Arrowhead Motor Speedway
San Bernardino, California

2001 Arrowhead
Arrowhead Speedway
July 25, 2001
From 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