By: Ryan Evans
Mark Adams rode a flawless race to win the first Handicap Main of his career at Arrowhead Motor Speedway in San Bernardino Wednesday Night.
Jeff Blaydes, competing in his first Handicap Main, started from the 10, but found misfortune right away as he went down in turn one. The race continued and Adams was the beneficiary as he had beaten fellow 20 yard rider Bryan Yarrow to turn one, and assumed the lead after avoiding Blaydes. Three riders from the 50, Gary Hicks, Dukie Ermolenko, and Ryan Fisher, were coming fast and furious, with Hicks getting best start of the trio and running third after one lap. Fisher's quest ended prematurely as he lifted and then went down in turn four. Hicks took second from Yarrow and had a lot of ground to make up on Adams. Adams continued to ride fast and smooth while Hicks' engine began to sputter. A very happy Adams ran away with the victory while Hicks limped home for second. Ermolenko finished third, Yarrow finished fourth, Fisher remounted and finished fifth, while Blaydes finished sixth.
Adams experienced another career first, his first Scratch Main. As luck would have it, he drew the pole. Ermolenko drew two, Charlie Cooley would be in three for his second Scratch Main in as many weeks, and Fisher would be up against the fence. At the start it was all Fisher as he trapped from gate four, taking the lead in turn one and never looking back while collecting his third Arrowhead Scratch Main of the year. Ermolenko finished second, Adams was third, and Cooley was fourth.
Hicks and Bobby Schwartz each tasted misfortune in their Scratch Semis and had to compete in the Scratch Consolation. Hicks and Fisher came together in their semi leaving Hicks on the ground and no red flag being thrown. Hicks' argument with referee Steve Lucero regarding the incident fell on deaf ears. Schwartz never left the line in his semi as he lost an engine at the tapes and had to borrow a bike for the consolation. Hicks was an easy winner in the consolation, but it certainly didn't console Hicks' thoughts about missing the main.
Three riders started at the tapes in the Second Division Main and it was Shane Kump and Rick Valdez leaving the line together and battling for the lead on the first lap. Kump took control of the lead entering turn three and held it before falling on lap two. Valdez took the lead back and began to pull away from the field. Northern California's Matt Browne made his way from the back, taking second and setting his sights on Valdez. Valdez maintained control of the lead until the last corner when he left the door open for Browne. Both riders made a mad dash to the line and finishing inches apart. After some discussion, it was determined that Browne had crossed the line first with Valdez having to settle for second. Last week's Second Division B winner, Rod Lenz, finished third, Philip Williams was fourth, Robert Fiesler was fifth, and Kump was credited with last.
Second Division B used a scratch format so all four competitors in the main event would start together at the tapes. Billy Braden got into the tapes and was excluded. Scott Tidwell got the best start and opened up a huge lead. Tidwell cruised to the finish for his first main event victory ever. Mike Boyle was second, Jeremiah LeBlanc was third, and Braden was credited with fourth.
RESULTS Second Division B Consolation (scratch) 197 - Kim Stevens 310 - K.G. Fairbarn 512 - Steve Dziadus 227 - Mark Robertson Second Division B Main Event (scratch) 118 - Scott Tidwell 198 - Mike Boyle 137 - Jeremiah LeBlanc 117 - Billy Braden (tape exclusion) Second Division Consolation 123 - Chad Newlee 10 31n - Jonathan Curry 30 178 - Eloy Medellin 10 182 - Rudy Laurer 20 103 - Brent Smith 10 126 - Doug Lupo 40 321 - Billy Lyons 30 (non starter) Second Division Main Event 211n - Matt Browne 30 293 - Rick Valdez 0 196 - Rod Lenz 0 239 - Philip Williams 10 106 - Robert Fiesler 10 228 - Shane Kump 0 Handicap Main Event 23 - Mark Adams 20 3 - Gary Hicks 50 15 - Dukie Ermolenko 50 854n - Bryan Yarrow 20 36 - Ryan Fisher 50 (fell, remounted) 173 - Jeff Blaydes 10 (fell, remounted) Scratch Consolation 3 - Gary Hicks 854n - Bryan Yarrow 11 - Bobby Schwartz 162 - Mike Lupo (fell) Scratch Main Event 36 - Ryan Fisher 15 - Dukie Ermolenko 23 - Mark Adams 16 - Charlie Cooley
