Arrowhead Motor Speedway
San Bernardino, California

2001 Arrowhead
Arrowhead Speedway
May 30, 2001
From Ryan Evans

Billy Janniro returned to the United States and made his debut at the new Arrowhead Motor Speedway a success by capturing the Handicap Main and the Scratch Main.

Shaun Harmatiuk started the Handicap Main from the 10 yard line and led the eight-man field into turn one. Richard Jones and Paul Colston, starting from the 20, were immediately feeling heat from Ryan Fisher, who started from the 40, and a quartet of riders starting from the 50. Fisher took second at the end of lap one and closed fast on Harmatiuk. Fisher passed Harmatiuk in turn three and Janniro followed him to take second. The two young stars put on a great battle for the lead. In turn four of the fourth lap the two made contact and went down. The incident collected Shawn McConnell and Gary Hicks as well. After being down for several minutes Hicks was able to get to his feet and restart. McConnell wasn't as fortunate. Although he was able to walk off the track, it was determined that McConnell had suffered a broken ankle.

Referee Steve Lucero determined that Fisher was the cause of the crash and he was sent to the penalty line. Janniro would line up at the tapes for the staggered restart with Hicks starting on the 10 yard line. The final five laps were an epic battle between Janniro and Hicks as the veteran tried inside and outside and it looked as if Hicks had an opening on lap six, but Janniro held him back all the way to the checkered flag. Fisher got through the field to finish third, Shaun Harmatiuk was fourth, and Paul Colston was fifth.

In the Scratch Main, Janniro, from the pole, and Fisher, from the outside, sandwiched Schwartz and Eddie Castro in turn one. As they came out of turn two Janniro held the lead and Castro immediately went after Fisher for second. Janniro steadily pulled away for the victory, but Fisher was in a fight for second. Castro rode the outside line and was beside Fisher on several occasions. On the last lap Fisher was able to secure second, with Castro taking third, and Schwartz finishing fourth.

Jeff Blaydes started from the 10 yard line and held the lead the entire race to earn the Second Division Main Event victory. John Stunkard, who started next to Blaydes on the 10, was never challenged for second, Bobby Krips finished third, Rudy Laurer was fourth, >Mike Lupo was fifth, and Johnny Lupo was sixth.

Scott Tidwell got the best start of the three riders starting from the 10 and opened up a wide lead. Tidwell appeared to have a runaway victory, but Chad Newlee closed the gap on the last lap. Tidwell went very wide exiting turn two the final time and when he went wide again in the last corner, Newlee was there to steal the lead and the victory.

Ricky Wells and Krystal Cramer put on an excellent show as the two juniors drew loud applause each time they competed. Wells was able to beat Cramer by a narrow margin in both races.

Janniro's appearance at Arrowhead Motor Speedway coincided with his return to the United States for the North American World Championship Qualifier at Auburn on Friday. Janniro stated that he will be racing at San Bernardino next Wednesday before returning to England.

RESULTS


Second Division B Consolation
293 - Rick Valdez               10
205 - Mike Lewis                10
115 - Mark Baldwin              10
112 - Bryan Baichtal            20
350 - Kodiak Calkin             10   (non-starter)

Second Division B Main Event
123 - Chad Newlee               20
118 - Scott Tidwell             10
106 - Robert Fiesler            20
117 - Billy Braden              10
228 - >Shane Kump                20
174 - Tomasz Hampel             10

Second Division Consolation
165 - Randy Kreps               10
100 - Phil Harmatiuk            10
103 - Brent Smith               10   (non-starter)

Second Division Consolation
147 - Winston Williams          10
200 - Gerry Duttweiler          30
131 - David Lynch               30
175 - John VanderMuelen         40
234 - >Frank Pecce               30   (non-starter)
321 - Billy Lyons               30   (non-starter)

Second Division Main Event
173 - Jeff Blaydes              10
249 - John Stunkard             10
223 - Bobby Krips               30
182 - Rudy Laurer               20
162 - >Mike Lupo                 30
125 - Johnny Lupo               20   (fell)

Junior Race #1
142 - Ricky Wells
 27 - Krystal Cramer

Junior Race #2
142 - Ricky Wells
 27 - Krystal Cramer

Handicap Main Event
14n - Billy Janniro             50
  3 - Gary Hicks                50
 36 - Ryan Fisher               40
139 - Shaun Harmatiuk           10
 64 - Paul Colston              20
 11 - Bobby Schwartz            50
 19 - Richard Jones             20
  6 - Shawn McConnell           50  

Scratch Consolation
  3 - Gary Hicks
 56 - Jim Estes
 19 - Richard Jones
  6 - Shawn McConnell    (non-starter)

Scratch Main Event
14n - Billy Janniro
 36 - Ryan Fisher
 14 - Eddie Castro
 11 - Bobby Schwartz