From a press release issued by AMA Sports:

SPRINGSTEEN AND OLIVER NAMED 2003 AMA HONOREES

PICKERINGTON, OHIO — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that two of the most successful riders in AMA racing history will be honored at this summer’s AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships and AMA Road Racing Grand Championships.

Jay Springsteen, arguably the greatest motorcycle dirt-track racer of all time, will be the Honoree at the 2003 AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships, to be held June 30 – July 6 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois.

Road-racing great Rich Oliver has been named as Honoree of the 2003 AMA Road Racing Grand Championships, scheduled for July 23-24 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

“Springer,” one of the most popular riders in AMA history, has amassed 43 national dirt-track victories — third on the all-time list — and has ranked among the nation’s top ten riders a remarkable 22 times. Although the 46-year-old Michigan native’s career is winding down (he calls the 2003 season his “Farewell Tour”), the three-time AMA Grand National Champion remains a threat every time he throws a leg over a bike.

Oliver is another ageless veteran, and as he approaches his 42nd birthday he’s riding a hot streak in the MBNA 250 Grand Prix class in which he’s earned four AMA Pro Racing championships. Amazingly, he remains unbeaten after six rounds of the 2003 championship season.

Oliver will conduct a seminar for participants in 2003 AMA Road Racing Grand Championships, which lead into AMA Pro Racing’s annual visit to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course July 25-27. Springsteen will meet with AMA Dirt Track Grand Championship riders on Thursday, July 3, between racing commitments in the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championships.

AMA Sports began the practice of naming an Honoree at its annual Dirt Track Grand Championships in 1998, and has honored Gene Romero, Bubba Shobert, Steve Morehead, Kentucky’s famed Hayden family and Chris Carr. This marks the first time an Honoree has been selected for the AMA Road Racing Grand Championships.

“We’re delighted to continue our tradition of honoring some of our sport’s top athletes this year, and extending that tradition to the road racing discipline,” said AMA Vice President of Events and Entertainment Bill Amick. “With Jay Springsteen and Rich Oliver as our selections, 2003 is going to be a tough act to follow.”