Throwback Thursday: Jay Springsteen Wins Louisville Half-Mile National (1979)

Larry Lawrence | January 2, 2025

“Springer” Joined on the Podium by Fellow Michigan Riders Scott Parker and Randy Goss

In this week’s Throwback, we dial back the clock to June of 1979. Harley-Davidson factory rider Jay Springsteen was on a hot streak. His victory here on the crushed limestone of Louisville Downs was his third consecutive national win, coming straight from victories on the half-miles at Ascot Park and Laurel, Maryland. In Louisville Springsteen led every lap en route to a convincing win. The points he gained during that winning streak pulled him within 21 points of series leader Steve Eklund, but Eklund remained steady the rest of the season to eventually win the AMA Grand National Championship over Springsteen. Here Springsteen (center) pops the cork with Parker (left) and Goss (right) still working on their champagne as Miss Winston Lynn Griffis looks on.

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