The Sac Mile is back!

The familiar catch phrase was reintroduced last year after a 12-year hiatus away from the Capital City area.

And the fans showed up like the event had never left.

It’s that time again this year, as the “big bikes on the big track” are back at Cal Expo for what looks like another exciting Sacramento Mile on Saturday, July 28.

Long gone are the stars of the past like Bart Markel, Mert Lawwill, Hank Scott, Gene Romero, Jay Springsteen, Ricky Graham and Bubba Shobert.

Even stars from the not-so-distant past have hung up the riding boots.

Two of the sport’s most popular and famous riders — Chris Carr and Scott Parker — made their mark in SacTown. The two battled it out from 1985 until 1999 in some of the most famous finishes, as the Sacramento Mile was on the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) schedule twice a year during most of that time.

These days the names have changed and may not slip off the tongue as quickly as some of the heroes of the past, but the action on the track is as hot as ever.

Guys like Jared Mees (Harley-Davidson), defending series champion Jake Johnson (H-D), Johnny Lewis (Kawasaki) and Sammy Halbert  (H-D) are on top of the leaderboard.

But this 16-race season, six races have been run and six different winners have taken the checkered flag.

Mees, Lewis, Halbert, Matt Weidman, Henry Wiles and Willie McCoy have all stood in the first place slot on the podium this season.

Another thing that stands out these days is that Harley-Davidsons are not the dominating bike in the field. Guys are riding Harleys, but Kawasakis and Hondas are in the field. Heck, even a KTM and a Ducati have run the tracks this year.

Visitors in attendance will love the rider autograph session that will be held at 5 p.m. in the paddock, and is open to spectators.

The opening ceremonies start at 6:15 p.m., with the first Pro Heat beginning at 6:45 p.m., and action going all the way to the 25-lap Expert Main Event at 9:15 p.m.

Tickets start at $20. Some of the legends will even be in attendance for autographs and conversation.