Costa Mesa Speedway
Orange County Fairgrounds - Costa Mesa, CA

2000 Spring Classic
Costa Mesa Speedway
April 8, 2000
From Ryan Evans

Gary Hicks overcame a rough track to take the victory in the Scratch Main Event as Costa Mesa kicked off what could be its final season in front of a large crowd with the annual Coors Light Spring Classic. Hicks and Bobby Schwartz gated together and were side by side as they entered turn three. Hicks stuck to the low line leaving Schwartz out wide to battle the massive ruts in the track. Hicks sped away with an easy victory. Charlie Venegas and Northern California rider Chad Felicio managed to get by Schwartz for second and third respectively. Schwartz ended up fourth and Shawn McConnell finished fifth.

Charlie Cooley took an easy victory in the Handicap Main as he led all eight laps and was never seriously challenged. Ryan Fisher had a circuitous journey to end up second. Fisher was in second after the first lap, then was passed by several riders. After several laps in fifth place, he worked his way back up to second as he took the white flag, but he didn't have enough time to catch Cooley who looked very smooth considering the condition of the track. Randy DiFrancesco finished third ahead of Felicio and Charlie Venegas. Veteran rider Danny Perkins, who returned to speedway last year after a long layoff, was the victor in the Support Main Event. Perkins, starting from the 20 yard line, worked his way past Mike Lupo and ran away from the field. Lupo, who didn't race in 1999, held on to second place and Billy Lyons finished third.

Howard Larson won the Support B Main Event in his speedway debut. Fellow newcomer Rod Lenz finished second and veteran Mike Boyle finished third. There were several riders who made the trip from Northern California, but the most unique visitor was Bevan Compton from South Africa. Compton, who has been in the United States competing in ICE series couldn't pass up the opportunity to race at the world famous venue. However, Compton had a hard time adjusting to the small track and didn't transfer out of either heat. The track was rough all evening with several holes developing in turns three and four. The holes forced most riders to two-wheel into the corner to avoid crashing. The circumstances made for some very interesting and unpredictable racing throughout the evening and left many riders picking themselves of the ground and even more shaking their heads. Fortunately, there were no injuries.

RESULTS

Support B Consi
141 - Tom Collier      20
147 - Winston Williams 20
103 - Brent Smith      20
269 - Ed Martinez      20
132 - David Moore      10
317 - Craig Mumma      10 (non-starter)

Support B Main
168 - Howard Larsen   10
196 - Rod Lenz        10
198 - Mike Boyle      20
202n  Harry Bradwell  20
211 - Doug Lupo       20
249 - John Stunkard   10

Support Consi
338 - Dave Delbridge  20
219 - John O'Neill    30
120 - Bill McCarley   30
91n - Bill Hermant    30
131 - David Lynch     30
226 - Sean Larned     30

Support Main
189 - Danny Perkins   20
162 - Mike Lupo       10
321 - Billy Lyons     20
417n  Scott Olney     20
197 - Greg Starcevic  20 (penalty line)
182 - Rudy Laurer     30 (penalty line) (fell)

Handicap Main
 16 - Charlie Cooley    30
 6n - Ryan Fisher       40
 12 - Randy DiFrancesco 40
54n - Chad Felicio      40
 43 - Charlie Venegas   60
 11 - Bobby Schwartz    60
173 - Brian Thompson    10
  6 - Shawn McConnell   60 (penalty line)

Scratch Main
  3 - Gary Hicks
 43 - Charlie Venegas
54n - Chad Felicio
 11 - Bobby Schwartz
  6 - Shawn McConnell (fell, remounted