Brad Pappalardo won a tense runoff to win the 2008 Youth National Championship and Ricky Wells was perfect en route to victory in the 2008 North American Under 21 World Qualifier at Fast Fridays Motorcycle Speedway.

Pappalardo, Cody Ciciarelli, and Gino Manzares were tied with 13 points each after all the heats, forcing a three-rider runoff for the title.  Ciciarelli drew gate one, Manzares drew gate three, and Papplardo drew gate four.  The first attempt never got started as Manzares rolled into the tapes and was penalized.  The second attempt got no farther as Ciciarelli touched the tapes too.  The third attempt would begin with Pappalardo at the tapes and his two competitors ten yards behind. 

Pappalardo led from the start with Ciciarelli getting to second ahead of Manzares.  Pappalardo was calm in the lead while Manzares frantically tried to find a way past Cicia relli.  His efforts ended when he ran up the back of Ciciarelli and fell.  Ciciarelli set his sights on the leader but had too much ground to make up.  Pappalardo was perfect for all four laps and was jubilant as he crossed the line as the new National Champion.

Pappalardo’s victory matched the 1985 victory of his uncle, Greg Hancock, making them the first two-generation Youth National victors and he is also the first rider to win the Youth National in his first attempt.  His mechanic was his grandfather, Bill Hancock, who revived the Youth program in Southern California nearly 30 years ago and also established the Youth National Championship as a major American speedway event.

Austin Novratil kicked off the evening with a victory over Desi Fehrman.  Pappalardo led the second race for nearly three laps before Ciciarelli went by on the inside for the lead and the win.  Tanner Kane beat Jamison Dilkey for his first win of the evening.  Manzares ended round one by beating Thomas Reich and Joey Holt.

Round two began the way the previous round ended, a Manzares victory, this time ahead of Tyler Warren.  Holt was leading the next race, but fell and handed the lead and the win to Pappalardo.  Novratil went around Ciciarelli to take his second straight win.  The second round ended with Kane beating Amber Felicio for his second win.

Pappalardo started the third round by cruising to his second straight win.  Tyler Warren led the next race before Reich used the outside to take the lead and his first win.  Novratil was running away with his third victory when he fell in the final corner, handed the victory to River McDougall, and had his title hopes dashed.  Manzares beat Ciciarelli to end round three as the only undefeated rider left.

Round four began with Ciciarelli getting his second win.  Manzares beat Kendra Warren to remain perfect with his fourth consecutive win.  Novratil beat Tyler Warren for his third win.  Pappalardo concluded the fourth round by calmly holding off the persistent Reich for his third straight win.

With one round left Manzares led with 12 points, Pappalardo had 11 points, Ciciarelli had 10 points, Novratil had nine, and Kane and Reich each had eight.  Manzares, Pappalardo, and Novratil would meet in the final round.

The final round began with Reich getting the victory.  Ciciarelli won the next race to guarantee himself at least a third-place finish overall, but he anxiously waited for the next race to see his fate.

Manzares and Pappalardo pulled to the tapes for event 19 with many Championship scenarios in play.  Manzares needed a victory or to finish second ahead of Pappalardo to win the title.  A Pappalardo victory with Manzares in second would result in a runoff between the two for the title, but if Pappalardo won and Manzares was third, the title would go to Pappalardo.  Pulling to the tapes alongside them was Novratil and Kane.

Pappalardo, starting from gate four, led into turn one, but was overtaken by Novratil.  Novratil pulled away for the win while Pappalardo held onto second and force the runoff for the title.  Meanwhile, Manzares was mired in fourth before passing Kane to finish third and make the runoff a three-rider battle.

Joey Holt ended the heats with a victory over Tyler Warren.