Costa Mesa Speedway
Orange County Fairgrounds
Costa Mesa, California

Speedway Racing & Amateur Afternoon
June 9, 2007 - Costa Mesa
By: Ryan Evans

Josh Larsen and Neil Facchini took home the top honors in an evening filled with exciting racing at the world famous bullring in Costa Mesa.

Defending National Champion Charlie "The Edge" Venegas used the inside gate to get the best start and launched into turn one. Venegas went deep into the corner and blocked Mike Faria who was on the outside line. Larsen cut back underneath Venegas exiting turn two and the riders were shoulder-to-shoulder on the backstraight. Larsen hugged the inside line and Venegas used the cushion through the next bend and they battled throughout lap one. The side-by-side formation continued until the end of lap two when Larsen surged ahead for good and Venegas drifted back as the pack went by. Larsen was first to the checkered flag, Bobby Schwartz was second, Bryan Yarrow finished third, Venegas was fourth, Faria finished fifth.

Neil Facchini was lined up on the 10 yard line in the Handicap Main with seven competitors behind him. Facchini led the first lap, but fifteen year old Ricky Wells was mounting an outside charge on the leader. Wells came close to taking the lead several times, but never could complete the pass. On the fourth lap, Wells entered turn three awkwardly and fell. Facchini then found himself under attack from Shaun Harmatiuk. Buck Blair fell in turn two and brought out the red flag just as Harmatiuk was poised to take the lead. A restart was ordered to complete the final two laps and both Wells and Blair declined to participate.

On the restart, Facchini found pressure from Harmatiuk entering turn three but didn't flinch and increased his lead as he took the white flag. Facchini led down the backstraight and Harmatiuk made a desperate attempt for the lead entering turn three. Harmatiuk's desperation cost him dearly as he went into the corner too fast, fell, and brought out the red flag. Facchini was awarded the victory, Shawn McConnell was second, Larsen finished was third, Faria was fourth, and Schwartz was fifth.

Bryan "Bumblebee" Buffington led all four laps en route to victory in the Support Main Event. Billy Braden finished second, Rohn Zellner was third, and Rick Farron finished fourth.

Kim Stevens led the Support B Main Event from the start, but was passed by Tim Cochren at the end of lap one. Stevens fought back to take the lead in turn two of lap two before Cochren re-passed her in turn four. Stevens was determined, though, and she overtook Cochren for good on the back straight and held on for the win and a rousing ovation. Cochren settled for second, Harold Hartke was third, Steve Dziadus finished fourth, Steve Bowen was fifth, and Mark Lane finished sixth.

Joey Holt turned in a solid effort to capture the Youth First Division Main. Jason Ramirez finished second, and Chad Hoyt was third.

Brad Pappalardo was dominant in winning the Youth Second Division Main Event. Braydan Galvin was second, Rocco Scopellite finished third, and Major Davis was fourth.

This Saturday is Kids Night at Costa Mesa Speedway. Kids 12 and under will be admitted FREE with paid adult admission.

RESULTS 

Youth Second Division Main Event 
611 - Brad Pappalardo 
2 - Braydan Galvin 
9 - Rocco Scopellite 
999 - Major Davis 

Youth First Division Main Event 
4 - Joey Holt 
66 - Jason Ramirez 
154 - Chad Hoyt

Support B Consolation 
198 - Mike Boyle 
102 - Jim Lavender 
300 - Jason Dupuy
303 - Bill Carr   (retired) 

Support B Consolation (awarded)
170 - Yoshi Sato 10
150 - Damon Barry 20
312 - Charlie Ousley 10
714 - Joe Dillard 10
308 - Hugh Randolph 10
172 - Jim Painter 10 

Support B Main Event 
136 - Kim Stevens 10
210 - Tim Cochren 20
290 - Harold Hartke  20
212 - Steve Dziadus  20
177 - Steve Bowen 20
326 - Mark Lane 20 

Support Semi 
117 - Billy Braden 
147 - Rick Farron 
241 - John Marquez 
132 - Justin Hassan (fell) 

Support Semi (restarted)
163 - Rohn Zellner 
77 - Bryan Buffington 
178 - Eloy Medellin (fell, remounted)
383 - Randy Skinner (fell) 

Support Main Event 
77 - Bryan Buffington 
117 - Billy Braden 
163 - Rohn Zellner 
147 - Rick Farron 

Handicap Main Event (restarted) (awarded)
 86 - Neil Facchini 10
  6 - Shawn McConnell 40
  2 - Josh Larsen 40
  9 - Mike Faria 50
 11 - Bobby Schwartz 40
139 - Shaun Harmatiuk 30 (fell, excluded)
 39 - Buck Blair 30 (non starter)
142 - Ricky Wells 30 (non starter) 

Last Chance 
11 - Bobby Schwartz 
6 - Shawn McConnell 
142 - Ricky Wells 
37 - Denny Scopellite 

Scratch Main Event
2 - Josh Larsen 
11 - Bobby Schwartz 
8 - Bryan Yarrow 
1 - Charlie Venegas 
9 - Mike Faria