Speedway’s Hancock Undergoes Surgery After Long Beach Crash

SAN CLEMENTE — Speedway motorcyclist Greg Hancock of Costa Mesa underwent surgery Monday at Samaritan Medical Center to repair a broken left humerus bone that he sustained while racing at Long Beach Veterans Stadium Saturday night.

Hancock, 20, crashed on the second lap of a four-lap runoff that determined the winner of the American Final. After five heats Saturday, Hancock had tied Shawn Moran, Billy Hamill and Rick Miller with 18 points.

Hancock lost control and fell while trailing Moran and Hamill on Turn 3 of the quarter-mile track. Moments later, he was hit by Miller while lying on the track and the race was stopped.

During surgery, Dr. Richard Ridell of San Clemente put a steel plate in Hancock’s left arm. Ridell said Hancock will be out for a month to six weeks.

Hancock will be replaced by Ronnie Correy of Fullerton in the Overseas Final, June 24 in Coventry, England. Correy became the reserve rider after finishing fifth in the American Final. The Overseas Final is the second of four qualifying rounds that lead to the world championship.