Costa Mesa Speedway

Orange County Fairgrounds
Costa Mesa, California

Costa Mesa Speedway
Bobby Schwartz Night
June 11, 2022 - Costa Mesa
By Howie Zechner

Week three of Speedway was once again an extraordinary night of racing in the Action Sports Area at the Costa Mesa Fairgrounds. A full program that features Division 1, 2 and 3 Speedway along with Sidecars and Juniors meant the action was non stop and very competitive. Fact is I do not recall a more intense Main Event as the one from that evening between Austin Novratil and Aaron Fox. It was one for the record books indeed.
Officially titled Bobby Schwartz night, accolades were plentiful as Speedway honored one of its own, Captain America, AKA, Boogaloo Bobby Schwartz. Very popular with friends, fans and fellow racers Boogaloo considers this his favorite and home track.

A lot has happened to this American Superstar since his dad bought him his first speedway machine on Bobby’s 17th birthday in 1974. World Team Cup Champion 1982, World Best Pairs Champion 1981, 1982, U.S. National Champion 1986, 1989, California State Champion 1988, 1991 are just a few of the many races and titles Bobby Schwartz has won in his long and disunited career.

International Speedway had a large 4x8 banner color made and all the riders signed it. A fitting monument, Schwartz rates high with those that know the sport best and all were delighted to be a part of his very special celebration.

Arriving early the days weather would be the envy of anyone, anywhere. Riders had already commandeered their normal pit locations and popups were everywhere. One must complement as most have stepped up with elaborate awnings that relay who they and their sponsors are.

Juniors were there in force and they participated in a wonderful Meet & Greet near the front spectator entrance. All seated at a long table they handed out decals, did autographs and posed for pictures with the steady stream of youngsters and seasoned spectators. Their presence reinforced that the next generation of racers is here, ready and able to fill the ranks of tomorrows 500cc divisions.

Not much to report regarding admission, running, announcing and officiating as everything went like a well-oiled machine. Jaleen, Brad, International Speedway, the crew, know what to do and make it happen seamlessly. Every week has been better and one would never know the heartbreak, expensive and time it took to bring the facility on line after a two year forced hiatus.

No question that the tight Costa Mesa ‘Bull Ring” develops some world class short track racing and of course some unbelievable crashes. This night was no different although it might be arguable the evenings crashes were extremely brutal. Fortunately between good safety gear, knowable and well equipped paramedics and just plain good luck there were no serious injuries. One has to understand that although Speedway is not a contact sport the plain fact is that when you put four or five racers on a small dirt oval to race motorcycles that have no brakes contact will and does happen. Fortunately training and good common sense limits most mishaps to being sore the next day.

Complements must be given to the racers for their lay down skills. Taught at an early age this technique requires the riders to lay down their motorcycle to avoid running over a fellow racers who has crashed. It’s a marvel that even at full speed there is no hesitation to do this. The Laydown is so ingrained in a riders training that tradition dictates that when a racer gets a new, expensive race suite (leathers, although they are now made of many different materials) they will roll in the dirt on the track just to break them in. It’s a tradition respected by all.

The “Little Animal” Jimmy Fishback can attest to how well the laydown works as it most certainly saved his bacon on this night. His dad “The Animal” Jim Fishback is a legend in Speedway and Jimmy has his same Flat Out, Take No Prisoners style. Most of the time it works well but sometimes not so much as a 360 degree mishap turned into a terrific crash and injury was only avoided because of the quick actions of rider Aaron Fox who laid his machine down before hitting the fallen Fishback.

Yea, yea, I know, it’s dangerous but let’s face the facts, It’s part of what makes Speedway so exciting.

Racing was spectacular and for you pencil pushers who what to know who won every race the complete stats are on the bottom of this report.

The Orange County Fair is coming so there will be no Speedway racing here for the next few weeks. International Speedway’s next event will be Super Hooligan on August 10 followed by the World Famous, Speedway Fair Derby on the 11th and FMX and Sidecars on the 12th. Regular weekly racing will resume on August 10.

For those that want their Speedway and don’t want to wait you are in luck cause Industry Racing will start its Speedway program on June 22 with 14 events planned for the 2022 season. Held every Wednesday night in the Grand Arena in the City Of Industry this is a top notch facility and features the same talented racers that compete here at Costa Mesa.
Kern County Raceway in Bakersfield will host a special Speedway National Series, Round one on June 25th. It like the other tracks will feature outstanding racing by the country best racers.

One must face facts as there is no such thing as dull Speedway racing. Each is exciting and will have you on the edge of your seat yelling and cheering as racers do what seems impossible.

Thanks for listening, See you where the wheels go round.

Howie Zechner, Press Officer, howie@razvideo.com

Scratch Main Event (restarted twice)
1. 7 - Austin Novratil
2. 46 - Aaron Fox
3. 1 - Billy Janniro (fell, excluded)
4. 25 - Jimmy Fishback (fell, excluded)

Scratch Consolation (awarded)
1. 6 - Shawn McConnell
2. 14 - Eddie Castro
3. 214 - Michael Wells
4. 28 - Slater Lightcap (fell)

Second Division Main Event
1. 309 - Jonny Oakden
2. 168 - Mark Fillebrown
3. 159 - Kevin Fiore
4. 178 - Eloy Medellin

Second Division Consolation Event
1. 182 - Rudy Laurer
2. 290 - Harold Hartke
3. 153 - Brad Moreau
4. 106 - Isaiah Canales

Third Division Main Event
1. 138 - Jim Sanders
2. 69e - Alan Bernklau (dnf)
DNS: 113 - Tony Rutledge, 150 - Damon Barry, 395 Nelson Soto

Junior 250 Main Event (restarted)
1. 66 - Charlie Trana
2. 226 - Levi Leutz
3. 48 - Jose Navarrete
4. 04 - Owen Williams

Mini 150 Main Event
1. 22 - Ryder Schultz
2. 175 - Morgan Myers
3. 5 - Brandon Soto (non starter)

Sidecar Main Event
1. 1 - Joe Jones/Tom Summers
2. 07 - Kevin Kale/Tracy Gallagher
3. 357 - Ace Kale/Thomas Yergler
4. 11 - Kevin Holman/Weston Farnsworth