Inland Motorcycle Speedway
National Orange Show
San Bernardino, California

Speedway Billy Night
September 25, 2009 - IMS, San Bernardino
By: Ryan Evans

Tuff McBride made his journey from New York pay off by winning the Handicap Main Event on Speedway Billy Night at Inland Motorsport Speedway in San Bernardino presented by Bully Dog.

Josh Abbott led the eight-rider field into turn one and McBride found himself in second place on the first lap. Abbott’s lead lasted until turn four of the second lap when he slid off and allowed McBride to go by. Buck Blair, who had charged through the field from the 40 yard line, immediately tried to chase down the leader. McBride, who competed on Southern California circuit two decades ago, was never fazed by the presence of Blair and smoothly led all the way to the checkered flag. Blair settled for second, “Fast” Eddie Castro was third, Shawn McConnell finished fourth, and Russell Green was fifth.

Blair drew gate one for the Scratch Main and he made it pay off when he jumped into the lead at the start. Jimmy Fishback tried the entire four-lap race to find a way past the Colorado native, but his efforts proved to be futile. Blair took the victory, Fishback was second, Castro finished third, Green was fourth, and “Nasty” Nate Perkins finished fifth.

The Last of the Mohicans Last Man Out Challenge first saw Josh Abbott and then Russell Green get eliminated. This left McConnell and New York’s Adam Mittl for the final, two-lap battle. McConnell made the best start, but Mittl was undeterred and tried to go underneath the leader on the back straight. McConnell held him at bay, but Mittl tried the same move again on the final lap. McConnell was equal to the task and was able to hold him off for the victory. The appreciative crowd gave both riders a loud ovation for their effort.

The Second Division Main was easily the wildest event of the evening. The first attempt ended when Kyle Hicks made contact with Northern California’s Steve Lewotsky, sending him through the turn four fence. Lewotsky was able to walk away, but didn’t take part in the restart. The track staff replaced the plywood, but on the restart Hicks got into trouble in turn three and hit the fence in a different part of turn four. The result was a shortened motorcycle and more work on the turn four fence. On the third attempt, Philip Harmatiuk patiently worked through the field and claimed the victory. Rick Valdez finished second, Bubba Vazzana was third, and Geoff Herkner finished fourth.

Second-generation racer Tyson Talkington collected the hardware in the Third Division Main Event with a dominant victory. Chris Jones finished second, Mike Wiley was third, and Rod Requejo finished fourth.

Nick Varner led all four laps to win the Pee Wee Main Event. William Ballasteros finished second and Hanna Smith finished third.

The event was held in honor of “Speedway Billy” Huspek, a long-time speedway supporter who passed away earlier this year. Huspek was a fixture at every speedway event and made friendships with many of the riders, promoters, track staff, and fans of speedway in Southern California.

RESULTS 

Pee Wee Main Event 
  3 – Nick Varner
  7 – William Ballasteros
  9 – Hanna Smith 
  
  Third Division Consolation 
  268 – DeWayne Stark 
  211 – Steve Brown
  226 – Rick Huspek
  124 – Paul Thornton
  308 – Hugh Randolph
  
  Third Division Main Event
  220 – Tyson Talkington
  116 – Chris Jones
  101 – Mike Wiley
  131 – Rod Requejo 
 
  Second Division Consolation 
  257 – Justin Weeks
  189 – Chris Thomas
  122 – Kevin Johnson 
  100 – Phil Harmatiuk
  
  Second Division Main Event (restarted twice)
  149 – Philip Harmatiuk 30
  293 – Rick Valdez 30
  274 – Bubba Vazzana 0
  208 – Geoff Herkner 0
  103 – Kyle Hicks		20	(non starter – second restart)
  190n – Steve Lewotsky		30	(non starter – restart) 
 
  Last of the Mohicans Last Man Out Challenge 
  6 – Shawn McConnell 
  2e – Adam Mittl	
  321 – Russell Green 
  141 – Josh Abbott 
  
 Handicap Main Event 
  72e – Tuff McBride		20
  39 – Buck Blair 40
  14 – Eddie Castro 40
  6 – Shawn McConnell 40
  321 – Russell Green 20
  184 – Tyson Burmeister		30
  149 – Philip Harmatiuk 10
  141 – Josh Abbott		10	(fell) 

First Division Last Chance 
  39 – Buck Blair 
  2e – Adam Mittl
  72e – Tuff McBride
  86 – Neil Facchini (fell, remounted) 
  
Scratch Main Event 
  39 – Buck Blair 
  25 – Jimmy Fishback 
  14 – Eddie Castro 
  321 – Russell Green 
  13 – Nate Perkins (fell, remounted)