Summary
Scott Brian Autrey (born July 9, 1953)[1] is an American former professional motorcycle speedway rider. In 1976, he became the first American rider to reach a speedway world final since Ernie Roccio in 1951.[2]
 | |
| Born | Scott Brian Autrey 9 July 1953 Maywood, California, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Career history | |
| 1973-1979 | Exeter Falcons |
| 1980 | Swindon Robins |
| 1981-1982 | Poole Pirates |
| Individual honours | |
| 1978 | Daily Mirror Golden Hammer |
| 1978, 1979, 1980 | Strongbow Golden Gauntlets |
| 1978, 1979 | Daily Express Spring Classic |
| 1979 | Daily Mirror/Berger Grand Prix |
| 1980 | Midland Riders Champion |
| Team honours | |
| 1974 | British League Winner |
| 1978 | Spring Gold Cup Winner |
| 1982 | World Team Cup winner |
Motorcycle racing career edit
Born in Maywood, California, Autrey began his motorcycle racing career in 1964 by competing in flat track racing at Perris Auto Speedway.[3] In 1968, he had a major off-road racing victory when he won the 100cc class in the Rosarita Grand Prix in Mexico. He also competed in road racing, placing second in the novice road race class held before the 1971 Daytona 200.[4]
In 1972, Autrey finished second in the United States Speedway National Championship.[2] After witnessing the 1972 Individual Speedway World Championship in Wembley Stadium, he made the decision to concentrate fully on speedway racing.[2] In 1973, Autrey was recommended by Ivan Mauger to join the Exeter Falcons – with whom he won the British League title in 1974 – Swindon Robins, and the Poole Pirates in England.[5][2][6][7]
He finished 3rd in the 1978 World Speedway Championship at Wembley and won the World Team Cup with the USA in 1982.[8] He retired from the sport at the end of 1982 at a relatively young age.
Automobile racing career edit
After his two-wheeled racing career ended, he became a NASCAR driver who made one Nextel Cup start. He competed in the Winston West Series full-time. That Cup race came in 1985, when Autrey started 29th in the forty-one car field, where he dropped out late with transmission issues. He finished 34th as a result.
World Final appearances edit
Individual World Championship edit
- 1976 -
Chorzów, Silesian Stadium - 9th - 7pts - 1978 -
London, Wembley Stadium - 3rd - 11pts + 3pts
World Team Cup edit
- 1980 - Wrocław, Olympic Stadium (with Bruce Penhall / Dennis Sigalos / Bobby Schwartz / Ron Preston) - 2nd - 29pts (9)
- 1982 - London, White City Stadium (with Bruce Penhall / Bobby Schwartz / Kelly Moran / Shawn Moran) - Winner - 34pts (0)
World Longtrack Final edit
- 1978
Mühldorf (11th) 9pts
References edit
- ^ Oakes, Peter; Mauger, Ivan OBE, MBE (1976). Who's Who of World Speedway. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. ISBN 0-904584-04-6.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d Edwards, Andrew (1977). Autrey Reached For The Stars. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ "Trailblazers Hall Of Famer 2018: Scott Autrey". motorcycle.com. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
- ^ Kocks, Rick (1971). The 1971 Daytona Classic. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- ^ Lethbridge, Tony (January 2004). Speedway in the South West. NPI Media Group. ISBN 0-7524-2915-9.
- ^ Beasley, J. (2003) Poole Pirates Speedway, Paleface Publications. ISBN 0-9539608-9-7
- ^ Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5
External links edit
- Scott Autrey driver statistics at Racing-Reference