Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

then went wild when announcer L3rry Huffman gave them the news that the Califqrnia Angels had beaten the Boston Red Sox in II innings. Sandona finally got his woes sorted out and won over Cook and Sisemore in event 14 while Faria won event 15 by a wide margin after he almost broke the tapes on the starts. Hicks took second and now had eight points and was looking for a third place finish. Ermolenko made it three consecutive wins when he closed out round four with a win over Oxley and Lucero. Pfetzing came into his final ride of the evening in event 17. He had to win that race and hope that Schwartz would drop a point in event 20. Pfetzing came off the pole and roared into the lead over King and Ermolenko. Ermolenko then ended his rostrum hopes when he hooked up and threw itaway in turn four on lap three. Pfetzing held the lead to the checkered flag and now all he could do was sit and wait. The next two races went quickly with reserve Bobby Ott coming in for Cook after the former British Leaguer broke the tapes. Ott recorded the win much to the delight of the crowd in a race that featured a pounding crash involving Oxley and Chrisco. Faria, looking. like everyone expected him to all night long, handily won from Bast and Sisemore in event 19. The 20th and final scheduled race of the night rolled onto the track. The competitors were Schwartz, Lucero, Sandona and Christian. If Schwartz won, the title was his. Second place would put him in a run-off with Pfetzing. At the same time Lucero, with a win, would have a run-off with Hicks for third. Schwartz got the gate from two and it looked as though the title was his but Lucero rode around him and took the lead at the end of the first circuit. Lucero led the remainder of the way and took the win putting him into the run-off with Hicks. As Lucero and Schwartz went through turn two on their slowdown lap Schwartz gave Lucero some very grimacing stares and then stopped on the track. Schwartz con tinued to stare and Lucero finally had enough. He rode up to Schwartz and pointed a finger in his face and began to holler at him. This went on for about 10 seconds before they returned to the pits. The stage was set for a run-off for the crown but first Hicks and Lucero had to go at it for third. Hicks came from gate two with Lucero out of four and when Lucero lifted off the line Hicks quickly shot into the lead. Lucero rode close behind the youngster, looking for a mistake, but Hicks was perfect and took a surprising third place. It was time to decide the National Champion. Pfetzing was the first onto the track-and as he was waiting for Schwartz, Huffman conducted a quick interview and Pfetzing said, "There was no pressure on me as nobody expected me to do much." Schwartz then made his appearance on the track and he was met with a smattering of boos from the crowd due to his incident with Lucero. Pfetzing won the coin toss and chose the pole with Schwartz out of three. With the way Pfetzing gates it seemed as though the title would be his but Schwartz beat him off the line. Pfetzing stayed close but could never get a good shot at Schwartz. Pfetzing was down but he still managed to give Schwartz a thumbs up as he re..turned to the pits. . The fans were cheering for Schwartz who was handed the checkered flag by starter Jerry King. He began to take his victory lap but as he ap- John Cook and Robert Pfetzing on the inside, Steve Lucero and Mike Faria on the outside in the night's opening race. Pfetzing won over Cook and pre-race favorite Faria. Lucero fell and that cost him a shot at the title. Lucero pokes a finger at Schwartz after he beat the champ-to-be in the final scheduled race. A win would have made Schwartz the champ, but Lucero needed the win to·have a chance at finishing third. proached turn one he was met by a number of pit workers and riders, including Lucero, who were there to congratulate him. Christian was the first to give him a hug but when he looked up he saw Lucero and threw the checkered flag at him. Lucero threw it back and then had to be restrained by several people as he tried to get at Schwartz. The cheers turned to boos as Schwartz stalked back to his pit. Lucero was livid and he sti.ll had to be restrained as he followed Schwartz back. The pits were total chaos as the warring parties were kept apart. Schwanz was beside himself emotionally. Lucero was finally persuaded to sit down in his pi t and cooler heads finally prevailed. At the rostrum Schwanz was upset and he quickly went to announcer Huffman so he could talk to the fans. "I would just like to apologize for my actions tonight. After that race that 1 had with Steve Lucero we exchanged some words and he was screaming through his helmet. 1 thought he was coming out on the track again to scream at me. I'm very sorry. It was my fault but because of all the commotion 1 misunderstood it. Steve is my best friend and 1 love him and I'm just so sorry for what 1 have done and 1 just hope that everyone can forgive me. It was just the heat of the night. I'm sorry." With that the fans witnessing the trophy presentation roared their approval for America's new National Champion - Bobby Schwanz. • Results 1. Bobby Schwartz (14); 2. Raben Pfetzing(14); 3. Gary Hicks (10); 4. Steve Lucero (10); 5. (TIE) Mike Faria/Sam Ermolenko (9); 7. John Sandona (B); B. John cook (7); 9. (TIE) Brad Oxley/Keith Chrisco 16); 11. (TIE) Alan Christian/Ben Bast 15); 13. Lance King (4); 14. (TIE) Jim Sisemore/Ronnie Correy/ Bobby Ott 13); 17. (TIEl Tuff McBride/Mike Mezza· cane (21. 13

• Cover