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Perris RacewayPerris, CaliforniaTeam League Racing Round 1 ACES AND VIKINGS DRAW FIRST BLOOD IN LEAGUE ACTION AS MANZARES SCORES A FLAWLESS MAXIMUM Perris Raceway, CA 29th February 2020. The 2020 American Speedway League Series got underway at Perris on Feb 29th, with the three time and defending Champion Aces and the 2016 champs Vikings both winning their opening match ups comfortably. Though all the of teams were somewhat shorthanded in numbers, the team program once more did its magic with the riders notably stepping up a notch in effort and performance. Match 1 – Aces 43 – Heathens 31. Gino Manzares scored a relatively unchallenged 5 ride maximum to strike a clear warning that the Aces were intending to land a 4th title in the 6th season of the Perris League. After a tied heat 1, the Aces scored a maximum 5-1 in Heat 2 with Lawrence McNutt and Brad Moreau on song. Robbie Sauer won heat 3 to help bring the Heathens back to two points down but from that point on, the Aces slowly cruised away to a good-sized win. Manzares was backed up with 12 points from Lawrence McNutt and every team member scoring at least one win. The Heathens had ex US Dream Team member Robbie Sauer scoring a bug 13+2. Number 1 rider Blake Borello scored 8 but raced Manzares in every heat. Aces 43: Gino Manzares 15 (5) Maximum, Hayley Perrault 5+1 (5), Lawrence McNutt 12 (5), Brad Moreau 7+2 (4), Jake Myers R/R, David Newsham 4 (4) Heathens 31: Blake Borello 8 (5), Robbie Sauer 13+2 (6), David Perry 4 (5), Joey Donaldson 4+1 (3), Tom Bryant R/R, Dennis Osmer 2 (4) Match 2 – Vikings 39 – Eagles 25. Both the Vikings and Eagles were hit with late withdrawals from their drafted number 1 riders so it was left to their middle and lower order members to step up in quest for a victory. The Vikings simply overpowered the 2018 champion Eagles, leading 17-5 after five heats. The Eagles found their feet as the match went on, reducing the lead to just 6 points at 28-22 after 11 races, but a vital heat 12 5-1 from Kayle LeoGrande and Rohn Zellner re opened up the lead, with Zellner and Andy Dix scoring another maximum in the next race to kill off the comeback. Vikings were led by double figure point hauls from Kayle LeoGrande and Rohn Zellner whilst new 500cc 16-year-old rookie rider Aidan McNutt scored an impressive 9. The Eagles did not have the power to match their opponents, Sammy Tetrault on 8 points being their high point rider. Vikings 39: Sebastian Palmese R/R, Kayle LeoGrande 11 (6), Rohn Zellner 12+1 (5), Andy Dix 5+3 (5), Aidan McNutt 9 (4), Don Nemarnik 2 (4). Eagles 25: Austin Novratil R/R, Sammy Tetrault 8 (6), Kevin Fiore 5 (6), Tyler Moszer 6 (5), Brent Smith 1 (2), Steve Brown 5+1 (4) Round two of the Team Series is on March 28th with an additional draft being held ahead for new riders coming in. League Table (after round 1 of 3) As well as the team program there were races for several other classes. Jose Navarrete scored 3 perfect wins to dominate the 150cc Mini Speedway Class. Navarette missed the gate in the Main and took three laps to pass his fast-improving opponents. The Sidecars made a welcome return with five teams. Dillon Osborne and Jamie Morabito won both of their heats and the Main Event. The other heat went to Robert Curry and Jason Fritze. The Pee Wee Class had seven entries and raced on the TT Track, Reed Sanchez winning all races. The monthly Perris program is back in 28th March with the second Team Series race. The Vikings will race the Heathens and the Aces will take on the Eagles. 150cc Mini Main Sidecar Main Event Pee Wee Main Event (TT Track)
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