COSTA MESA, CA

For the first time this season, there was both Scratch and Handicap racing at Costa Mesa Speedway. Veteran racer Charlie "The Edge" Venegas won the richest race of the night, the Scratch main, while rookie Phil Harmatiuk took top honors on the Handicap side of the program.

Handicap racing was the first order of business: four heats, with the top three in each transferring to the two semifinals. The top four in each semi would make up the grid for the main event. The Handicap format gives the newer Division One riders a crack at being on top.

The first Handicap semi had "Fast Eddie" Castro sent from the 30-yard line to the 50 for a rolling start. He came all the way from there to not only run down the rest of the field but win in a crazy ride by the guy from Ojai. Venegas, also coming from the 50, was second. Robbie Saurer and Doug Greyson, from lower yardage, were able to hang on for third and fourth and a spot in the main.

The second semi had Jimmy "Li'l Animal" Fishback come off the 30 and snatch the win away from rookie Harmatiuk on the last lap. Harmatiuk had been pressuring Michael Raines the whole way and had just moved him off the groove to get by when Fishback took full advantage and took the win in the drag race to the finish line. Joining them in the main would be Shawn "Mad Dog" McConnell and Bobby "Boogaloo" Schwartz.

The lineup for the Handicap main had Greyson and Harmatiuk on the 10-yard line; Saurer alone on the 20; Castro, Fishback and Schwartz sharing the 30; and Venegas and McConnell on the 40. Eight riders, six laps, and it was a clean start, with Harmatiuk and Greyson out one and  two. Saurer was running third, but Fishback and McConnell were on the move: On lap three, they were second and third and looking for more. Harmatiuk, out front, was running mistake-free. Now that he had two seasoned vets on his rear wheel, it would come down to him maintaining his poise. They did their best to intimidate him, but Harmatiuk used his head along with his throttle and the first Handicap main of the season was his. Fishback and McConnell were second and third, followed by Castro, Saurer, Venegas, Greyson and Schwartz.

Four Scratch races determined the 10 riders that would advance to the two semis. The first semi saw "Flyin' Mike" Faria cut the best gate, and he went wire to wire. Fishback was content to follow him home; they would meet again in the main. Castro and Russell Green would get one more shot in the last-chance qualifier.

In the second semi, Venegas, from gate two, put together an textbook ride and went wire to wire. Schwartz would join him in the main. McConnell and Raines moved to the LCQ.

In the LCQ, McConnell, from the pole, cut the best gate, but Castro took over the lead one lap in. McConnell tried to challenge him, but Castro wouldn't back down, and he would be the last man in the main.

For the main event, Faria drew the pole, with Schwartz in two, Fishback in three, and Venegas and Castro on the outside. When the tapes came up, Venegas catapulted into the lead. They were freight-training for all four quick laps, close enough to exchange phone numbers, but no one could find a hole to change the running order. It was a testament to just how good these veteran riders are. The win went to Charlie Venegas (below, left), with Mike Faria (center) second and Jimmy Fishback (right) third. Schwartz and Castro rounded out the field.

Results

SCR MAIN: 1. Charlie Venegas (JAWA/CZ); 2. Mike Faria (JAWA/CZ); 3. Jimmy Fishback (JAWA/CZ); 4. Bobby Schwartz (JAWA/CZ); 5. Eddie Castro (JAWA/CZ).

HDCP MAIN: 1. Phil Harmatiuk (JAWA/CZ); 2. Jimmy Fishback (JAWA/CZ); 3. Shawn McConnell (GM); 4. Eddie Castro (JAWA/CZ); 5. Robbie Saurer (JAWA/CZ).

SUP MAIN: 1. Rudy Laurer (JAWA/CZ); 2. Aaron Fox (JAWA/CZ); 3. Brandon Leedy (JAWA/CZ); 4. Rohn Zellner (JAWA/CZ).

SUP B MAIN: 1. Norman Graham (JAWA/CZ); 2. Rick Fritch (JAWA/CZ); 3. Mike Boyle (JAWA/CZ); 4. Dan Wensloff (JAWA/CZ).

SDCR MAIN: 1. Joe Jones/Jimmy Olson (Yamaha); 2. Scott Driggers/Sean Driggers (Yamaha); 3. Dylan Beard/Crystal Laurie (Yamaha); 4. Gerard Jackson/Dave German (Yamaha).

JR 200 MAIN: 1. Gino Scopellite (Honda); 2. Michael Wells (Honda); 3. Maverick Malloy (Honda).

JR 200 D-1 MAIN: 1. Hayley Perrault (Honda); 2. Dillon Ruml (Honda).

JR 250 MAIN: 1. Rocco Scopellite (JAWA/CZ); 2. Colin Sage (JAWA/CZ); 3. Samuel Ramirez (JAWA/CZ).