Ricky Wells warmed up for the California State Championship with a narrow Scratch Main Event victory on Harley Night at Industry Speedway.
Handling the drawing for positions for the Scratch Main Event was none other than seven-time National Champion Mike Bast. The first attempt to run the main ended up in a heap in turn two with Shawn McConnell, Mike Faria, and Bobby Schwartz all coming together and ending up on the ground. After several minutes all three competitors dusted themselves off and restarted.
Faria led into turn one on the restart and was followed by Wells. Wells chased Faria for over three laps, but it appeared that the former National Champion had the victory wrapped up. However, Faria straightened up in the final corner and by the time he righted his machine toward the finish line Wells was charging up the inside. The riders dashed to the finish with Wells overtaking Faria to win by inches. Shaun Harmatiuk finished third, McConnell was fourth, and Schwartz finished fifth.
Charlie Venegas opened the heats with a win. Wells passed Faria on the first lap to get his first win. Schwartz cruised to his first victory. McConnell finished round one by beating Jimmy Fishback.
Russell Green led all four laps to win the first race of round two. Fishback was victorious in the next heat. Harmatiuk won event 21. Jason Ramirez ended the second round with a win over Schwartz and Faria.
Schwartz began the final round with his second win. Faria beat McConnell for his first win. Venegas scored an easy second win ahead of Dale Facchini. Wells was an easy winner in the final heat.
Wells, McConnell, and Venegas engaged in a three-rider battle in the first semi before Venegas had to go too far to find grip and drifted back. Wells and McConnell transferred to the main. Faria easily won the second semi with Harmatiuk following him into the main. Schwartz held off Fishback to win the Last Chance and take the final place in the main.
Marvin Sonnier fought off a persistent Steve Bowen to win the Second Division Main Event. Rudy Laurer stole second from Bowen at the finish line and Bryan Buffington was fourth.
Danny Baker led the Third Division Main Event for three laps under constant attack from Tyson Burmeister. Entering turn one the final time Burmeister went down, but amazingly popped right back up and took off again in one motion. Despite astounding move, Burmeister had too much ground to make up and Baker won his second main of the season.
Austin Novratil led all four laps to win the Youth First Division Main Event for the eleventh time in 2008. Gino Manzares was second, Youth National Champion Brad Pappalardo finished third, and Joey Holt was fourth.
River McDougall held off every challenge that Rocco Scopellite could muster to win the Youth Second Division Main Event. Scopellite settled for second, Nicky Reimer finished third, and Samuel Ramirez was fourth.
Reimer passed Matthew Duffy on the first lap of the Pee Wee Main Event and never looked back en route to victory. Duffy held on for second and Jacob Wondolowski was third.
Stuart Glass and Jack Straw made their first visit to Industry Speedway pay off with a victory in the Sidecar Main Event. Dave Alexander and Matt Davis finished second and Tommy Thornton and Steven Bumpus were third.
Next week is the 33rd running of the California State Championship. Former champions Schwartz and Faria will be there along with defending champion Venegas. Also on the card are Industry Speedway's top two riders in season points, McConnell and Wells. All ticket prices are the same and promoters Jeffrey Immediato and Bruce Penhall announced that the event will pay the largest purse in State Championship history.