Costa Mesa Speedway
Orange County Fairgrounds
Costa Mesa, California

California Speedway
June 19, 2010 - Costa Mesa
By: Ryan Evans

Two-time National Champion Charlie “The Edge” Venegas won the main event for the second time this season at the world famous Costa Mesa Speedway.

Venegas and “Flyin” Mike Faria, both made good starts and the duo entered turn one together. Faria inside line appeared to give him the advantage, but Venegas found sufficient traction on the outside and propelled himself into the lead on the back straight. He then secured the position in turns three and four by dropping down to the inside. Faria tried to force a mistake, but the leader never flinched. Venegas crossed the finish line first, Faria was second, Jimmy “The Little Animal” Fishback finished third, Bobby “Boogaloo” Schwartz was fourth, and “Fast” Eddie Castro finished fifth.

Philip Harmatiuk beat fellow ten yard racer Doug Greyson to turn one to take the lead at the start of the Handicap Main Event. Robbie Sauer, who started from the 20 yard line moved past Greyson and into second. Sauer had his hands full with Fishback who was all over the Bakersfield native’s back tire. Fishback finally got past Sauer at the end of lap three and immediately started cutting into Harmatiuk’s lead. Fishback chased down Harmatiuk and was within striking distance with one lap remaining. Harmatiuk led as they entered the final corner and went a little wide on the exit of turn four. Fishback pounced on the opportunity, but Harmatiuk beat him to the checkered flag by a narrow margin. Shawn “Mad Dog” McConnell finished third, Castro was fourth, Sauer finished fifth, and Venegas was sixth.

Brandon Leedy led the Support Main Event through the first corner but Rudy Laurer went around the outside of him on the back straight to take the lead. Laurer never looked back from there and went on to victory. Aaron Fox finished second, Leedy was third, and Rohn Zellner finished fourth.

Norman Graham led all four laps en route to victory in the Support B Main Event. Rick Fritch was second, Mike Boyle finished third, and Dan Wensloff was fourth.

Rocco Scopellite won both his heats and topped his evening by winning the Youth First Division Main Event. Max Ruml finished second, Samuel Ramirez was third, and Gabe Price was fourth.

“Haulin” Hayley Perrault put together four smooth laps and won the Youth Second Division Main Event. Nick Varner was second and Dillon Ruml finished third.

Gino Scopellite matched his brother’s success by winning the Youth Third Division Main Event. Michael Wells finished second and Maverick Molloy was third.

Dylan Beard and Crystal Laurie led the Sidecar Main Event for two laps, but after fighting their way into second, National Champions Joe Jones and Jimmy Olsen set their sights on the leaders. Jones and Olsen slipped by on the inside to take the lead as they completed the third lap and they held on to the lead on the last lap to take the win. Beard and Laurie were second, Gerard Jackson and Dave German finished third, and Scott Driggers and Casey Driggers were fourth.

The next event at Costa Mesa Speedway will be the annual Orange County Fair Derby on Friday, July 16. The Fair Derby coincides with the opening night of the Orange County Fair and will certainly draw a very large crowd. Castro is the defending Fair Derby Champion.

RESULTS

Sidecar Main Event
  1 – Joe Jones/Jimmy Olsen
5150 – Dylan Beard/Crystal Laurie
 66 – Gerard Jackson/Dave German
 13 – Scott Driggers/Casey Driggers

Youth Third Division Main Event
  7 – Gino Scopellite
214 – Michael Wells
 34 – Maverick Molloy

Youth Second Division Main Event
  0 – Hayley Perrault
333 – Nick Varner
111 – Dillon Ruml

Youth First Division Main Event
  9 – Rocco Scopellite
308 – Max Ruml
 22 – Samuel Ramirez		(fell)
 13 – Gabe Price		(fell)

Support B Main Event
129 – Norman Graham
288 – Rick Fritch
198 – Mike Boyle
169 – Dan Wensloff

Support Main Event
182 – Rudy Laurer
146 – Aaron Fox
151 – Brandon Leedy
163 – Rohn Zellner

Handicap Main Event
149 – Philip Harmatiuk		10
 25 – Jimmy Fishback		30
  6 – Shawn McConnell		40
 14 – Eddie Castro		30
 17 – Robbie Sauer		20
 43 – Charlie Venegas		40
120 – Doug Greyson 		10
 11 – Bobby Schwartz		30

First Division Last Chance
 14 – Eddie Castro
  6 – Shawn McConnell
321 – Russell Green
259 – Michael Raines

Scratch Main Event
 43 – Charlie Venegas
  9 – Mike Faria
 25 – Jimmy Fishback
 11 – Bobby Schwartz
 14 – Eddie Castro