VICTORVILLE, CA

"Battlin' Buck" Blair brought the curtain down on the high-desert speedway season by winning the Speedway Billy Memorial at Wheel2Wheel Raceway in Victorville, California.

Ricky Wells, making his first domestic appearance since winning the SRA National Championship in September, entered the main undefeated and started in gate one. Blair started in gate four and exploded into the lead, followed by Wells and former World Finalist Josh Larsen. The Colorado native immediately went to the preferred upper line, while Wells tried to find a way past. Blair was up to the task and was first to the checkered flag. Wells had to settle for second, Larsen finished third, and Neil Facchini was fourth.

The Speedway Billy Memorial honored "Speedway Billy" Huspek, a longtime fan and fixture at Southern California speedway events, who passed away earlier this year. The First Division heats included four races in which a rider would honor Billy Huspek by riding as his proxy with a number 5. Points earned as a proxy counted as Billy's total and not toward the proxy rider's total. In addition, a Match Race featured Jonni Jade competing as "Speedway Billy" against Rick Huspek, Billy's brother.

Larsen kicked off the heats by cruising to victory, ahead of John Marquez. Blair was leading the next heat until a mechanical failure caused him to fall in the last corner and hand the win to Facchini. Wells began his evening with a win. Larsen followed that heat by defeating Marquez and Facchini for his second straight win. Blair beat Joey Holt for his first victory. Wells beat Facchini in event 16 for his second win in a row.

Next, Blair defeated Larsen for his second consecutive victory. Facchini, in a proxy ride for Speedway Billy, beat Robbie Sauer and Rick Valdez. Wells took event 25 for his third straight victory. Blair defeated Facchini in the penultimate heat to make it three wins in a row for himself. Wells defeated Larsen in the last heat to remain unbeaten.

Larsen led all the way in the last-chance qualifier and was followed into the main event by Neil Facchini, who finished second.

Seventeen-year-old Dylan Black started in gate four and trapped the field at the start of the Second Division main event. Black's lead was never threatened and he went on to take the victory. Geoff Herkner finished second, Butch Waymire was third, and Steve Dziadus finished fourth.

Ari Gardner shot to the front quickly in the Third Division main event, while Tim McGrath swiftly worked his way through traffic to get himself into second. McGrath put the pressure on Gardner the entire distance but was unable to get past. Gardner took the win, McGrath settled for second, Jonni Jade finished third, Gene Stone was fourth, Tony De Almeida finished fifth, and Rick Huspek was sixth.

This event marked the end of the speedway season at Wheel2Wheel Raceway. Wheel2Wheel's 2010 season is tentatively scheduled to begin on Saturday, March 27.

Results

YTH SDCR: 1. Amanda Ramirez/Ally McGrath; 2. Major Davis/Lexi Davis.

SDCR: 1. Brian Motis/Brandi McElroy; 2. Scott Driggers/Matt Davis.

POWDERPUFF: 1. Ally McGrath (Yam); 2. Julie Shockley (Yam); 3. Lexi Davis (Kaw).

P/W: 1. Brandon Rhea; 2. Jimmy McDonald; 3. Dakota Shockley.

YTH: 1. Maxwell Ruml (Hon); 2. Nicky Reimer (SDR); 3. Major Davis (Hon); 4. Amanda Ramirez (Hon).

D-3: 1. Ari Gardner (Jaw); 2. Tim McGrath (Jaw); 3. Jonni Jade (Jaw); 4. Gene Stone (Jaw); 5. Tony De Almeida (Jaw).

D-2: 1. Dylan Black (Jaw); 2. Geoff Herkner (Wes); 3. Butch Waymire (Jaw); 4. Steve Dziadus (GM).

D-1 LCQ: 1. Josh Larsen (GM); 2. Neil Facchini (GM); 3. John Marquez (GM); 4. Robbie Sauer (Jaw).

D-1 MAIN: 1. Buck Blair (JRM); 2. Ricky Wells (GM): 3. Josh Larsen (GM); 4. Neil Facchini (GM).