Australian Speedway
American Speedway: 'Mad Dog' bags double main - again.
By Admin
Jul 2, 2008, 23:13

Shawn Mad Dog McConnell collected a double main event victory for the second consecutive week in a remarkable performance at the world famous Costa Mesa Speedway.

The Scratch Main began with Buck Blair getting a slightly better start than Jason Ramirez.  Blair's lead wasn't enough to come across to the inside and Ramirez pushed the Colorado native wide in the first bend.  McConnell used a savvy veteran move and cutback under his younger combatants and seized the lead on the back straight.  Blair surged ahead of Ramirez for second, but McConnell had already established a comfortable lead.  McConnell was never threatened and led all the way to the checkered flag.  Blair was second, Ramirez finished third, Bobby Schwartz was fourth, and Justin Boyle finished fifth.

Brad Sauer led the eight-rider Handicap Main Event field into turn one with Justin Boyle not far behind.  McConnell, just as he had done the week before, picked his way through the field quickly.  McConnell passed Boyle for second on the third lap and set his sights on Sauer.  McConnell passed Sauer for the win the previous week, but Sauer still held the lead entering the final lap.  McConnell tailed the leader down the back straight, but it didn't look as if Sauer would flinch.  Sauer left the narrowest of openings coming out of the final corner and McConnell charged up the inside to steal the victory in the final 20 yards.  Boyle finished third, Blair was fourth, and Mike Bloom finished fifth.

Bryan Buffington got the best start and led the entire distance for his third consecutive Support Main Event victory.  Rick Farron was second, Steve Dziadus finished third, and Billy Braden was fourth.

Mike Boyle took the early lead in the Support B Main Event, but was under immediate pressure from Jonni Jade.  Jade was steadfast with his pressure and his persistence paid off on the third lap when he passed Boyle on the inside for the lead.  The English native led the rest of the way for the win.  Ralph Chudy was second, Dan Wensloff finished third, Toni Hicks was fourth, Jim Lavender finished fifth, and Boyle suffered bike problems that relegated him to sixth.

Joey Holt was awarded the victory in the Youth First Division Main Event after the red flag came out.  Rocco Scopellite was second and Chad Hoyt was credited with third.

River McDougall was smooth and fast from start to finish en route to the Youth Second Division Main Event victory.  Major Davis finished second and Samuel Ramirez was third.

The 250cc junior bikes returned to Costa Mesa for the first time in well over a decade with a special exhibition.  Brad Pappalardo, Joey Holt, and Gino Manzares took to the track three times throughout the evening.  The trio provided an excellent showcase for the fans, as well as the promoters, and they're hoping for more opportunities to display their talent at Costa Mesa in the future.

There will not be any speedway meetings at Costa Mesa until the annual Fair Derby on Friday, July 18.  Ricky Wells became the youngest rider to ever claim the prestigious bronze-hat trophy and he has no plans on relinquishing his title without a fierce battle.