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‘Magic Man’ McLendon Readies to Return to Five Flags with Moto Militia next Friday

By Chuck Corder

Rob McLendon loves seeing life play out before him.

The 29-year-old wasn’t a glint in his parents eyes when his father, Robert McLendon Jr., and grandfather, Robert Sr., opened a motorcycle parts and repair shop in west Pensacola.

Now, as a main cog in the D&D Cycles machine, the “Magic Man� has already passed his passion on to his 2½-year-old son Hayden.

“Whenever he’s around the house, he goes right to his little push bike,� McLendon said of his boy. “It’s the coolest thing. I smile every day. It truly is a family affair.�

It promises to be once again next Friday when McLendon and his extended family of motorcycle riders return to Five Flags Speedway for the second time this season.

The motos won’t be the only open-wheelers to challenge America’s Favorite Home Track. The Modifieds are back for another 50 lapper with $1,500 being awarded to the winner.

The Sportsmen and Bombers also get in on the fun when the gates open at 5 p.m. July 13. Admission to the grandstands is as follows: $15 Adults; $14 Seniors; $12 Military/Students (12-17); $5 Children (6-11); Under 6 is Free. Passes to get into the pits are $25.

This is the second time in 3 months that the motorcycles have competed around the banked, half-mile track.

The knee-dragging daredevils were such a hit that Five Flags General Manager Tim Bryant couldn’t wait to have them back.

Motos used to be a regular feature at the famed, asphalt oval some 25 years ago. After a long time away, they have regained steam of late.

“They raced back in the day, but it kind of had a local-yokel, hee-haw feel to it,� McLendon admitted. “Now, it’s more professional. We want it to look like motorcycles of late model racing.�

In recent years, they raced at the track, but the speedway was sectioned off with hay bales and chicanes. And it was usually on a Sunday afternoon in front of very few fans instead of the thousands that are expected to flood to Five Flags next Friday.

Now, this oval revival at Pensacola’s high banks has set off a trend at tracks around the southeast.

“There’s no sweet talking involved,� McLendon said. “Show them the money and they’ll come out of the woodwork. That’s a motorcycle rider for you.�

McLendon and his army of two-wheelers have competed at Mobile International Speedway, at South Alabama Speedway in Opp and Montgomery Motor Speedway to name a few.

McLendon estimates he splits his time “50-50� between racing on asphalt and racing on dirt. That number was more like “10 percent� on asphalt just a few years ago.

“I love it,� he said. “I wish it was something where we could race on ovals once a month — 100 percent I’d be there. But tracks have to want us. Most now are using us as special events.

“We’re averaging about 20 bikes. We’ve got to make sure we have big fields for a promoter.�

The field will be bursting at the seams next Friday.

The popularity has grown so rapidly at Five Flags that McLendon believes there will be about 30 bikes, enough for two classes — novice and professional — with some traveling down as far north as South Carolina and north Georgia.

“The best thing Mr. Bryant could have done was allow us to have a novice class,� said McLendon, who won both features at April’s races. “I’m not trying to toot my own horn, but when I’m five laps ahead of a rider who is out there for the first time, they get discouraged.

“We want them to enjoy it and we want to help everybody. Local shops get to sell more parts to racers. Five Flags gets more bikes in the pits. It’s a win-win for everyone.�

Sounds like quite the family approach.

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