Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126610
Costa Mesa - San Bernardino - Ventura - Auburn - Napa - Coata Mesa - San Bernardino - Ventara - Auburn - Napa - Coata M_ - San Be1 SPEEDWAY WEEK Bast, McNeill win Costa Mesa opener By Gary Hoffman Photos by Ken Kellogg and Hoffman COSTA MESA, CA, APR. 2 There was some very hot racing on the very cool first night of a 26-week run of speedway action at the Orange County (Above) Scratch main winner Mike Bast looked great in his 13th consecutive opening night at Costa Mesa. (Below) Second Division winner Moose Kennedy holds the inside line on Pat Cain in their heat race. Fairgrounds. Mike Bast, in his l!lth consecutive opening night, was quick to show he hasn't lost his touch. Passing everyone from the 50-yard line, Michael won his first Handicap heat and placed easily in all the rest. When it came down to Scratch main time, it was "look out Alan," as Bast and Alan Christian were in the same race together. It had all the promise of last month in the Spring Classic, where a battle for the lead ended in a bad crash. Christian had the pole position with Sandona next, Eddie Ingels and Bast on the outside. Christian got out first and grabbed the lead in turn one, with Bast close behind followed by Sandona and Ingels. Suddenly, Christian 's motor shut off, and he was forced to drop out, which pleased Bast immensely as he grabbed the lead and the win. In other events, Third Division gave the crowd the entertainment it always promises. Racing was somewhat reminiscent of the first day you had your training wheels off. But the riders who endured made it to the main event wh ere the y got a chance to prove they should be in Second Division. Mark Granderg flew out quickly from the zero-yard line and, frankly , never gave anyone else a chance. Second place went to Randy Blevins and third to Ken Bencheck. The Second Division main was hot, as a good looking Jim Turner grabbed the early lead followed by Ron Blanton and Shane Hawley. It . was still Turner, Blanton, Hawley through most of the race until Hawleyspun out in tum two,allowing Moose Kennedy to put a move on Turner for the lead . Dennis Bransford took third from Blanton. It's been a couple years since we've seen Danny McNeill after he broke his arm in a bad crash. Dan must have.been practicing because he came out to win. Taking his first Handicap heat easily, he went on to win the second ahead of " on ly" Bast and Woods, qualifying him for the main. At the start of the Handicap main, Jim Lawson shot out first from the 10 with McNeill and Shawn McConnell close behind. Lawson stood his ground another lap until McNeill turned on the turbocharger and squeezed Lawson out of his position, allowing McDonnell and Ingels second and third position. With no one in front of him, Danny held the lead easily for the win followed by McConnell and Eddie Ingels. Next Friday, April 9, some of your favorites such as Bobby Schwartz, Danny Becker and Mike Faria will be out to join the action. • Results MATCH RACE: 1. Mike Curoso ; 2.A1en Christien. THIRD DIY MAIN: 1. Merk Grendllerll; 2. Rendy Blevins; 3 . Ken Bencheck. SECOND DIY MAIN: 1. Moose Kennedy; 2. Jim Turner; 3 . Dennis Bransford. HANDICAP MAIN: 1. Den McNeill; 2. Shewn McConnell; 3. Eddie Ingels. SCRATCH MAIN: 1. Micheel Best; 2. John Sendone; 3 . Eddie Ingels.