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Industry Hills Speedway
The Grand Industry Hills Expo Center
City of Industry, California
Harley Night
September 8, 2004 - Industry Hills Speedway
By: Ryan Evans
Former National Champion Charlie "The Edge" Venegas was flawless in all five of his races and took home the Scratch Main Event at The Grand in Industry Hills on Wednesday.
Venegas lined up on the pole in the Scratch Main, but Shawn McConnell was the first to leave the line. Venegas still managed to beat McConnell into turn one and secured the inside line. McConnell was pushed wide along with Dukie Ermolenko, which allowed Denny Scopellite to take second. Meanwhile, Venegas opened up an insurmountable lead in just one lap. Venegas cruised to an easy victory, but there was plenty of action behind him as first McConnell, then Ermolenko, passed Scopellite. McConnell was able to hold on to second with Ermolenko settling for third and Scopellite finishing fourth.
Nate Perkins began the First Division heats with a solid victory over McConnell and Justin Boyle. Venegas won easily over impressive rookie Dario Galvin and former National Champion Bobby Schwartz. Ermolenko completed round one with a win over Scopellite.
Round two started with Venegas getting his second win of the night by beating Ermolenko and Galvin. Boyle showed a lot of poise by holding off constant pressure from McConnell to win the next race. The second round concluded with Scopellite beating Perkins.
McConnell scored a victory over Scopellite to begin the final round. Venegas made it three in a row by beating Perkins and Brad Sauer. Ermolenko took his second win of the night ahead of Shaun Harmatiuk and Boyle in the final heat race.
Venegas romped to his fourth straight victory in the first semi to transfer to the main and Scopellite's second place finish secured a spot as well. Ermolenko won the second semi with McConnell finishing second as both earned spots in the main.
The Second Division Main required three attempts to complete after crashes brought a premature end to the first two tries. Steve Murray jumped into the lead on the third start and brought a halt to all of the drama with a runaway victory. Japan's Hideaki Ota finished second, Michael Hernandez was third, and Skyler Greyson finished fourth.
Carl Gazafy blasted into the lead at the start of the Third Division Main, but was hotly pursued by Steve Dziadus, Jr. Dziadus, Jr. was giving Gazafy all he could handle for three laps. Gazafy left some room on the inside entering the final corner, but Dziadus, Jr. squandered the opportunity when slid off. Gazafy went on to win, Steve Dziadus, Sr. finished second, Mike Boyle was third, and Dziadus, Jr. was fourth.
Newly crowned Youth National Champion Ricky Wells won both heats and then the Youth Main from a 60 yard handicap in his first meeting since winning the title. Nathan Galvin finished second, Eddie Conner was third, and Dylan Black was fourth.
It was announced earlier in the week that the 2004 season at The Grand would be extended at least three more weeks through September 29. Wednesday's meeting was originally the final meeting of a four-week schedule, but success and added sponsorship as convinced promoters Freddie Orosco, Dukie Ermolenko, and Howie Zechner to lengthen the season through the end of the month.
RESULTS
Pee Wee
8 - Brayden Galvin
7 - Rocco Scopellite
6 - Dakota Workman
77 - Hank Duncan
Youth Main Event (restarted)
1 - Ricky Wells 60
134 - Nathan Galvin
135 - Eddie Conner
7 - Dylan Black
Third Division Main Event
176 - Carl Gazafy
212 - Steve Dziadus, Sr.
198 - Mike Boyle
909 - Steve Dziadus, Jr.
Second Division Main Event
214 - Steve Murray
240 - Hideaki Ota
105 - Michael Hernandez (penalty line)
120 - Skyler Greyson (fell)
First Division Scoring 1 2 3 T
6 - Shawn McConnell 2 2 3 7
11 - Bobby Schwartz 1 0 1 2
15 - Dukie Ermolenko 3 2 3 8
17 - Robbie Sauer 0 0 0 0
18 - Justin Boyle 1 3 1 5
21 - Brad Sauer 0 1 1 2
37 - Denny Scopellite 2 3 2 7
43 - Charlie Venegas 3 3 3 9
139 - Shaun Harmatiuk 1 1 2 4
145 - Dario Galvin 2 1 0 3
389 - Nate Perkins 3 2 2 7
Race Results
10: Perkins, McConnell, Boyle, R.Sauer
11: Venegas, Galvin, Schwartz, B.Sauer
12: Ermolenko, Scopellite, Harmatiuk
17: Venegas, Ermolenko, Galvin, R.Sauer
18: Boyle, McConnell, B.Sauer
19: Scopellite, Perkins, Harmatiuk, Schwartz
24: McConnell, Scopellite, Schwartz, R.Sauer
25: Venegas, Perkins, B.Sauer
26: Ermolenko, Harmatiuk, Boyle, Galvin
Semi #1: Venegas, Scopellite, Perkins, Galvin
Semi #2: Ermolenko, McConnell, Perkins, Galvin
Scratch Consolation
139 - Shaun Harmatiuk
145 - Dario Galvin
389 - Nate Perkins (fell)
18 - Justin Boyle (non starter)
Scratch Main Event
43 - Charlie Venegas
6 - Shawn McConnell
15 - Dukie Ermolenko
37 - Denny Scopellite
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