Costa Mesa Speedway
Orange County Fairgrounds - Costa Mesa, CA
2000 Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa Speedway
July 8, 2000
From Ryan Evans
Former National Champion Chris Manchester won his first Scratch Main of the
season in front of a large crowd that saw a lot of exciting racing at Costa Mesa.
Bobby Schwartz took the lead from the pole and looked to have control as he
exited turn two but Manchester used the outside dirt to gain momentum and
passed Schwartz on the back straight. Schwartz stayed low while Manchester
continued to use the outside to gain control of the lead at the close of lap
one. While Schwartz was chasing Manchester, Shawn McConnell and Dukie
Ermolenko battled side-by-side for third place. The battles continued
throughout the race, but Schwartz was unable to catch the former Overseas
Champion and McConnell held on for third place. Eddie Castro was fifth.
Manchester's victory ended a season-long struggle to break through the
invisible barrier that has been keeping him from a Scratch Main victory. He
has been impressive in his heats and semis but hasn't been able to put it
together in the main event until Saturday Night. Manchester's victory may be
a sign of things to come as the second half of the season approaches.
A notable absence from the Scratch Main field was Charlie "The Edge" Venegas.
The man who has won five of the nine Southern California Scratch Mains and
half of the main events failed to transfer from his scratch heat. Venegas
missed the start but was second to Andy Northrup and in a transfer position
when Schwartz made a spectacular ride around the outside to pass both
Northrup and Venegas and take the lead and a victory that received a standing
ovation from the large crowd. Northrup held off Venegas and subsequently
kept him from moving up in the program.
Jim Estes took a hard-earned victory in the Handicap Main event after holding
off Charlie Venegas the final three laps. Danny Perkins started at the tapes
with the rest of the eight-man field at least 40 yards behind him. Perkins
took the lead with the rest of the pack quickly trying to catch him. Estes
was the lone 40 yard rider with six riders behind him and was assuredly in
for a long eight laps. Venegas was able to get into third place on the third
lap when he passed Randy DiFrancesco. Estes now had to catch Perkins while
simultaneously holding Venegas back. He was up to the challenge as he passed
Perkins on the fifth lap to assume the lead. Venegas was unable to gain any
ground until they took the white flag and Venegas put a wheel under Estes as
they entered turn one. Estes remained cool under the pressure and actually
pulled away from Venegas as they exited turn two the final time. Venegas was
unable to close the gap and Estes took the checkered flag just ahead of
Venegas. DiFrancesco finished third, Brad Oxley was fourth, and Northrup was
fifth.
The Support Main provided the fans with some exciting racing with several
position changes throughout the race. Mark Hitchcock took the lead with David Lynch and Tim Tucker right behind him. Lynch and Tucker battled for
second and passed each other several times. Hitchcock continued to lead
until the last lap when Lynch got underneath with Tucker right behind.
Tucker tried to force Lynch into a mistake but Lynch was up to the task and
took his second Support Main victory of the season.
John Stunkard was the only participant of the Support B Main Event on the 10
yard line and used that position to hold back the five 20 yard riders
throughout the race to take a wire-to-wire victory.
Costa Mesa will host two races this week during the Annual Orange County
Fair. Costa Mesa will return to its roots with a Friday Night program along
with sidecars, BMX jumpers, and Freestyle Motocross Jumpers featuring World
Famous Seth Enslow. The evening will coincide with the opening night of the
fair. On Saturday Night will be the annual Fair Derby which is one of
America's prestigious speedway events. Mike Faria will return from Northern
California to defend his Fair Derby title.
RESULTS
Junior Heat #1
198 - Justin Boyle
99 - Miles Calvin
2 - Skyler Greyson
Junior Heat #2
198 - Justin Boyle
99 - Miles Calvin
2 - Skyler Greyson (non-starter)
Support B Consolation
198 - Mike Boyle 10
211 - Doug Lupo 20
135 - Kerry Connor 10
132 - David Moore 10 (fell, remounted)
147 - Winston Williams 20 (fell)
269 - Ed Martinez 20 (fell)
Support B Main
249 - John Stunkard 10
231 - Pat Dwyer 20
125 - Johnny Lupo 20
100 - Phil Harmatiuk 20
141 - Tom Collier 20 (penalty line)
103 - Brent Smith 20 (fell, excluded)
Support Main (scratch)
131 - David Lynch
215 - Tim Tucker
177 - Mark Hitchcock
197 - Greg Starcevic (penalty line)
Handicap Main
56 - Jim Estes 40
43 - Charlie Venegas 60
12 - Randy DiFrancesco 50
1 - Brad Oxley 60
166 - Andy Northrup 50
11 - Bobby Schwartz 50
189 - Danny Perkins 0
130 - Chris Manchester 50 (retired)
Scratch Main
130 - Chris Manchester
11 - Bobby Schwartz
6 - Shawn McConnell
15 - Dukie Ermolenko
14 - Eddie Castro
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