Armbruster, 16, is youngest to win Fast Fridays endurance race

On the eve of one of the most challenging endurance events in the world, the Western States Endurance Run, Fast Fridays Motorcycle Speedway staged its own endurance event. Auburn has earned the moniker being the "Endurance Capital of the World," staging events as the Western States 100-mile run, Tevis Cup 100-mile horse ride and other events. Not be left out, Fast Fridays held its annual 25-lap handicap main event on June 27. A handicap race normally lasts maybe two minutes, but the 25-lapper runs more than five minutes and stresses the strength of machine and rider. For this special race, all of the handicap yardages are doubled so riders normally handicapped to the 20-yard line would start on the 40-yard line. The winner is named Fast Fridays' "Iron Man," a title he can sport for the entire season, and Darren Armbruster 16, outlasted all the riders in this endurance test. Armbruster was the youngest rider in the field and the youngest to accomplish this feat. Armbruster earned this title in his first year riding a 500cc motorcycle in division 1. He was the 250cc AMA Youth National Champion in 2023 and 2024. Dripping sweat after finishing the race and talking to announcer Mike Rooney, Armbruster's first words were, "My arms are on fire." The lead was shared by numerous riders, and Armbruster was always in contention waiting for his chance, which came about midway throughout the race. Once in the lead, Armbruster was tasked with keeping the likes of Billy Janniro, Gregory Moore, Wilbur Hancock and Broc Nicol behind him. Janniro again earned "Fastest Man of the Night" by winning the scratch main event for the fourth time this season. On lap two, Anthony Dion and Janniro tangled, with both riders going down, and Dion was excluded for causing the mishap. Janniro took the lead on the restart, with Nicol on his tail, and led all the way to the finish line. Through week eight of the season, Janniro and current AMA National Speedway Champion Nicol are the only riders to have won scratch main events, each with four. Nicol was second, Russell Green was third and Dion was fourth. Cody Aker took the Support Main Event for the third time this season. Catherine Moore was second and Hunter Castillo was third. Aker was perfect and in great form, also winning his heat races. Brady Landon was again the victor in the Youth 250cc D1 main event, though Jameson Hutchinson gave him a run for the money. Landon also won all his heat races. The win was his third in a row since returning to Fast Fridays from racing overseas. Hutchinson was second and Wesley Rearick was third. Caden Cavrikas won the Youth 250cc D2 main event, his first win of the season, followed by Gracie Janniro and Baylee Evans-Seeley. In the Youth 150cc divisions Zander Schroeder won the D1 division, Mason Howell was second and Brady Wills was third. Leeann Emerson finally got to the winner's podium by capturing Youth 150cc D2. Leeann gives it her all each week and with strong fan support pulled off this win. Gavin Evans-Seeley was second and Zeva Schroeder third. Young Ryder Faria won his first main event in Youth 150cc D3. Again working through the Pee Wee program to the 150cc class, Faria took home a big trophy. William Bruce was second and Dexter Orlando was third. This Friday's races on July 4 will be part of the city of Auburn and Gold Country Fairgrounds' Independence Day festivities. A full racing program will feature the return of the Extreme Sidecars for their third of five appearances at Fast Fridays. Racing will start at 7 p.m. Fireworks will close the fun after the races.