By: Ryan Evans
Shawn McConnell ran his main event winning streak to three as he won the Scratch Main Event in front of a standing room only crowd at the world famous Costa Mesa oval Saturday night.
McConnell lined up on the pole for the Scratch Main with Scott Brant alongside him, Eddie Castro in gate three, Mike Faria in gate four, and Josh Larsen on the outside. Turn one got physical as several riders made contact and Castro ended up on the ground as the race continued. McConnell's inside position proved beneficial as he was able to get to the fast inside line before Larsen. Larsen, the Costa Mesa season points leader, stalked McConnell throughout the race, but was unable to force a mistake. McConnell was first to the checkered flag and, along with his consecutive Handicap Main victories, ran his main event victory streak to three. Larsen finshed second, Brant was third, Castro finished fourth, Faria was fifth.
Andy "The Enforcer" Northrup started from the 30 yard line and made short work of 20 yard riders Mark Adams and Bryan Yarrow to take the lead. Dukie Ermolenko followed Northrup through traffic and put the pressure on the man who is a policeman when he isn't going sideways. Larsen had worked through traffic from the 50 and was now pressuring Ermolenko. Ermolenko seemed to ride more defensively which allowed Northrup some breathing room. Larsen passed Ermolenko at the end of lap six but had a lot of ground to make up on Northrup. Larsen closed the gap significantly, but couldn't get close enough to try for the lead as Northrup won his first main event of the season. Ermolenko held on to third, Castro was fourth, and Faria was fifth.
After Northrup, Gary Hicks, and Ermolenko were eliminated, the Denim Doctor Challenge came down to Larsen and McConnell. McConnell got the gate and looked like would plant himself on the inside line. However, he drifted a little wide in turn two and opened the door for Larsen to take the lead on the back straight. McConnell went low in turn three to try to answer Larsen back but it wasn't to be and Larsen raced away with the victory.
David Lynch showed again why he is the man to beat in the Support Division by winning the Support Main Event easily. John Stunkard finished second, Rod Lenz was third, Jeff Blaydes finished fourth, and Billy Braden was fifth.
Brian Hunt rode a very smooth four laps and led throughout the Support B Main Event and earned his first ever main event victory. Eloy Medellin finished second, Rusty Hall was third, Michael Novratil finished fourth, Tom Hamilton was fifth, and Carl Gazafy was sixth.
Defending National Champion Chris Manchester was involved in a crash during his Scratch Semi which left him unable to compete in the rest of the meeting due to sore ribs. The incident also forced Gary Hicks out of the Last Chance race due to an injured hand.
The always-popular Freestyle Motocross Jumpers produced another full house as they performed their amazing aerial stunts for the capacity crowd. The crowd was completely entertained by the action in the air and on the ground as the racing was good and the jumpers were fantastic.
Next week is the annual Jack Milne Cup which honors the 1937 World Champion who helped immensely with the re-birth of speedway in the United States. The current holder of the prestigious trophy is Gary Hicks, who is related to Milne and wants to keep the trophy in the family.
RESULTS Support B Consolation 105 - Michael Hernandez 10 169 - Dan Wensloff 10 155 - Kevin Templeton 10 (fell) 102 - Jim Lavender 10 (non starter) Support B Consolation 103 - Brent Smith 20 133 - Craig Collier 20 108 - Mike Hernandez 20 112 - Bryan Baichtal 20 *started on the 30 107 - Monte McKeon 20 *started on the 30 126 - Doug Lupo 20 *started on the 30 Support B Main Event 332 - Brian Hunt 10 178 - Eloy Medellin 20 164 - Rusty Hall 10 181 - Michael Novratil 20 144 - Tom Hamilton 20 176 - Carl Gazafy 10 Support Consolation 106 - Robert Fiesler 10 118 - Scott Tidwell 20 165 - Randy Kreps 10 180 - Malcolm Roe 20 296 - Tom Rossano 20 100 - Phil Harmatiuk 10 (retired) 243 - Sean McDougall 20 (non starter) Support Last Chance 117 - Billy Braden 125 - Johnny Lupo 163 - Rohn Zellner 338 - Dave Delbridge (penalty line) (fell) Support Main Event (restarted) 131 - David Lynch 249 - John Stunkard 196 - Rod Lenz 173 - Jeff Blaydes 117 - Billy Braden (fell, excluded) Denim Doctor Challenge 2 - Josh Larsen 6 - Shawn McConnell 15 - Dukie Ermolenko 3 - Gary Hicks 166 - Andy Northrup Handicap Main Event 166 - Andy Northrup 30 2 - Josh Larsen 50 15 - Dukie Ermolenko 30 14 - Eddie Castro 40 (penalty line) 9 - Mike Faria 50 8n - Bryan Yarrow 20 23 - Mark Adams 20 6 - Shawn McConnell 50 *started on the 60 (fell) Last Chance 10 - Scott Brant 8n - Bryan Yarrow 3 - Gary Hicks (non starter) 1 - Chris Manchester (non starter) Scratch Main Event 6 - Shawn McConnell 2 - Josh Larsen 10 - Scott Brant 14 - Eddie Castro (fell, remounted) 9 - Mike Faria (retired)
