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From Ryan Evans sideways31@aol.com
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Get your Videos from
For a complete video of this night's racing, or other events of the last twenty years, contact RAZ Video.
There is never a bad seat with a RAZ Video (626) 449-1175
|
Josh Larsen perservered through several restarts to run away with his first Scratch Main victory of the season at Costa Mesa.
The Scratch Main seemed as though it would never get underway after several restarts were necessary due to gate malfunctions and riders touching the tapes. When everything finally got sorted out, Charlie Venegas and Randy DiFrancesco were lined up on the penalty line. At the tapes it was Larsen on the pole, Dukie Ermolenko in three, and Ryan Fisher on the outside. Larsen and Fisher started evenly with Larsen getting a slight advantage in turn one. Fisher tried to squeeze in from the outside but found Larsen already planted on the pole. A slight nudge brushed Fisher to the outside and allowed Ermolenko to grab second place. Venegas tried to get past Fisher as well, but the 17 year old was able to hold third as he entered turn three. Ermolenko challenged Larsen on the first lap, but the former World Finalist steadily stretched his lead all the way to the checkered flag. Ermolenko held off Fisher for second, while Venegas finished fourth, and DiFrancesco finished fifth.
Larsen's victory served as a warning shot that he will be a factor at the National Championships and that he is looking to take home his first National Title. Helping Larsen in the pits was long-time friend and former Junior National Champion Jessee Finch. There has been a positive correlation in the past connecting Finch's presence with Larsen's success.
Brad Sauer led the 8-man Handicap Main into turn one, but he was immediately pressured by Gary Ackroyd. Sauer held off Ackroyd the first lap, but on lap two the veteran was able to get by with Ryan Fisher in tow. Ackroyd, who had to compete on a borrowed bike, did a superb job holding off Fisher until lap five, when he drifted off the groove in turn two and Fisher pounced on the opportunity. Fisher wouldn't be able to breathe easy as he had Charlie Venegas on his back tire, but he was up to the challenge and led Venegas all the way to the finish for his second Handicap Main event win of 2000. Dukie Ermolenko finished third, Bart Bast, down from Northern California, was fourth, and Bobby Schwartz was fifth.
David Lynch got a great start in the Support Main and took the lead followed by Randy Skinner. Lynch maintained the lead but Skinner stayed within striking distance. On the last lap Lynch was destined for his fourth Support Main Event victory until he reached the final corner. Lynch drifted wide exiting turn four and Skinner made him pay for his mistake and stole a victory. The obviously disappointed Lynch was second, Mark Hitchcock was third, Sean McDougall was fourth, and Sean Larned was fifth.
In the Support B Main, Johnny Lupo took the lead at the start and never looked back and took the win over Howard Larson and Monte McKeon.
The junior field consisted of six riders as J.T. Mabry came from Northern California to compete with the local juniors. Krystal Cramer got a standing ovation for her victory in the first junior heat over Justin Boyle and Mabry. In the second heat it was all Justin Boyle as he cruised to an easy win. Mabry finished second, Cramer was third, Miles Calvin was fourth, Ricky Wells was fifth, and Skyler Greyson was sixth.
RESULTS Support B Main 125 - Johnny Lupo 0 168 - Howard Larson 0 107 - Monte McKeon 10 196 - Rod Lenz 0 173n - Jeff Blaydes 0 (fell) 269 - Ed Martinez 0 (fell) Support Main (scratch) 383 - Randy Skinner 131 - David Lynch 177 - Mark Hitchcock 243 - Sean McDougall (penalty line) 226 - Sean Larned Juniors - Race #1 27 - Krystal Cramer 198 - Justin Boyle 93n - J.T. Mabry 142 - Ricky Wells 99 - Miles Calvin 2 - Skyler Greyson (engine failure) Juniors - Race #2 198 - Justin Boyle 93n - J.T. Mabry 27 - Krystal Cramer 99 - Miles Calvin 142 - Ricky Wells 2 - Skyler Greyson Handicap Main 36 - Ryan Fisher 40 43 - Charlie Venegas 50 15 - Dukie Ermolenko 50 87n - Bart Bast 40 11 - Bobby Schwartz 50 8 - Gary Ackroyd 30 119 - Brad Sauer 10 14 - Eddie Castro 40 Scratch Main 4 - Josh Larsen 15 - Dukie Ermolenko 36 - Ryan Fisher 43 - Charlie Venegas (penalty line) 12 - Randy DiFrancesco (penalty line) Ryan Evans sideways31@aol.com
