By: Ryan Evans
Shawn McConnell went home with all of the gold as he won both main events at Costa Mesa on Saturday Night.
McConnell had to qualify for the Scratch Main via the Last Chance, but the extra race didn't do him any harm. The first start of the Scratch Main had all the riders in a tight group on the first lap, but Bobby Schwartz took the lead entering turn three, but McConnell and Chris Manchester went down. Manchester was on the ground for a couple minutes but was able to compete in the restart. Manchester started his machine, but felt uncomforable and accepted Mike Faria's offer of a bike.
McConnell was first to turn one and held the lead on the back straight. Eddie Castro was right behind McConnell on lap one, but never got close as McConnell pulled away for his first Scratch Main victory of the season. Castro finished second, Bobby Schwartz was third, Randy DiFrancesco was fourth, and Manchester was fifth.
Kitt Nay took the lead at the beginning of the Handicap Main ahead of Jim Estes, who won the Handicap Main Wednesday at San Bernardino. Estes took the lead from Nay as they entered turn one the third time. McConnell followed Estes past Nay and immediately camped himself on Estes's back tire. Estes held the pole for several laps, but left an opening in turn four on lap seven and McConnell took the lead at the white flag. McConnell held on for the last lap to earn the double main event victory. Ryan Fisher finished second, Estes was third, Castro was fourth, and Nay was fifth.
The Support Main had a wild crash when Michael Mattocks lifted coming out of turn two and collected three other riders on the back straight. Danny Holt and Paul Hitchcock were the casualties as Holt had a possible broken wrist, while Hitchcock had a possible broken shoulder.
Mark Hitchcock took the lead on the restart and opened up some ground on Robert Fiesler. Mattocks, who had to start from the penalty line, passed Fiesler and went after the leader. Hitchcock was up to the challenge, however, as he went on to the victory. Mattocks ended up second and Fiesler was third.
The Support B Main Event had to be attempted three times as two crashes brought out red flags on the first two tries, the second of which occured in wild fashion. Wesley Mounts was the lead when he and Tom Rossano made contact and went down. Ed Martinez hit Mounts's bike, found traction, and was bucked off.
Rossano grabbed the lead on the restart and rode a smooth race to win his second main event of the season. Michael Novratil finished second, Martinez was third, and Mounts was fourth.
Justin Boyle was a runaway winner in the Junior Main Event with Krystal Cramer finishing second, Ricky Wells finished third, Skyler Greyson finished fourth, and Miles Calvin finished fifth.
RESULTS Junior Main Event 3 - Justin Boyle 27 - Krystal Cramer 142 - Ricky Wells 2 - Skyler Greyson 99 - Miles Calvin 34 - Destin Cantrell Support B Consolation 163 - Rohn Zellner 20 227 - Mark Robertson 10 212 - Steve Dziadus 10 169 - Dan Wensloff 10 228 - Shane Kump 20 (fell, remounted) 137 - Jeremiah LeBlanc 20 Support B Main Event (restarted twice) 296 - Tom Rossano 20 181 - Michael Novratil 10 269 - Ed Martinez 20 145 - Wesley Mounts 10 107 - Monte McKeon 20 197 - Kim Stevens 10 Support Consolation 293 - Rick Valdez 148 - Chris Metoyer 100 - Phil Harmatiuk 336 - Bill Green (fell) 182 - Rudy Laurer (fell) Support Consolation 165 - Randy Kreps 196 - Rod Lenz 198 - Mike Boyle 103 - Brent Smith 112 - Bryan Baichtal Support Last Chance 106 - Robert Fiesler 147 - Winston Williams 174 - Tomasz Hampel (fell) 338 - Dave Delbridge (non starter) Support Main Event 177 - Mark Hitchcock 122 - Michael Mattocks (penalty line) 106 - Robert Fiesler 114 - Paul Hitchcock (non starter - restart) 220 - Danny Holt (non starter - restart) Handicap Main Event 6 - Shawn McConnell 40 36 - Ryan Fisher 40 56 - Jim Estes 30 14 - Eddie Castro 40 216 - Kitt Nay 20 11 - Bobby Schwartz 50 12 - Randy DiFrancesco 40 130 - Chris Manchester 50 (non starter) Last Chance 6 - Shawn McConnell 36 - Ryan Fisher 9 - Mike Faria 15 - Dukie Ermolenko Scratch Main Event 6 - Shawn McConnell 14 - Eddie Castro 11 - Bobby Schwartz 12 - Randy DiFrancesco 130 - Chris Manchester (retired)
