Inland Motor Speedway
National Orange Show
San Bernardino, California

California Speedway
September 9, 2012 - Inland Motorcycle Speedway - San Bernardino
By: Ryan Evans

Photos from Howie Zechner Facebook Photo Album

Shawn "Mad Dog" McConnell came out on top of a great battle for his second straight main event victory at Inland Motorcycle Speedway in San Bernardino.

McConnell started in gate one and hugged the inside line through the first corner while "Battling" Buck Blair, who started in gate five, used the outside cushion. The pair was side-by-side on the back straight and used the same racing lines through turns three and four. The battle continued through lap one and into the next corner with Blair surging ahead the second time on the back straight but McConnell finding enough traction exiting turn four to pull even at the halfway point. Blair found more traction in turn two again and went to mid-track through turn three in what would prove to be a vital error. The Colorado native didn't find as much traction as the outside and didn't close the door on McConnell who assumed the lead as they took the white flag. Blair tried one last time to find enough grip in turns one and two and was able to close ground on the back straight. McConnell was on the better line through the final corner and held off Blair for the win. Jimmy "Little Animal" Fishback finished third, "Fast" Eddie Castro was fourth, and Steve Russell finished fifth.

Tyson Talkington opened the heats with an impressive victory over Blair and Castro. Fishback defeated John Marquez in the second heat. Bobby "Boogaloo" Schwartz kept McConnell at bay to finish round one with a victory.

Russell started round two by defeating Fishback. McConnell beat Castro in the next event. Fox and Schwartz swapped the lead before Fox made the final pass on the last lap to secure a win to the second round.

Fox began the final round by beating Castro for his second win in a row. Fishback defeated Marquez in event 17. McConnell finished the heats with a win over Blair.

Fishback and Fox were battling in the first semi before both went wide and Russell charged under both for the lead and the win while Blair followed him to take the other transfer to the main. McConnell and Castro finished one-two in the second semi to transfer to the main event.

Schwartz, Fox, and Fishback went three-wide through turns one and two with Fishback squeezing through a narrow gap on the back straight to take the lead in spectacular fashion. Buoyed by his brilliant move, Fishback led to the finish and took the final spot in the main event field.

Stephen Simrak led from start to finish and was never seriously threatened on his way to victory in the Support Main Event and the extra $100 that was offered by Best Golf Carts. Lewis Hughes finished second, Davey Shaw was third, Tim McGrath finished fourth, Steve "Beach Ball" Brown was fifth, and Phill Santolucito finished sixth.

Dalton Leedy held off every challenge that Hayley Perrault could muster and was victorious in the Youth 250cc Main Event.

Dryden Gayle led the Youth 200cc Main Event through turn one before Michael Wells took over on the back straight. Wells led the next two laps before Braydan Galvin went by as they entered turn three. Galvin never looked back from there en route to victory.

"Lighting" Luke Whitcomb won both heats and claimed victory in the Pee Wee Main Event. Jack Troutt finished second and Zane Turner was third.

The next event at IMS will be the Kelly Moran Memorial. The event honors the legendary two-time National Champion who entertained fans throughout the world with his spectacular style on the track and made many friends with his magnetic personality off the track.

RESULTS

Pee Wee Main Event
27 - Luke Whitcomb
326 - Jake Troutt
222 - Zane Turner

Youth 200cc Main Event
45 - Braydan Galvin 70
214 - Michael Wells 10
18 - Sebastian Palmese 10
4 - Courtney Crone 10
192 - Dryden Gayle 0

Youth 250cc Main Event
222 - Dalton Leedy
0 - Hayley Perrault

Support Main Event
318 - Stephen Simrak 0
244 - Lewis Hughes 10
145 - Davey Shaw 10
186 - Tim McGrath 10
211 - Steve Brown 10
200 - Phil Santolucito 0

First Division Last Chance
25 - Jimmy Fishback
46 - Aaron Fox
48 - Tyson Talkington
11 - Bobby Schwartz (retired)

First Division Main Event
6 - Shawn McConnell
39 - Buck Blair
25 - Jimmy Fishback
14 - Eddie Castro
23 - Steve Russell

Ryan Evans