COSTA MESA, CA

"Flyin' Mike" Faria won the Scratch main event at Costa Mesa Speedway on Saturday night as International Speedway kicked off its 42nd season at the Orange County Fairgrounds' infamous Bullring. It was an all-Scratch format: three rounds of racing, with the top 10 in points advancing to the two semifinals. There was a run-off for the final spot between Tyson Burmeister, a member of the Dream Team just returned from England, and Northern California rider John Houston Jr. It was a done deal when Houston spun out in turn three and Burmeister secured his spot in the first semi.

Faria drew the pole in the first semi, with "Battlin' Buck" Blair in lane two, Jason Ramirez in three, and Burmeister and Doug "The Destroyer" Nicol in four and five. Faria was on his game and cut a beautiful gate, putting himself on top when they hit the first turn. Burmeister was right behind him. Blair and Nicol were looking for some kind of opening to get through for the transfer spot. Nicol got outside on lap two, and that was all Ramirez needed to get by, but other than that the doors were shut and it would be Faria and Burmeister going to the main and Blair and Ramirez heading to the last-chance qualifier.

The second semi had "Gorgeous Gary" Hicks on the pole, with Tommy Hedden in two, Shawn "Mad Dog" McConnell in three, and Jimmy "Lila' Animal" Fishback and Bobby "Boogaloo" Schwartz on the outside. The gate again went to the guy on the pole, and that was Hicks, who had been perfect on the night. Fishback was going to debate that, and it only took one lap. Hicks made a wobble that cost him dearly, and not only Fishback got by, but Hedden was right with him. Hicks hung on for third, and he and Schwartz would get one more shot in the LCQ, while Fishback and Hedden would join Burmeister in the main.

They rolled out to the line for choice of start position. Faria chose the pole, with Hedden in two and Fishback in three. Blair loaded into four, with Burmeister in five. The tapes came down and the light went green. Veteran rider Faria came up with another great start, and he was gone! Hedden was out second, but Blair was knocking on his door. A very hungry Burmeister made the move on Blair on the second lap to take over third, which left Fishback, who had run into problems on the first lap, to see if he could get back in the game. However, this race goes fast and there's so little time, and it was Faria who brought it home first, with Hedden and Burmeister in the place and show spots. Blair and Fishback rounded out the field.

Austin Novratil, a Junior graduate, is making his mark with the big boys, as he won the Support main, topping another Junior rider, Joey Holt, and veteran rider Rudy Laurer. Michael Raines and Tyson Talkington rounded out the field. The crop of Junior riders moving up the ladder this season is going to be fun to watch.

The Support B winner was new rider Brandon Leedy. He topped Norman Graham, Tim McGrath and Dan Wensloff.

The main event for the Sidecars was rather controversial. When the flag dropped, the number-one team of Joe Jones & Jimmy Olsen got forced into the infield when four sidecar teams all tried to go through the first turn at the same time. No red flag came out, and the win went to Gerald Jackson & Dave German, with Scott & Sean Driggers second and Brian Motis & Loren Thurston third.

Rocco Scopellite went wire to wire to take the Junior win, over Samuel Ramirez, Collin Sage and Nicky Reimer.

Results

SCR MAIN: 1. Mike Faria (JAWA/CZ); 2. Tommy Hedden (JAWA/CZ); 3. Tyson Burmeister (JAWA/CZ); 4. Buck Blair (JAWA/CZ); 5. Jimmy Fishback (JAWA/CZ).

SUP MAIN: 1. Austin Novratil (JAWA/CZ); 2. Joey Holt (JAWA/CZ); 3. Rudy Laurer (JAWA/CZ); 4. Michael Raines (JAWA/CZ); 5. Tyson Talkington (JAWA/CZ).

SUP B MAIN: 1. Brandon Leedy (JAWA/CZ); 2. Norman Graham (JAWA/CZ); 3. Tim McGrath (JAWA/CZ); 4. Dan Wensloff (JAWA/CZ).

SDCR MAIN: 1. Gerald Jackson/Dave German (Yamaha); 2. Scott Driggers/Sean Driggers (Yamaha); 3. Brian Motis/Loren Thurston (Suzuki); 4. Joe Jones/Jimmy Olsen (Yamaha).

JR 250: 1. Rocco Scopellite (JAWA/CZ); 2. Samuel Ramirez (JAWA/CZ); 3. Collin Sage (JAWA/CZ); 4. Nicky Reimer (JAWA/CZ).