By: Ryan Evans
International Speedway Inc, promoters of Costa Mesa Speedway, did their part to follow President George W. Bush's request of a return to normalcy by doing what they have done since 1969. Providing the fans with speedway racing. The regular portion of the program did not commence until after an emotional tribute to those tragically killed on Tuesday.
The tribute included playing the songs "America the Beautiful" and "I'm Proud to be an American", a prayer, and a moment of silence. After the tribute, many of the riders competed with American flags mounted on their helmets, their suits, and their bikes.
Scott Brant led the Handicap Main from start to finish to capture his first main event victory at Costa Mesa since returning to action three weeks ago. Brant started on the 30 yard line alongside Northern California's Chad Felicio and was able to beat him to turn one. Brant quickly put ground between himself and Felicio. Shawn McConnell got behind Felicio and applied the pressure. Felicio eventually succumbed to the pressure and McConnell took second place. Brant, however, was long gone and was not going to be caught. Behind McConnell, Ryan Fisher held third place before Josh Larsen nudged him to take the position. Fisher tried to get the position back from Larsen in turn two, but hit Larsen's back tire and went over the high side. Fisher did not immediately leave the track and made an obscene gesture at Larsen the next time he came by. Brant went on to the easy victory, McConnell was second, Larsen finished third, Randy DiFrancesco was fourth, and Felicio was fifth. Larsen and Fisher weren't finished, however, as the two got into a shoving match and exchanged unpleasantries. Fortunately, no punches were thrown and the two were separated. Ironically, Chris Manchester played the role of peacemaker, this despite the fact that he has had two previous on-track incidents with Fisher earlier this year.
Defending National Champion Charlie Venegas made his long awaited return to action after suffering a broken femur while competing in an ice race in St. Charles, Missouri in January. After winning his heat and semi, Venegas found himself on the pole in the Scratch Main. When the tapes went up, Venegas shot into the lead, but drifted wide in turn two pinching Manchester and Bobby Schwartz. Venegas seemed to lose his momentum in the process and Fisher blasted underneath to take the lead on the back straight. Venegas went wide into turn three while Fisher stayed on the inside. The two raced alongside each other until the completion of lap two when Fisher took control. Manchester went under Venegas for second, but Fisher wasn't going to be caught. The former Junior National Champion captured the first Costa Mesa Scratch Main of his career, followed by Manchester, Venegas finished third, Schwartz finished fourth, and Larsen was fifth.
The Support Main Event required three attempts to complete after crashes brought the first two starts to a halt. Michael Mattocks and Scott Olney, who traveled from Northern California, gated together on the third attempt, but they clashed in turn one and Mattocks went down. Olney slowed, and John DeFries went by for the lead. DeFries was smooth and fast throughout the race and was victorious for the second week in a row. Olney finished second, Jeff Blaydes was third, Philip Williams was fourth, and Mattocks was credited with fifth.
The Support B Main Event suffered from several cases of anxiety three riders were penalized for rolling the start. Doug Benjamin, who returned to speedway last week after more than a decade, took the early lead. While the rest of the riders in the field was sorting themselves out Benjamin was pulling away. Benjamin took the victory, Mike Boyle was second, Ed Martinez finished third, Chad Newlee was fourth, Billy Braden was fifth, and Todd Brown finished sixth.
Justin Boyle moved quickly through the field from his 40 yard starting position to take the lead on the second lap. Boyle opened up a huge lead and went on to the victory. Ricky Wells was second, Miles Calvin finished third, Krystal Cramer was fourth, Destin Cantrell was fifth, and Skyler Greyson finished sixth.
RESULTS Junior Speedway 3 - Justin Boyle 40 142 - Ricky Wells 20 99 - Miles Calvin 30 27 - Krystal Cramer 20 34 - Destin Cantrell 10 2 - Skyler Greyson 30 Support B Consolation 118 - Scott Tidwell 20 163 - Rohn Zellner 20 202n - Harry Bradwell 10 197 - Kim Stevens 20 (fell) 145 - Wesley Mounts 10 (fell) 212 - Steve Dziadus 10 (fell) Support B Main Event 128 - Doug Benjamin 10 198 - Mike Boyle 20 269 - Ed Martinez 20 (penalty line) 123 - Chad Newlee 20 117 - Billy Braden 20 (penalty line) (fell) 211 - Todd Brown 10 (penalty line) (fell) Support Consolation 131 - David Lynch 10 338 - Dave Delbridge 0 165 - Randy Kreps 0 196 - Rod Lenz 10 103 - Brent Smith 0 296 - Tom Rossano 10 148 - Chris Metoyer 0 (retired) 293 - Rick Valdez 10 (non starter) Support Last Chance 239 - Philip Williams 336 - Bill Green 178 - Eloy Medellin 200 - Gerry Duttweiler (non starter) Support Main Event 316 - John DeFries 417n - Scott Olney 173 - Jeff Blaydes (penalty line) 239 - Philip Williams (penalty line) 122 - Michael Mattocks (fell) Handicap Main Event 10 - Scott Brant 30 6 - Shawn McConnell 40 4 - Josh Larsen 50 12 - Randy DiFrancesco 40 54n - Chad Felicio 30 11 - Bobby Schwartz 50 36 - Ryan Fisher 40 (fell) 15 - Dukie Ermolenko 40 (non starter) Last Chance 130 - Chris Manchester 9 - Mike Faria 12 - Randy DiFrancesco 6 - Shawn McConnell Scratch Main Event 36 - Ryan Fisher 130 - Chris Manchester 1 - Charlie Venegas 11 - Bobby Schwartz 4 - Josh Larsen
