Costa Mesa Speedway
Orange County Fairgrounds
Costa Mesa, California

Mike Faria continued his dominance at Costa Mesa by winning his fifth consecutive Scratch Main at the world famous oval on Saturday.

The main event began with Shawn McConnell and Scott Brant battling into turn one. McConnell lifted as they exited turn two and drifted into Brant's outside line. Faria took advantage by cutting underneath the pair on the backstraight. Faria and McConnell made contact entering turn three which left McConnell on the ground. The race continued and Faria had the lead secured and Andy Northrup in second. Faria lengthened his lead with each lap and cruised to his seventh Scratch Main victory of 2003. Northrup held on to second, Brant finished third, Bobby Schwartz was fourth, and McConnell was fifth.

The Handicap Main's initial attempt lasted until turn three when McConnell fell and several rider laid their machines down to avoid him. McConnell was excluded and Faria limped off the track and was unable to restart.

Shaun Harmatiuk led the restart into turn one and was followed closely by Randy DiFrancesco. DiFrancesco couldn't get close enough to make a move and then slid off entering turn one on the fifth lap. This left Harmatiuk with an insurmountable lead and he ran away with his second Handicap Main victory of the season. Eddie Castro was second, Brant finished third, Schwartz was fourth, and Dukie Ermolenko finished fifth.

Rick Valdez exploded into the lead from his gate four starting position to take the lead at the start of the Support Main Event. He was initially chased by Doug Benjamin, but Rudy Laurer passed Benjamin on the back straight to claim second. Laurer couldn't catch Valdez who claimed his third main event at Costa Mesa this year. Laurer held on to second, Benjamin was third, John Stunkard finished fourth, and Dave Delbridge was fifth. Valdez later noted that his son predicted that he would win his heat, get second in his semi, and then win the main. That is exactly what he did.

The story of the Support B Main Event, and perhaps the whole evening as well, was Mike Sullivan. Sullivan was celebrating his 50th birthday and decided to have his party at Costa Mesa. With a support group that easily exceeded 100 people and included well-wishers, cheerleaders, and even a band, Sullivan led all four laps and took home the prize. His victory undoubtedly sent his fans home happy. DeWayne Stark finished second, Mike McCarthy was third, and Rich Brock finished fourth. Sullivan claimed that he wouldn't be competing again and just wanted to have fun on his birthday. He bought a bike, kevlars, and spent several days practicing just for the occasion.

RESULTS
        
Support B Consolation
194 - Tony Bracy                  20
176 - Carl Gazafy                 20
250 - Mike Sullivan               10
102 - Jim Lavender                10
227 - Mark Robertson              10
198 - Mike Boyle                  20   (non starter)

Support B Consolation
181 - Michael Novratil            10
339 - Sam Stavros                 20
136 - Kim Stevens                 20
193 - Billy Swaim                 20
188 - Nathan Smelser              20   (fell)
212 - Steve Dziadus               20   

Support B Main Event
250 - Mike Sullivan                0
244 - DeWayne Stark               10
113 - Mike McCarthy               10
138 - Rich Brock                  20
112 - Bryan Baichtal              20
107 - Monte McKeon                10
100 - Phil Harmatiuk              10

Support Consolation
118 - Scott Tidwell
228 - Shane Kump
269 - Ed Martinez      (fell, remounted)
117 - Billy Braden     (fell)

Support Consolation
165 - Randy Kreps
164 - Rusty Hall
185 - Keith Mullally
209 - Greg Vandemore
178 - Eloy Medellin    (fell)

Support Last Chance
182 - Rudy Laurer
214 - Steve Murray
200 - Gerry Duttweiler
148 - Chris Metoyer    (tape penalty)

Support Main Event
293 - Rick Valdez
182 - Rudy Laurer
128 - Doug Benjamin
249 - John Stunkard
338 - Dave Delbridge   (fell)

Handicap Main Event (restarted)
139 - Shaun Harmatiuk         	  20
 14 - Eddie Castro                40
 10 - Scott Brant                 60
 11 - Bobby Schwartz              50
 15 - Dukie Ermolenko             40
 12 - Randy DiFrancesco           30  (fell)
  9 - Mike Faria                  50  (non starter - restart)
  6 - Shawn McConnell             40  (fell, excluded)

Last Chance (restarted twice)
 11 - Bobby Schwartz
 14 - Eddie Castro
139 - Shaun Harmatiuk   (penalty line)
 24 - Bobby Krips       (tape penalty)

Scratch Main Event
  9 - Mike Faria
166 - Andy Northrup
 10 - Scott Brant
 11 - Bobby Schwartz
  6 - Shawn McConnell   (fell)