worth every mile winning the handicap main event. Second in both his handicap heat and semi-final races he 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 four though Armbruster swung wide in turn four and Brady Landon fell into second place but could not catch Hancock. The finishing order was Hancock, Landon, Timmy Dion.

Just a word on a rider who is really making a impact in the Division I program. Roseville resident Brady Landon won the 2025 AMA Youth 250cc Championship and this is 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 will not turn 16 years old until August that includes championships in the USA and in Europe. Landon began his racing at age seven. Keep an eye on the kid, he has earned a place and belongs with the best professions riders in the business which he showed on opening night, with a third place finish in the scratch main and second in the handicap main.

Catherine Moore had a stellar night in the D2 Support program winning all her races including the D2 Support main event. Moore was the Fast Friday’s 2025 Support Class points winner and she is off to a great 2026 start. Mike Newnham was second in the main followed by John Gauthreaux in third. Jeff Schoenstein was first in the Support D3 main event followed by Sean McAndrew in second 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 won the Youth D1 250cc main event. Second was Wesley Rearick, and third was Riley Rearick. Fast Friday’s track favorite Leeann Emerson found her way to the winner’s podium winning the Youth 250cc D2 main event. Justin Gist was second and Baylee Evans-Seely was third.

In a very large Youth 150cc Division, Liam Falcon won the Youth 150cc D1 Division main event. Second was Mason Howell followed by Brady Wills. Dexter Orlando won the Youth 150cc D2 main event. Ryder Faria took second place and Chance Farrow was third. Luke Seeger was first in the Youth 150cc D3 main event, Kaiden Boyd-Bews was second and Kaydence Craw was third.

It was a wonderful kick-off to what looks like to be another great season a Fast Friday’s. Be sure to be there this coming Friday May 29 when the Team Challenge series resumes along with a full racing program. See the best in team racing as the season long series begins. “Fast Friday’s the place to be on Friday nights.”