Fast Fridays Speedway
Gold Country Fairgrounds
Auburn, California
Venegas Edges Janniro in Scratch Main
By Michael Kirby (Story & Photos)
AUBURN, CALIFORNIA, JULY 16, 2010
For only the second time this season at Fast Friday’s Motorcycle Speedway in Auburn Billy Janniro was beaten in the Division I scratch main event. Earlier in the season Scott Brant was able to accomplish the feat and Friday night at the Gold Country Fairgrounds Charlie Venegas chipped away at Janniro’s winning streak a little, got a good gate, and won the scratch main event. “Who would have thought out of gate four, but it’s getting to be that time of year that we get everything dialed,” said Venegas. Venegas found himself facing a talented field in Friday night’s scratch main event with Janniro lined up alongside him in lane three, Bart Bast in lane two, and Tommy Hedden positioned in lane one. As the tapes went up starting the night’s finale, Venegas got an excellent gate beating Janniro to the inside line in turn one. Janniro tried to pass Venegas on the outside but found no luck with the dryness of the late night track. Janniro also had his hands full with a pesky Hedden pushing him hard in a back and forth, side-by-side battle just behind Venegas. Venegas held on for the win in an amazing show of skilled veteran ridership. Janniro held off Hedden but had to settle for second place, Hedden finished third and Bast fourth.
Janniro has dominated the scratch main event winning eight of ten mains this season, and was last week’s high scorer and main event winner at Fast Friday’s annual North vs. South Civil War Challenge. Janniro and Venegas look to be major players next week as the opening round of the AMA/USA Budweiser National Speedway Championship Series is staged at Fast Friday’s.
Janniro, riding off the 60 yard line captured the Division I handicap main event in a thrilling near photo finish with fellow Red Line Oil teammate Kelly Kerrigan who is currently riding off the 10 yard line. Kerrigan finished second and Hedden finished third. Tom Fehrman topped Division II main event, Matt Drury was second, and Casey Cornilson was third. Chris Popanz led the Division III main event finishers, Robby Northham was second and Greg Lovelin was third. The Youth A main event was won by PJ Byrne and the Youth B main event was won by Kurtis Hamill.
Fast Friday’s presented a special program of vintage speedway races with riders on older two valve, upright motor 500cc bikes. Retired veteran rider and Fast Friday’s favorite Bobby Heddenwon all three races for the night’s vintage championship. “It’s been five years since I retired, but it feels good to get out here with these guys,” said Hedden. Several invited retired riders from yesteryear met on the track and were acknowledged for their individual accomplishments to the sport of motorcycle racing.
Results from 7-16-10
Division 1 Scratch Main Event
1- Charlie Venegas, 2- Billy Janniro, 3- Tommy Hedden, 4- Bart Bast
Division I Handicap Main Event
1- Billy Janniro, 2- Kelly Kerrigan 3- Tommy Hedden, 4- Bart Bast
Division II Main Event
1- Tom Fehrman, 2- Matt Drury, 3- Casy Cornilson
Division III Main Event
1- Chris Popanz, 2- Robby Northam, 3- Greg Lovelin
Division I Youth A Main
1- PJ Byrne
Division II Youth B Main
1- Kurtis Hamill
Vintage
1- Bobby Hedden
Division II Youth B Main
1- PJ Bryne
Photos By Michael Kirby
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