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Ryan Evans Report #1 on the 2000 Season
Ryan Evans' First Report on the 2000 Season
Ryan Evans' Second Report on the 2000 Season
Ryan Evans' Third Report on the 2000 Season
Ryan Evans' Fourth Report on the 2000 Season
Well, the regular season has finally started!!!!! Here's to hoping that it
is not the last at Costa Mesa.
Gary Hicks, once again, was very impressive on the scratch side of the
program. He took his second consecutive main event this year. Let it be
known, though, that Bobby Schwartz has been lightning-fast out of the gate on
both nights so far and look for him to take his fair share of main events
this year.
What's up with Brad Oxley? Two nights of racing, two nights he doesn't get
out of his scratch heat. (Editor's note: Brad (1999 US Champ., WON the next week's event!)
Speaking of Oxleys, it was great to see Harry Oxley at his old stomping
grounds. Hopefully, he was able to STOMP some sense into the fair board
while he was in California.
I had asked about the whereabouts of the Sauer Brothers after the Spring
Classic, but they did race on Opening Night. In fact, Robbie has discarded
#117 in favor of #23.
Randy DiFrancesco has his own website now. You can check it out at the
following web address: http://randytherocket.8k.com For those who don't remember, Randy changed his number to 12 before last
year's Nationals.
One of the most interesting stories of last week was discussed by Larry
Huffman Saturday night. Apparently, former NASCAR driver Wally Dallenbach, NASCAR executive Steve Petersen, some members of the Hendrick Motorsports
team (Owners of Jeff Gordon, Terry Labonte, and Jerry Nadeau's cars), and
some other NASCAR dignitaries met up with Dukie Ermolenko out at Ken Maely's Ranch last week. After an hour and a half of instruction, they took to the
track and had a very good time. Dukie swears that Dallenbach could be a
back-yardage D-2 rider right now. Hopefully, this could turn into something
good. These are the kind of connections that speedway needs to make in order
to become the type of sport that we want it to become. With the corporate
and media connections these people have, it couldn't hurt to have these
people interested in and attracted to our sport. What do you think?
Also taking a spin with Dukie and Company was former National Motocross and
Supercross Champion Jeff Emig.
I mentioned Hicks being two for two this year, but what about Danny Perkins?
D-2 main event winner at the Spring Classic from the 20, D-2 main event
winner on Opening Night from the 30. I would like to see him get a shot at
1st Division soon, if not this week. Danny is a great story. He raced about
15 years ago, then hung up his leathers until late last year. He was put in
3rd Division and made a mockery of that, and has been very smoothe and
impressive in his brief time back.
The Los Angeles Times did a very nice article on Andy Northrup in last
Friday's edition. The story discussed his longevity in the sport, his
outlook on this year, and his job as a Los Angeles County Police Officer.
Did anyone else notice that Larry Huffman did the "Huffman Hop" for "Flyin" Ryan Fisher Saturday Night?
For the second event in a row, a fan answered Larry's "Who's your favorite
rider?" question with "Kevin Rubio." Once again, Larry answered, "He's not
on the program tonight." If these fans only knew the story, I don't think
they would give that answer anymore.
It was great to see the juniors in action. Justin Boyle, Skyler Greyson,
Krystal Cramer, and Miles Calvin put on a great show for the fans. Its
always great to see the kids take to the track.
That's all for now......
Keep it sideways!!!!
Ryan Evans sideways31@aol.com
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