FORT RILEY – Fort Riley hosted two professional drag bike racers, who signed autographs and handed out hundreds of complimentary tickets to unsuspecting Soldiers and their Families, June 28 in front of the AEFES Post Exchange.

The tickets were two-day passes to the American Drag Racing League competition, July 3 and 4, at Heartland Park, Topeka. The ADRL teamed up with the National Guard Bureau to distribute thousands of complimentary tickets for the event.

Fifteen-year racing veteran Steve Smithers of Olathe, and Staff Sgt. James Hubbard, a fellow racer and Kansas Army National Guard Soldier from Topeka, as well as three crew members were on hand to give out the free tickets and talk with motorcycle enthusiasts.

The National Guard chose Fort Riley as one of its stops, not only because it is the home of the Big Red One, Hubbard said, but also because of the support the installation provides to National Guard Soldiers and their Families.

“It doesn’t matter what type of uniform you wear – it’s all about Soldiers taking care of Soldiers,” Hubbard said. “This is something that ADRL and the National Guard have come together and said, ‘Let’s put on good, exciting entertainment and offer it out free to the community.”

Smithers, who will represent the Kansas National Guard at the Heartland Park race, is a previous International Drag Bike Association super comp national champion; Top Five IDBA number plate holder for five years; and a Top 10 American Motorcyclist Association number plate holder for six years. Hubbard is a Division 5 Pro Bike racer and HPT ET Pro Bike point leader.

Photo cutlines:

AUTOGRAPH SESSION WITH A PRO: (From left to right) - Abram Smith, 10, Sydney Smith, 12, Paige Smith, 7, and Lauryn Smith, 10, along with their father, Sgt. Eric Smith, a Soldier with the 172nd Chemical Company, Fort Riley, receive autographs from professional drag bike racer Steve Smithers of Olathe June 28 at the AEFES Post Exchange, Fort Riley. (Photo by Dena O'Dell/Fort Riley Public Affairs)

MOTORCYCLE GARNERS ATTENTION (VERSION 2): LeAnn Smith of Fort Riley checks out professional racer Steve Smither's pro-extreme/pro-modified 2002 Kawasaki ZX12r drag bike during Smither's visit to Fort Riley. (Photo by Dena O'Dell/Fort Riley Public Affairs)

PRO-RACER SIGNS AUTOGRAPHS: Professional drag bike racer Steve Smithers of Olathe signs autographs for Sgt. Eric. Smith, a Soldier with the 172nd Chemical Company, Fort Riley, his children, Abram 10, Sydney, 12, Paige, 7, and Lauryn, 10, and his younger brother, Shaquille Jones, 15, in front of the AEFES Post Exchange on June 28 at Fort Riley.