By: Ryan Evans
Billy Janniro returned to the United States and made his debut at the new Arrowhead Motor Speedway a success by capturing the Handicap Main and the Scratch Main.
Shaun Harmatiuk started the Handicap Main from the 10 yard line and led the eight-man field into turn one. Richard Jones and Paul Colston, starting from the 20, were immediately feeling heat from Ryan Fisher, who started from the 40, and a quartet of riders starting from the 50. Fisher took second at the end of lap one and closed fast on Harmatiuk. Fisher passed Harmatiuk in turn three and Janniro followed him to take second. The two young stars put on a great battle for the lead. In turn four of the fourth lap the two made contact and went down. The incident collected Shawn McConnell and Gary Hicks as well. After being down for several minutes Hicks was able to get to his feet and restart. McConnell wasn't as fortunate. Although he was able to walk off the track, it was determined that McConnell had suffered a broken ankle.
Referee Steve Lucero determined that Fisher was the cause of the crash and he was sent to the penalty line. Janniro would line up at the tapes for the staggered restart with Hicks starting on the 10 yard line. The final five laps were an epic battle between Janniro and Hicks as the veteran tried inside and outside and it looked as if Hicks had an opening on lap six, but Janniro held him back all the way to the checkered flag. Fisher got through the field to finish third, Shaun Harmatiuk was fourth, and Paul Colston was fifth.
In the Scratch Main, Janniro, from the pole, and Fisher, from the outside, sandwiched Schwartz and Eddie Castro in turn one. As they came out of turn two Janniro held the lead and Castro immediately went after Fisher for second. Janniro steadily pulled away for the victory, but Fisher was in a fight for second. Castro rode the outside line and was beside Fisher on several occasions. On the last lap Fisher was able to secure second, with Castro taking third, and Schwartz finishing fourth.
Jeff Blaydes started from the 10 yard line and held the lead the entire race to earn the Second Division Main Event victory. John Stunkard, who started next to Blaydes on the 10, was never challenged for second, Bobby Krips finished third, Rudy Laurer was fourth, Mike Lupo was fifth, and Johnny Lupo was sixth.
Scott Tidwell got the best start of the three riders starting from the 10 and opened up a wide lead. Tidwell appeared to have a runaway victory, but Chad Newlee closed the gap on the last lap. Tidwell went very wide exiting turn two the final time and when he went wide again in the last corner, Newlee was there to steal the lead and the victory.
Ricky Wells and Krystal Cramer put on an excellent show as the two juniors drew loud applause each time they competed. Wells was able to beat Cramer by a narrow margin in both races.
Janniro's appearance at Arrowhead Motor Speedway coincided with his return to the United States for the North American World Championship Qualifier at Auburn on Friday. Janniro stated that he will be racing at San Bernardino next Wednesday before returning to England.
RESULTS Second Division B Consolation 293 - Rick Valdez 10 205 - Mike Lewis 10 115 - Mark Baldwin 10 112 - Bryan Baichtal 20 350 - Kodiak Calkin 10 (non-starter) Second Division B Main Event 123 - Chad Newlee 20 118 - Scott Tidwell 10 106 - Robert Fiesler 20 117 - Billy Braden 10 228 - Shane Kump 20 174 - Tomasz Hampel 10 Second Division Consolation 165 - Randy Kreps 10 100 - Phil Harmatiuk 10 103 - Brent Smith 10 (non-starter) Second Division Consolation 147 - Winston Williams 10 200 - Gerry Duttweiler 30 131 - David Lynch 30 175 - John VanderMuelen 40 234 - Frank Pecce 30 (non-starter) 321 - Billy Lyons 30 (non-starter) Second Division Main Event 173 - Jeff Blaydes 10 249 - John Stunkard 10 223 - Bobby Krips 30 182 - Rudy Laurer 20 162 - Mike Lupo 30 125 - Johnny Lupo 20 (fell) Junior Race #1 142 - Ricky Wells 27 - Krystal Cramer Junior Race #2 142 - Ricky Wells 27 - Krystal Cramer Handicap Main Event 14n - Billy Janniro 50 3 - Gary Hicks 50 36 - Ryan Fisher 40 139 - Shaun Harmatiuk 10 64 - Paul Colston 20 11 - Bobby Schwartz 50 19 - Richard Jones 20 6 - Shawn McConnell 50 Scratch Consolation 3 - Gary Hicks 56 - Jim Estes 19 - Richard Jones 6 - Shawn McConnell (non-starter) Scratch Main Event 14n - Billy Janniro 36 - Ryan Fisher 14 - Eddie Castro 11 - Bobby Schwartz Ryan Evans
