Costa Mesa Speedway
Orange County Fairgrounds
Costa Mesa, California
Spring Classic
May 6, 2006 - Costa Mesa
By: Ryan Evans
The world famous Costa Mesa oval may have a new look but the Scratch Main Event winner was the most familiar of names as Bobby "Boogaloo" Schwartz was victorious at the annual Spring Classic.
Schwartz drew the pole position for the main event and it proved advantageous at the start as he launched into the lead when the tapes went up. He was challenged immediately by National Champion Chris Manchester who had started in gate five. The two battled shoulder-to-shoulder for two laps with Manchester edging ahead on the straights and Schwartz leading in the corners. Schwartz pulled ahead on lap three and Manchester switched his attack to the inside. Manchester boasted a valiant attack, but it was to no avail as Schwartz was first to the checkered flag. Dukie Ermolenko returned after a one-year layoff to finish third, Eddie Castro was fourth, and Charlie Venegas finished fifth.
George Fox led the Handicap Main for one and a half laps before going down as he entered turn three. This caused riders and bikes to slide and tumble everywhere, leaving Charlie Venegas as the only rider upright after the dust settled. Justin Boyle seemed to get the worst of the pileup with an apparent shoulder injury, but the former Under 21 National Champion chose to restart.
Boyle was at the front of the field for the restart after Fox was penalized and had the daunting task of holding off seven opponents for eight laps with a sore shoulder. Boyle was up to the task as he calmly held off all challenges, including those in the last several laps from Nate Perkins, to win the Handicap Main. Perkins settled for second, Ryan Fisher was third, Venegas finished fourth, and Buck Blair was fifth.
Rohn Zellner led the Support Main put together four smooth laps and led the Support Main from start to finish. Chris Metoyer was second, Johnny Lupo finished third, and Rick Valdez was fourth.
The Support B Main Event had to be restarted after Steve Dziadus Jr. fell and brought out the red flag. Steve Bowen was never seriously challenged on the restart and took home the victory. Mike Boyle finished second, Monte McKeon was third, Robert Glamuzina finished fourth, Steve Dziadus Jr. was fifth, and Ryan Tovat was sixth.
The Spring Classic was the first event on the calendar for Costa Mesa's 38th consecutive season of speedway. The facility underwent a facelift over the winter with all new bleachers installed on the back straight and in the turns. Also, the track itself was widened which should encourage faster and safer racing.
RESULTS
Support B Consolation (restarted)
194 - Tony Bracy 20
288 - Rick Fritch 10
391 - Mike Bershee 20 (fell, remounted)
309 - Vince Giamformaggio 10 (fell)
Support B Consolation
326 - Mike Lane 10
273 - Matt Moncrest 20
169 - Dan Wensloff 20
308 - Hugh Randolph 10
286 - John Zuber 20 (fell)
191 - Jared Smith 20 (non starter)
Support Main Event (restarted)
177 - Steve Bowen 10
198 - Mike Boyle 20
107 - Monte McKeon 20
313 - Robert Glamuzina 10
272 - Steve Dziadus, Jr. 10 (penalty line) (fell, remounted)
389 - Ryan Tovat 10 (non starter)
Support Consolation
228 - Shane Kump
181 - Michael Novratil
185 - Keith Mullally
338 - Dave Delbridge
Support Consolation
178 - Eloy Medellin
29e - Harold Hartke
118 - Scott Tidwell
150 - Damon Barry
Support Consolation
77 - Bryan Buffington
117 - Billy Braden (fell, remounted)
182 - Rudy Laurer (fell)
214 - Steve Murray (fell)
Support Main Event
163 - Rohn Zellner
148 - Chris Metoyer
125 - Johnny Lupo
293 - Rick Valdez
Handicap Main Event
18 - Justin Boyle 20
13 - Nate Perkins 30
36 - Ryan Fisher 40
43 - Charlie Venegas 50
39 - Buck Blair 30
139 - Shaun Harmatiuk 30
40n - Tommy Hedden 30
29 - George Fox 10 (penalty line) (fell)
Last Chance (restarted)
15 - Dukie Ermolenko
40n - Tommy Hedden
36 - Ryan Fisher (retired)
24 - Bobby Krips (fell, excluded)
Scratch Main Event
11 - Bobby Schwartz
1 - Chris Manchester
15 - Dukie Ermolenko
14 - Eddie Castro
43 - Charlie Venegas
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