Hancock clinches '03 AMA National Speedway Championship

Story by Bill Amick, photos by Ron Salter

Oct. 1 – Greg Hancock (right) is anything but an unlikely champion in the spectacular sport of Speedway motorcycle racing—the 32-year-old Californian's resume includes one FIM World Championship and a pair of AMA National Championships.

Nevertheless, Hancock's latest AMA National Speedway Championship—secured on September 26 at Fast Fridays Speedway in Auburn, California—marked an unlikely end to the 2003 AMA season.

Going into the final event of the AMA National Speedway Series Presented by Progressive Insurance, it figured to be a showdown between defending champion Billy Hamill, a wily veteran, and young charger Ryan Fisher. They entered the event separated by just two points, with another young lion, Billy Janniro (below, right), five points out of the lead. Hancock was seven points off the pace and his longshot chance at the title hinged on him winning everything in sight while Hamill failed to qualify for the all-important "A" Main event.

Unlikely.

But it happened.

Hancock, currently the world's sixth-ranked rider, was in superb form all night. He won four of his five qualifying heats to lock up the pole position for the "A" main and keep his title hopes alive. And his old friend Hamill (right) cooperated, having a rare off night and settling for a win in the "B" main event.

Lining up alongside Hancock for the "A" Main were Fisher and Janniro, who were both still very much in contention for the championship, and former champ Mike Faria. Fisher was in the catbird's seat and could control his destiny with a win. But Hancock was the class of the field in the four-lap sprint, leading Fisher, Janniro and Faria to the tapes.

When the AMA officials tabulated the series results, Hancock and Fisher (left) were deadlocked for the points championship, so the title would be decided by a four-lap runoff.

The standing-room-only crowd at Fast Friday's Speedway nearly brought the roof off the grandstand as Hancock brought a quick end to Fisher's quest of an AMA National Championship to go along with the Junior National Championships he won earlier in his career.

Fisher was quick, but Hancock was not to be denied, leading from flag to flag.
The 2003 AMA National Speedway Championships ended with Hancock on top with 35 points and a tie-break win over Fisher, followed closely by Hamill with 33 points, Janniro with 32 and Faria with 25. All five earned automatic bids to the AMA 2004 National Championship Series.

2003 AMA NATIONAL SPEEDWAY SERIES
FINAL ROUND RESULTS
SEPTEMBER 26, 2003 - AUBURN, CALIFORNIA

Elimination Round - Brian Yarrow and Bartek Bardecki advanced.

Qualifying Round Results
1. Greg Hancock, 14 points (earned one series bonus point); 2. Mike Faria and Ryan Fisher, 12 points; 4. Billy Janniro, 11 points; 5. Billy Hamill, 9 points; 6. Chris Manchester, Bobby Hedden and Bart Bast, 8 points; 9. Eddie Castro, Brian Yarrow and Scott Brant, 7 points; 12. Charlie Venegas, 6 points. 13. Eric Carrillo, Tommy Hedden and Bartek Bardecki, 3 points; 16. Bobby Schwartz, 0 points, retired after first round.

Championship Round Results
A Main - Hancock, Fisher, Janniro, Faria.
B Main - Hamill, Bast, Bobby Hadden, Manchester.
C Main - Brant, Yarrow, Castro, Venegas.
D Main - Tommy Hedden, Carrillo, Bardecki, Schwartz (DNS).

Runoff for AMA National Championship
1. Hancock. 2. Fisher.

© 2003, American Motorcyclist Association