SAN BERNARDINO, CA

Tyson Burmeister and Eddie Castro claimed victories on Speedway Racers Remembrance Night at Inland Motorcycle Speedway in San Bernardino, California.

The Scratch main event began with Burmeister and Jimmy "Li'l Animal" Fishback entering turn one wheel to wheel. Fishback found enough traction on the outside and propelled himself into the lead on the back straight. The former Youth National Champion dropped down in front of Burmeister as they entered turn three but found too much grip and went over backward in spectacular fashion in turn four. Burmeister took over the lead and went unchallenged the rest of the way and was first to the checkered flag. Tim Gomez finished second, Castro was third, Mike Faria finished fourth, and Fishback was given credit for fifth.

Brad Pappalardo, the2008 Youth National Champion, led the eight-rider Handicap main-event field for one lap before Fishback went down and brought out the red flag. Pappalardo led the restart, but Steve Russell went by on the inside as they exited turn four. Russell, who returned to speedway earlier this year after nearly two decades away, maintained a comfortable lead before the final lap. Castro gained ground, but the race appeared to be Russell's as they entered the final corner. Disaster struck, however, as Russell sustained a flat tire that slowed him dramatically, and Castro was close enough to win the drag race to the finish. Gomez finished third, Shawn McConnell was fourth, Blair finished fifth, Faria was sixth, Pappalardo was seventh, and Fishback was credited with eighth.

Rohn Zellner led the Second Division main event for three laps, but "Rattlesnake Steve" Bowen's constant pressure paid off when he went underneath Zellner the last time down the back straight. Bowen held Zellner off in the final corner to take the win. Tim McGrath finished third and Mike Wiley was fourth.

Kevin Wybenga backed up his victory two nights earlier with another victory in the Third Division main event. Mike Salyer finished second, Jim Gardner was third, and Kevin Johnson finished fourth.

Max Ruml overcame a half-lap handicap to patiently pass his competitors and win the Youth main event. Nick Varner finished second and Maverick Molloy was third.

Shawn Driggers & Dave German made the best start in the Sidecar main and took the early lead. National Champions Joe Jones & Jimmy Olsen were mired in third but made their way into second. Jones & Olsen chased the leaders, and their persistence paid off when they went underneath for the lead on the last lap. They held on the rest of the way to get the victory. Driggers & German had to settle for second, Brian Motis & Brandi McElroy were third, and Joe Petraglovic & Mike Moreno finished fourth.

Speedway Racers Remembrance Night honored Ernie Roccio, Ken Berry and Randy Evans. All three were killed while racing speedway, and the evening was to pay tribute to them for paying the ultimate sacrifice while competing in the sport they loved.

The next event is the Ken Maely Shoe Championship, to honor the legendary man who not only made the metal skidshoes worn by hundreds of riders but also provided a practice track and was dedicated to the sport of speedway.

Results

SDCR MAIN: 1. Joe Jones/Jimmy Olsen; 2. Shawn Driggers/Dave German; 3. Brian Motis/Brandi McElroy; 4. Joe Petraglovic/Mike Moreno.

P/W MAIN: 1. Jimmy Fishback IV (Yamaha); 2. Chase Sanborn (Honda).

YTH MAIN: 1. Max Ruml (JAWA/CZ); 2. Nick Varner (Honda); 3. Maverick Molloy (SDR).

D-3 MAIN: 1. Kevin Wybenga (JAWA/CZ); 2. Mike Salyer (JAWA/CZ); 3. Jim Gardner (JAWA/CZ); 4. Kevin Johnson (JAWA/CZ).

D-2 MAIN: 1. Steve Bowen (JAWA/CZ); 2. Rohn Zellner (JAWA/CZ); 3. Tim McGrath (JAWA/CZ); 4. Mike Wiley (GM).

HDCP MAIN: 1. Eddie Castro (JAWA/CZ); 2. Steve Russell (JAWA/CZ); 3. Tim Gomez (GM); 4. Shawn McConnell (JAWA/CZ); 5. Buck Blair (JAWA/CZ).

D-1 LCQ: 1. Jimmy Fishback (GM); 2. Neil Facchini (GM); 3. John Marquez (GM); 4. Shawn McConnell (JAWA/CZ).

SCR MAIN: 1. Tyson Burmeister (GM); 2. Tim Gomez (GM); 3. Eddie Castro (JAWA/CZ); 4. Mike Faria (JAWA/CZ); 5. Jimmy Fishback (GM).