COSTA MESA, CA

It was the Warren Russell Cup on Saturday night at California's Costa Mesa Speedway, in honor of the man promoter "Rad Brad" Oxley calls the "Roger Penske of Speedway" and the riders affectionately call "Grandpa." A good number of riders have been helped by Grandpa over the years, and they all wanted to see their name on the perpetual trophy. However, for the second week in a row, it was "Flyin' Mike" Faria who put it all together when it counted most and who stood on top of the podium when the night was over.

The track was something else, and it was one of those rare nights when the outside line was working, which made for some exciting races and, unfortunately, some horrendous crashes. It was an all-Scratch program, with the top 10 transferring to two semifinals.

There was a run-off for the last two spots in the semis, among Tyson Burmeister, Eddie Castro and Steve Russell. It was a case of "don't be last." Burmeister took the lead, but it was Castro, working the outside, who took control on the second lap and brought it home. Burmeister was second. Sadly for Russell, his night was over.

The first semi had Charlie "The Edge" Venegas, who so far was perfect on the night, on the pole. Bobby "Boogaloo" Schwartz was in two, with Faria in three. On the outside, it was Burmeister and Northern California rider John Houston Jr. The gate went to Schwartz, and he held Venegas at bay for two laps, but when the outside is working, that's where Venegas likes to go, and he took the lead on the white-flag lap. It would be Venegas and Schwartz advancing to the main. Faria and Burmeister would meet again in the last-chance qualifier.

The second semi had "Gorgeous Gary" Hicks - who so far had also been perfect on the night - on the pole. "Battlin' Buck" Blair was in two, with Shawn "Mad Dog" McConnell in three. Doug "The Destroyer" Nicol was in four, with Castro in five. The first attempt at a go saw five riders get into the first turn at the same time. They all made it, but when they hit turn three, it turned into a three-rider pileup, as Hicks, Nicol and Castro went down in a tangle of bikes and riders. It was one of those crashes from which not everyone walks away, and when the bike-and-body inventory was taken, Nicol was unable to come back.

They lined up again, and this time the gate went to Blair, with McConnell out second. The only change in position came on the final lap, when something on Hicks' bike went south. Blair and McConnell were set for the main, while Castro and Hicks got ready for the LCQ.

The LCQ became a three-rider go when Hicks was unable to make the call. It was over as soon as the tapes came up - game, set, match, Faria, and he would be the final rider in the Warren Russell Cup main event.

They rolled to the line for choice of gate. Venegas opted for the pole, with Schwartz in two and Blair in three. On the outside were McConnell and Faria. They loaded in, the light went green, the tape came up - and the light went red, as the ref felt someone had touched the tape before it went up.

They loaded in again, and this time Venegas got into the tape and was sent back to the 20-yard line. That was the kiss of death in such a star-studded field.

They loaded in again, and this time they all got away clean, with Faria leading the way and Schwartz right behind him. Schwartz tried to get by on the inside, but when the outside is working like it was, he just couldn't make it happen; he would have to settle for second. Blair and McConnell had their own war going, and it was Blair who got the nod in this one. Venegas rounded out the field.

Joey Holt, a newly graduated Junior rider, topped the field in the Support main. Ryan Tovatt, Tyson Talkington and Rudy Laurer followed him home.

New rider Derrick Klein got his first win as he topped Todd Silicato, Mike Boyle, T-Rod Requejo and Charlie Ousley to take the Support B main-event victory.

Junior riders Michael Wells, Hayley Perrault and Rocco Scopettite all posted wins.

Results

SCR MAIN: 1. Mike Faria (JAWA/CZ); 2. Bobby Schwartz (JAWA/CZ); 3. Buck Blair (JAWA/CZ); 4. Shawn McConnell (GM); 5. Charlie Venegas (JAWA/CZ).

SUP MAIN: 1. Joey Holt (JAWA/CZ); 2. Ryan Tovatt (JAWA/CZ); 3. Tyson Talkington (JAWA/CZ); 4. Rudy Laurer (JAWA/CZ).

SUP B MAIN: 1. Derrick Klein (JAWA/CZ); 2. Todd Silicato (JAWA/CZ); 3. Mike Boyle (JAWA/CZ); 4. T-Rod Requejo (JAWA/CZ); 5. Charley Ousley.