09/07/2026
This photo was taken 42 years ago next month at the United States National Speedway Championship at Costa Mesa. Three of my favorite people in Speedway are in the shot.
In the middle is three-time U.S. Open Speedway Champion Gene Woods. On the left, with his back to the camera, is five-time Mexican National Speedway Champion Robert Mendoza.
Then there is the 16-year-old kid on the right, sporting a straw hat that was apparently the height of Speedway fashion in 1984. Who in their right mind could have predicted that kid would grow up to become one of the most influential people in American Speedway and one of the sport’s best-ever promoters?
That kid is Kelly Inman, promoter of Industry Speedway.
A lot has changed in the 42 years since this photo was taken, but one thing hasn’t: Speedway has always depended on people who truly love the sport. We are very fortunate that Kelly has dedicated so much of his life to keeping American Speedway alive and moving forward.
Photo #412
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