INDUSTRY HILLS, CA

Ricky Wells backed up his National Championship victory in September with another unblemished performance en route to winning the California State Championship at Industry Speedway.

Wells scored a perfect 15 points in his five races and was never headed all night. His victory, at 18 years of age, makes him the youngest California State Champion in history. (Lance King was 19 when he claimed his title in 1982.) The 2008 State Champion, Charlie "The Edge" Venegas, scored 13 points to collect second overall. Buck Blair and Gary Hicks each scored 12 points, but the curfew prevented them from competing in a run-off for third overall. Blair was awarded third overall since he'd defeated Hicks earlier in the evening.

Four-time State Champion "Flyin' Mike" Faria opened the evening with a victory over Blair. Venegas began his title defense with a win, ahead of Jason Ramirez. Doug Nicol led the third race for a lap before Shawn "Mad Dog" McConnell took over the lead. McConnell was pressured by Hicks for a lap and a half before he got by for the lead and the win. Wells ended the first round of heats by defeating Nate Perkins.

The second round started with Wells holding off a persistent Venegas for his second straight win. Faria made it two in a row by beating Nicol. Blair scored an important victory over Hicks in the next race. "Fast Eddie" Castro finished round two with a win over Ramirez.

Round three began with John Marquez leading for three laps before Hicks made a great outside pass to grab the lead and then rode off with the win. Venegas beat Castro and Faria for his second win. McConnell and Blair raced shoulder to shoulder the entire race, with McConnell getting the win, but both riders received a rousing ovation from the appreciative crowd. Wells concluded the third round with his third straight win and was the only unbeaten rider.

Castro started round four with a win over Under 21 National Champion Bryce Starks.

Wells, Hicks, and Faria met in an event 32 that would have a profound impact on the championship picture: Wells claimed his fourth consecutive victory, with Hicks getting second, while Faria was mired in fourth.

The very next race was important, as Venegas needed a victory to have a realistic hope of retaining his title. Blair put those hopes to rest as he held off the three-time State Champion for his second win.

McConnell was running second in event 34, but he hounded Tyson Burmeister for two laps before forcing a mistake that gave him his second victory.

After four rounds, Wells was alone at the top of the chart with 12 points; Hicks, Blair and Venegas each had 10 points; McConnell and Castro had eight points apiece.

The final round commenced with Ramirez beating Nicol and Brad Pappalardo. McConnell beat Faria for his third straight win.

Wells took to the track with Blair and Castro starting inside him and serving as the barriers between him and the title. Wells rocketed into the lead at the start, but Blair didn't give up easily. The Colorado native tried the outside, but Wells calmly blocked his path. Blair couldn't offer another serious threat, and Wells completed his clean sweep to claim the championship.

Although Venegas didn't win his third straight title, his victory in the final event meant he only had to take one step down on the podium to second overall.

The first attempt to run the Second Division State Championship final ended when Eloy Medellin went down in turn two. Medellin was penalized on the restart. Sean McDougall was off the starting line first in the restart, with Rudy Laurer behind him. McDougall calmly led all four laps and was first to the checkered flag. Laurer finished second, Jeff Remington was third, and Medellin was credited with fourth.

John "X-Man" Pavia led all four laps to claim the victory in the Third Division State Championship final. Tony De Almeida finished second, Rod Requejo was third, and Gene Stone finished fourth.

River McDougall came from behind to win his first two races and wisely settled for second in his final race to claim the overall Youth First Division State Championship. Rocco Scopellite won a heat and was second overall, Samuel Ramirez was third overall, Maxwell Ruml was fourth overall, and Nicky Reimer was fifth overall.

Dillon Ruml won all three races to claim the Youth Second Division State Championship. Hayley Perrault was second overall, Michael Wells finished third overall, and Gino Scopellite was fourth overall.

Nicky Reimer ran away with the Pee Wee State Championship, with Michael Wells finishing second and Nick Varner getting credit for third.

National Champions Joe Jones & Jimmy Olsen led all four laps of the main event to add the Sidecar State Championship to their trophy case. Gerard Jackson & Dave German finished second, Brian Motis & Brandi McElroy were third, Shawn Driggers & Missy Driggers finished fourth, and Scott Driggers & Casey Driggers were fifth.

The 34th California State Championship brought an end to Industry Speedway's 2009 season. Industry Speedway has tentatively scheduled its 2010 season opener for Wednesday, June 2.

Results

SDCR STATE FINAL: 1. Joe Jones/Jimmy Olsen; 2. Gerard Jackson/Dave German; 3. Brian Motis/Brandi McElroy; 4. Shawn Driggers/Missy Driggers; 5. Scott Driggers/Casey Driggers.

P/W STATE FINAL: 1. Nicky Reimer; 2. Michael Wells; 3. Nick Varner.

YTH D-2 O/A: 1. Dillon Ruml (Honda); 2. Hayley Perrault (Honda); 3. Michael Wells (Shu); 4. Gino Scopellite (Shu).

YTH D-1 O/A: 1. River McDougall (SDR); 2. Rocco Scopellite (JAWA/CZ); 3. Samuel Ramirez (Honda); 4. Maxwell Ruml (Honda); 5. Nicky Reimer (SDR).

D-3 STATE FINAL: 1. John Pavia (JAWA/CZ); 2. Tony De Almeida (JAWA/CZ); 3. Rod Requejo (JAWA/CZ); 4. Gene Stone (JAWA/CZ).

D-2 STATE FINAL: 1. Sean McDougall (JAWA/CZ); 2. Rudy Laurer (JAWA/CZ); 3. Jeff Remington (JAWA/CZ); 4. Eloy Medellin (JAWA/CZ).

CALIFORNIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: 1. Ricky Wells (15 pts); 2. Charlie Venegas (13); 3. Buck Blair (12); 4. Gary Hicks (12); 5. Shawn McConnell (11); 6. (TIE) Mike Faria (9)/Eddie Castro (9)/Jason Ramirez (9); 9. (TIE) Doug Nicol (7)/Tyson Burmeister (7); 11. (TIE) Brad Pappalardo (4)/Bryce Starks (4); 13. (TIE) Nate Perkins (3)/Josh Abbott (3); 15. John Marquez (1); 16. Bobby Schwartz (0).