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Fast Fridays Speedway
Gold Country Fairgrounds
Auburn, California
Venegas takes Scratch Main - Set for Championship
By Michael Kirby - Story & Photos
Fast Fridays - AUBURN, CALIFORNIA, September 4, 2009
Charlie Venegas came up big again Friday night at the Fast Friday’s Motorcycle Speedway in Auburn. As he predicted in the beginning of the 2009 season, Venegas is in fine form and a force to deal with at the end of the season for the big races. The self assured veteran racer, Venegas made it look easy in the Scratch Main event against some of the best talent at Fast Friday’s. Venegas starting in lane two got the best gate and left Billy Janniro out of lane 3, and Bart Bast coming out of lane 1 to battle neck and neck for second place, and Russell Green from lane 4 just behind them, as he rode a perfect race. Venegas remained composed riding the inside line increasing his lead as Janniro and Bast chased him. "I’ve been dreaming about this for a month, getting beat second, falling off trying, it’s all I need for the rest of the year," said Venegas. “The bike was running strong, it’s my number four engine, but I think it’s the engine for next week’s championship.” Very impressive was seventeen-year-old Russell Green’s presence in the scratch main. The Southern California native has had a successful season at Fast Friday’s as he raced into Friday night’s finale. Janniro finished second just ahead of Bast and Green finished fourth.
Friday night was the last night to pick up points for the 2009 season. Venegas will be racing in the Fast Friday’s Track Championships next week against 16 of the top season point’s leaders. Venegas, last year’s winner, will be looking for his fourth consecutive Fast Friday’s Track Championship title. Going into Friday’s racing Bart Bast led in the points standings with 2171, Billy Janniro had 1966, and Kenny Ingalls had 1304. Venegas trailed next with 1202, but don’t count the veteran out, because he never does.
The Challenge Elimination Series wrapped up with and exciting exhibition as the five finalists of the series lined-up. Ben Essary, Charlie Venegas, Billy Janniro, Greg Hooten, and Kenny Ingalls raced for the $700 purse. The riders raced one lap as the last place rider was dropped until the final two riders rode two very fast laps for the title. Ingalls went down first, Hooten next, Essary third and then Janniro and Venegas put on a great show with Janniro winning by just inches. two close for most to call.
Mark Carrillo was back riding well after losing an engine two weeks ago picking up the handicap main event checkered flag for the second time this season. “My dad is the one who gets the engines really going good for me, and this one was great tonight,” said Carrillo. Carrillo will also be racing for the track championship on September 11. Carrillo held off back yardage riders, Billy Janniro, Alex Marcucci, Kelly Kerrigan, Matt Becker, and Bart Bast in his win.
Racing was fast in Division II and Division III as both divisions have tight points races, as the top eight racers go into the track championships for their divisions. Danny Poli won the Division II main event, Danny Turner was second and Richard Fehrman was third. Division III was won by Casey Cornilsen, second was John Gauthreaux, and Billy Vaughn took third. Cody Ciciarelli, in his seventh trip to the winner’s podium this year, won the Division I Youth Main Event. PJ Bryne was second and Tyler Warren was third.
Results
Division I Scratch: 1-Charlie Venegas, 2. Billy Janniro, 3-Bart Bast 4-Russell Green
Division I Handicap: 1-Mark Carrillo, 2-Matt Becker, 3-Bart Bast
Division II Main: 1-Danny Poli, 2-Danny Turner, 3-Richard Fehrman
Division III Main: 1-Casey Cornilsen, 2-John Gauthreaux, 3-Billy Vaughn
Division I Youth Main: 1-Cody Ciciarelli, 2-PJ Bryne, 3-Tyler Warren
Division II Youth Main: 1-Jamison Dilkey, 2-Ryan Vaughn, 3-Gage Geist
Challenge Championship: 1-Billy Janniro, 2-Charlie Venegas, 3-Ben Essary, 4-Greg Hooten, 5-Kenny Ingalls
Photos By Michael Kirby
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