Costa Mesa Speedway
Orange County Fairgrounds
Costa Mesa, California

FMX Back Flip Night
June 24, 2006 - Costa Mesa
By: Ryan Evans

Charlie "The Edge" Venegas crossed the finish line first, but it was Bobby "Boogaloo" Schwartz who went home with the Scratch Main victory in front of a large crowd at Costa Mesa.

Venegas started in gate four and was the first rider into turn one. Venegas left a little room on the inside coming off turn two, but just as Schwartz tried to shoot by on the inside Venegas was able to get back to the inside and protect his lead. Venegas held off Schwartz the rest of the way for an apparent victory. However, his muffler was lying ominously on the back straight after falling off during the race. Venegas took his victory lap before the situation was clarified and the official decision could be declared and announced. Venegas was disqualified and credited with fifth and Schwartz was awarded the victory. Eddie Castro was second, Bryan Yarrow was third, and Shawn McConnell was fourth.

The Handicap Main had three riders fall in turn one, thus forcing a restart. George Fox was the front marker on the 20 yard line and came under attack from Buck Blair on the inside and Tommy Hedden on the outside. Hedden faded back after two laps leaving Blair to battle Fox. Fox withstood all of Blair's challenges before McConnell took over second with one lap to go. McConnell completely erased Fox's lead on the back straight and took a final shot on the inside when Fox left him some room. McConnell narrowly beat Fox to the line for the win. Shaun Harmatiuk finished third, Buck Blair was fourth, and Tommy Hedden finished fifth.

The Western Blasting Challenge was staged for the first time in 2006. After Schwartz, Gary Hicks, and Yarrow were eliminated, respectively, it left McConnell and Venegas at the tapes for the two-lap showdown. McConnell started from gate two and headed to the inside while Venegas was in gate five and went wide. They were side-by-side on the back straight, but Venegas went extremely wide and lost too much ground to recover on the second lap. McConnell was first to the checkered flag with Venegas taking second.

Eloy Medellin followed up his victory on Wednesday at Industry Hills with his second straight Costa Mesa Support Main win. Rohn Zellner was second, Billy Braden finished third, Kerry Sorensen was fourth, and Scott Tidwell finished fifth.

Tony Bracy ran away with his first Support B Main Event victory of the season. Travis Henderson finished second, Robert Glamuzina was third, Mike Boyle finished fourth, and Rick Fritch was fifth.

Costa Mesa will not be hosting a speedway event next weekend. The racing returns on Friday, July 7 with the 34th annual Fair Derby.

RESULTS

Support B Last Chance
194 - Tony Bracy
132 - Justin Hassan
244 - DeWayne Stark
169 - Dan Wensloff
308 - Hugh Randolph

Support B Main Event
194 - Tony Bracy
238 - Travis Henderson
313 - Robert Glamuzina
198 - Mike Boyle
288 - Rick Fritch

Support Consolation
125 - Johnny Lupo
326 - Mark Lane
107 - Monte McKeon

Support Consolation
115 - Mark Baldwin
150 - Damon Barry
212 - Steve Dziadus Sr.
269 - Ed Martinez

Support Last Chance
280 - Kerry Sorensen
272 - Steve Dziadus Jr.
182 - Rudy Laurer
309 - Vince Giamformaggio (tape exclusion)

Support Main Event
178 - Eloy Medellin
163 - Rohn Zellner
117 - Billy Braden
280 - Kerry Sorensen
118 - Scott Tidwell

Western Blasting Challenge
6 - Shawn McConnell
43 - Charlie Venegas
8n - Bryan Yarrow
3 - Gary Hicks
11 - Bobby Schwartz

Handicap Main Event (restarted)
6 - Shawn McConnell
29 - George Fox
139 - Shaun Harmatiuk
39 - Buck Blair
40n - Tommy Hedden
14 - Eddie Castro
24 - Bobby Krips (penalty line)
3 - Gary Hicks (non starter)

Last Chance
14 - Eddie Castro
3 - Gary Hicks
20 - Skyler Greyson
39 - Buck Blair (fell)

Scratch Main Event
11 - Bobby Schwartz
14 - Eddie Castro
8n - Bryan Yarrow
6 - Shawn McConnell
43 - Charlie Venegas (disqualified)