Former National Champion Charlie The Edge Venegas claimed his eighth main event victory of the season by winning a wild Scratch Main Event at Industry Speedway.
The first time the tapes went up Buck Blair was first to turn one, but Ricky Wells went down, collected Bobby Schwartz in the process, and the red flag came out. The second time the riders lined up Wells, Blair, and Schwartz all went through the tapes simultaneously. The referee chose to let all three restart but issued a stern warning to all the riders and moving at the tapes. The third time they lined up Schwartz went into the tapes and was excluded.
The next time the riders lined up there was a clean start and it was Venegas leading the foursome into turn one, but Wells and Blair were blazing around the outside looking for a path around the leader. Wells went deep into turn three which pushed Blair too wide to remain a contender. Venegas led at the close of lap one, but Wells lifted coming out of turn four and brushed the wall which killed a lot of his momentum. Wells continuously closed the gap on Venegas throughout the race, but never got close enough to pose a serious threat. Venegas was first to the checkered flag for the fourth straight week, Wells finished second, Shawn McConnell was third, Blair finished fourth, and Schwartz was credited with fifth.
The heats began with Neil Facchini scoring an impressive upset of Venegas. McConnell cruised to victory ahead of Steve Bowen. Wells defeated Blair in the final heat of round one.
Round two started with Jason Ramirez holding off Blair for the win. Venegas fought off the hard-charging Wells for his first win. Schwartz led the last race of the second round the entire way, but McConnell nearly stole the win at the finish line.
The final round opened with McConnell leading for three laps, but Wells was making the outside work and challenged the leader on the final lap. Wells found enough traction exiting the final corner to just beat McConnell to the checkered flag. Facchini led the next heat the entire distance for his second win. Venegas scored a narrow win over Schwartz in the final heat of the evening.
Wells was victorious in the first semi with Blair holding off McConnell for second. Venegas and Schwartz finished one-two in the second semi to transfer to the main. McConnell won the Last Chance to take the final transfer to the main.
Kim Stevens led the Second Division Main Event until J.C. Masters passed her on the inside in turn three to take the lead. Masters led the rest of the way to take the win. Stevens finished second and Tim McGrath was third.
76 year old Hugh Randolph led the Third Division Main Event through the first corner, but Bruce Marteney took over the lead on the back straight. It was smooth sailing from there and Marteney was first to the checkered flag. Chris Thomas was second, Tony DeAlmeida finished third, Bruce Thornton was fourth, Randolh finished fifth, and John Weller was sixth.
Austin Novratil got the best start and led all four laps to win the Youth First Division Main Event. Joey Holt was second and Brad Pappalardo finished third. Gino Manzares didn't start after being injured in a heat race earlier in the evening.
Rocco Scopellite won all three of his heats and the Youth Second Division Main Event. Samuel Ramirez was second and Cameron Dalbey finished third.
Nicholas Hazlup dominated the Pee Wee Second Division Main Event and was victorious. Matthew Duffy finished second, Jaycee Burniske was third, and Gino Scopellite finished fourth.
Nicky Reimer defeated Dalbey to win the Pee Wee First Division Main Event.
Next Wednesday's event will have the sidecars and an off road expo in addition to speedway racing.
