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Costa Mesa Speedway
Orange County Fairgrounds
Costa Mesa, California
FREESTYLE MOTOCROSS BACKFLIP
September 20, 2008 - Costa Mesa
By: Ryan Evans
Shawn “Mad Dog” McConnell saw his winning streak end last week, but started a new one by capturing the Scratch Main Event in front of a large crowd at the world famous Costa Mesa Speedway.
McConnell earned first choice for the Scratch Main Event and made it pay off. He selected the pole and used it to get the best start and led the field into turn one. Fair Derby Champion Jimmy “Little Animal” Fishback was snapping at McConnell’s heels on the back straight but couldn’t get past. Fishback kept the pressure on McConnell the entire four laps, but couldn’t find a way past. McConnell was first to the checkered flag, Fishback was second, Shaun Harmatiuk finished third, Bobby Schwartz was fourth, and Brad Sauer finished fifth.
Fishback began the heats by cruising to the win ahead of Brad Sauer. Neil Facchini kept Jason Ramirez at bay to win the next heat. McConnell collected his first win in the third heat. Schwartz beat Robbie Sauer to finish the first round.
The earned-handicap rounds began with Harmatiuk winning. Ramirez held off Brad Sauer to win the next heat. Bobby Krips led all four laps to win event 11. John Stunkard led the final race of the second round from start to finish.
Russell Green beat Fishback to begin the final round of heats. Robbie Sauer won event 18. McConnell won the next heat for his second win. Schwartz garnered his second victory in the final heat race of the evening. Dale Facchini defeated Krips in a runoff for the final spot in the semis.
Fishback won the first semi with Harmatiuk following him into the main event. McConnell was victorious in the second semi with Schwartz taking second to also transfer to the main. Brad Sauer scored an impressive win in the Last Chance to book the final spot in the main.
Eloy Medellin got the best start and led all four laps to win the Support Main Event. Bryan Buffington finished second, Steve Bowen was third, Rudy Laurer finished fourth, and Philip Harmatiuk was fifth.
Pat Smith never made a mistake en route to victory in the Support B Main Event. Ralph Chudy was second, Jim Lavender finished third, and Mike Boyle was fourth.
This Saturday’s event at Costa Mesa Speedway will be the Jack Milne Cup and the Legends Reunion. The Jack Milne Cup honors the 1937 World Champion who was very instrumental in bringing Costa Mesa Speedway into existence. The Legends Reunion has increased significance this year because it is a celebration of Costa Mesa’s 40th season of speedway. The event will have a vintage bike show, memorabilia displays, autograph sessions, the largest lineup of legends making appearances, as well as legends match races.
RESULTS
Support B Consolation (restarted)
266 – Jonni Jade
255 – Kris Harlow
371 – Gary Greenwood
399 – Jeff Shaffer
Support B Consolation (awarded)
252 – Jeff Remington
169 – Dan Wensloff
124 – Paul Thornton
222 – Tom Bostic
Support B Main Event
247 – Pat Smith
362 – Ralph Chudy
102 – Jim Lavender
198 – Mike Boyle (retired)
Support Consolation
150 – Damon Barry
132 – Justin Hassan
136 – Kim Stevens
176 – Carl Gazafy
Support Last Chance
149 – Philip Harmatiuk
147 – Rick Farron (fell)
201 – Dylan Black (fell)
389 – Ryan Tovatt (fell)
Support Main Event
178 – Eloy Medellin
77 – Bryan Buffington
177 – Steve Bowen
182 – Rudy Laurer
149 – Philip Harmatiuk (fell)
First Division Scoring 1 2 3 T
6 – Shawn McConnell 3 2 3 8
11 – Bobby Schwartz 3 0 3 6
17 – Robbie Sauer 2 0 3 5
19 – Dale Facchini 1 2 1 4
21 – Brad Sauer 2 2 1 5
22 – Mike Bloom 0 0 2 2
24 – Bobby Krips 1 3 0 4
25 – Jimmy Fishback 3 2 2 7
66 – Jason Ramirez 2 3 1 6
72e – Tuff McBride 1 1 1 3
86 – Neil Facchini 3 0 2 5
120 – Doug Greyson 0 1 0 1
139 – Shaun Harmatiuk 2 3 2 7
184 – Tyson Burmeister 0 1 0 1
249 – John Stunkard 0 3 0 3
321 – Russell Green 1 1 3 5
Race Results
1: Fishback, B.Sauer, McBride, Stunkard
2: N.Facchini, Ramirez, Green, Greyson
3: (restarted) McConnell, Harmatiuk, D.Facchini, Burmeister (penalty line)
4: Schwartz, R.Sauer, Krips, Bloom
9: Harmatiuk [20], Fishback [30], Greyson [0], Bloom [0]
10: Ramirez [20], B.Sauer [20], Burmeister [0], R.Sauer [20]
11: Krips [10], McConnell [30], McBride [10], N.Facchini [30]
12: Stunkard [0], D.Facchini [10], Green [10], Schwartz [30]
17: Green [10], Fishback [20], D.Facchini [20], Krips [30]
18: R.Sauer [0], Bloom [0], Ramirez [30], Stunkard [30]
19: McConnell [20], Harmatiuk [30], B.Sauer [20], Greyson [10]
20: Schwartz [0], N.Facchini [0], McBride [10], Burmeister [10]
Runoff: D.Facchini, Krips
Semi #1: Fishback, Harmatiuk, B.Sauer, D.Facchini, R.Sauer (fell, remounted)
Semi #2: McConnell, Schwartz, Ramirez, N.Facchini, Green
Last Chance
21 – Brad Sauer
19 – Dale Facchini
66 – Jason Ramirez
86 – Neil Facchini
Scratch Main Event
6 – Shawn McConnell
25 – Jimmy Fishback
139 – Shaun Harmatiuk
11 – Bobby Schwartz
21 – Brad Sauer
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