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Former National Champion "Flyin" Mike Faria finished a perfect evening by winning the main event of the 2011 Spring Classic at the world famous Costa Mesa Speedway. Faria and defending National Champion Billy "The Kid" Janniro both entered the main event with perfect scores. Janniro won the draw for first gate choice. When announcer Terry "Ike" Clanton stated over the public address system that Janniro would probably pick gate one, the Northern California native stated, "Just because you said that, I'm going to take gate two." Faria immediately staked claim to gate one. This move is not unprecedented for Janniro. He was in the same situation at the 2004 National Championship, chose gate two, and was victorious. Janniro made the best start and beat everyone to turn one. However, he went wide in turn two and the inside groove was where the most traction was. Faria planted himself on the pole and charged up the inside of the leader and took control as they entered turn three. Fishback locked himself onto Faria's back tire which left Janniro stuck on the outside. Faria and Fishback began to pull away from Janniro, who then dropped to the inside. Fishback tried furiously to force a mistake from Faria, but the savvy former National Champion remained composed, kept him at bay, and led to the finish. Fishback had to settle for second, Janniro was third, Bobby "Boogaloo" Schwartz finished fourth, and "Nasty" Nate Perkins was fifth. Two-time National Champion Charlie "The Edge" Venegas kicked off the heats with a victory over Neil Facchini. Janniro blazed to his first victory in heat two. Faria began his evening by defeating Buck Blair. Fishback beat Schwartz to end round one. Venegas opened the final round with a win over Steve Russell. Janniro remained perfect by handing Fishback his first defeat. Faria beat Perkins in the penultimate heat. Schwartz closed out the heats by beating "Fast" Eddie Castro. Faria and Fishback finished one-two in the first semi and transferred to the main event. Janniro was an easy winner in the second semi with Perkins following him into the main. Schwartz beat Blair, Facchini, and Green in the Last Chance to secure the final spot in the main event. Sixteen year old Joey "The Bolt" Holt led all four laps en route to victory in the Support Main Event. Ryan Tovatt was second, Devin Defreece finished third, and Geoff Herkner was fourth. Gabe Price, who finished third in last year's Youth National Championship, put together four perfect laps and ran away from the competition and claimed victory in the Support B Main Event. Brad Moreau finished second, Malcom Roe was third, and Norman Graham finished fourth. Max Ruml was victorious in the Youth 250cc Main Event with Samuel Ramirez finishing in second and Dillon Ruml getting third. Dillon Ruml led the Youth 200cc First Division Main Event before sliding off in turn two and handed the lead to Broc Nicol. Nicol never looked back from there and went on to victory. Hayley Perrault finished second, Dalton Leedy was third, Kurtis Hamill was fourth, and Dillon Ruml was credited with fifth. Sebastian "Big Daddy" Palmese led from start to finish and won the Youth 200cc Second Division Main Event. Gino Scopellite finished second, Chase Sanborn was third, Maverick Molloy finished fourth, and Michael Wells was fifth. Dylan Beard and Crystal Laurie made the best start in the Sidecar Main Event and led a very physical first lap. Bryan Motis and Dave German found enough steam exiting turn four to push underneath the Beard and Laurie in turn one and take over the lead. National Champions Joe Jones and Jimmy Olsen also got past, but weren't satisfied with second. Jones and Olsen pressured the leaders the entire distance, but couldn't force a mistake. Motis and German were first to the checkered flag, Jones and Olsen finished second, Beard and Laurie were third, and Dave Alexander and Jay Hansen finished fourth. The 2011 Spring Classic had a large crowd and had a completely full program. 60 competitors on 500s, 12 youth racers, and eight sidecars made for a crowded pit area. However, it is problem that International Speedway, Inc., and all promoters for that matter, love to have. The next event at Costa Mesa will be this Saturday, May 14. The day will begin with Amateur Afternoon, which will also include the Billy Hamill/Hagon Shocks Speedway Academy. The evening's racing will be the 43rd annual Season Opener with the Support and Youth heats beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the First Division heats blasting off at 7:30 p.m. RESULTS Sidecar Consolation Sidecar Main Event Youth 200cc Second Division Main Event Youth 200cc First Division Main Event Youth 250cc Main Event Support B Main Event Support Main Event First Division Last Chance First Division Main Event |
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