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Larsen had not been second round got under way. Mattison's Radiator was the sponsor of the first heat and the pole went to Hedden. Faria was in two with Castro and Carrillo in three and four. Faria showed the field why he has worn the National crown three times before. It was a sweet ride to the checkered. Hedden had no trouble holding on to second. Carrillo and Castro swapped back and forth, but it was Castro who came away with the point. Larsen lined up on the pole in the A&D Clean-Up Masters heat. Nay was in two with Manchester and Bast in three and four. It was Larsen with another flawless ride with Bast and Manchester following him home. Manchester had to get something going quick as he desperately needed to put some points on the board. Oxley drew the pole in the Warren and Evie Russell-sponsored heat. Estes was in two, with DiFrancesco and Lazor in three and four. Oxley off the pole is deadly, and he proved it by going wire to wire, leaving no room for anyone to get by. DiFrancesco was good for second, with Estes and Lazor third and fourth. The Kreps Family came up with the bonus for the fourth heat. Brant was on the pole with McConnell in two and Ermolenko and Fisher on the outside. Brant got the gate, but it was Fisher who got the lead as they battled through the first turn. Once he had the lead it was clear sailing for the young man from Norco. Brant was good for the second with McConnell and Ermolenko third and fourth. The final heat of the second round was sponsored by PowerCell Communications. Cook was on the pole in his spaceage silver leathers, and he was the man. He read the gate and took the lead from the get go. His very unusual riding style kept the rest of the field at bay and the spectators cheering. Schwartz was second with Adams and Bonsignore third and fourth. defeated all evening leading up to the National Final. His disappointing ",nner-up finish marked the fourth time In his career that he has been the bridesmaid at the National. With two rounds down, two riders were undefeated: Faria and Larsen. The points had come into playas the riders scrambled to transfer to the semis. It was Faria, Brant, Bast, Larsen and Manchester who took the final round of heats. Larsen had yet to be defeated. the first semi. On the pole was Bast, with Brant in two and Hedden in three. On the outside it was McConnell and Manchester. Manchester, who squeaked into the Semi with seven points, was coming on strong late, as he took the lead out of the gate and held the rest of the field at bay. Bast locked into second, with Hedden getting around McConnell for third. Brant got by one lap later, and it would be Manchester and Bast in the National Final and Hedden and Brant on their way to the Last Chance Qualifier. Denim Doctor picked up the bonus for the second semi. Larsen was on the pole, with Faria in two and Fisher in three. Cook and Schwartz were in three and four. As he had done all night, it was Larsen out on top and never challenged. He was on his way to the National Final, with Faria. Fisher and Schwartz were the final two in the Last Chance Qualifier. It was Brant that took all the marbles in the Last Chance Qualifier. He has only raced the last two months of the season, but he has been impressive, and he proved he not only belonged in the U.S. National field but also in the Final. He would be the last rider to make it to the grand finale. SEMIS NATIONAL FINAL The Kreps Family, for the fifth time of the night, put up the extra dough in decide tt)e title. He was the only rider who had won every race, and he would get first choice of gate for the "sudden death" race. Bast was in two, with Faria in three. Brant had the last draw, and since Manchester picked gate five, he would be in four. The light went green, and the gate came up. It was Larsen on top, but when they got to the first turn, both Larsen and Faria suddenly parked it. That was all Manchester needed to slide by on the outside, and once in the lead, the race was all his. Larsen gave a good chase but just couldn't catch Manchester. The win went to Manchester, with Larsen, for the fourth time in his career, coming home second. Faria would finished third, with Brant and Bast rounding out the field. Larsen stated on the podium that he was done, and we can only hope that such a good representative of the sport will reconsider. Manchester and Faria are related by marriage, so this was truly a family affair for them. The Mission Yamaha PW50s had their own National, and the winner was Dustin Phares. Ricky Valdez, Eddie Conner and Hayden Stevens followed him home. Mark Adams got the answer to his question when announcer Terry Clanton announced over the p.a. that Adams' fiancee, Rachael had said yes. eN The money was on Larsen as they rolled out for the race that would ROUND 3 The most exciting race of the night Jed off and it was NJK Leathers that was the sponsor. It was Faria on the pole, with Manchester In two and Oxley and Brant in three and four. The gate went to Brant, but Faria and Manchester challenged him as they all hit turn one. Brant literally threaded the needle and found his way through to take the lead and the win. Manchester was second, with Faria third. Oxley would round out the field. Estes would pick up the dough in the Lankershim Lock and Key-spon-' sored second heat. Bast would take the dough in the Mark Wallace Masonry heat three. Cook picked up his second win of the night in A&D Clean Up Masters heat four, and the final round went to Larsen as the Kreps family stepped up again. Larsen was the only rider to stay perfect. ROUND 4 cue' • Orange County Feirgrounds Costa Mesa. Califemll Resubs: Oetober 13.2001 NATIONAL FINAL: 1. Chris Manchester (Jaw); 2. Josh Larsen (Jaw); 3. Mike Faria (Jaw); 4. Scott Brant (GM): 5. Ba" Bast (Jaw). O/A: 1. Chris Mlmchester (Jaw); 2. Josh Larsen (Jaw); 3. Mike Faria (Jaw); 4. Scott Brant (GM); 5. Ba" Bast (Jaw).6. Bobby Schwartz (Jaw); 7. Bobby Redden (Jaw); 8. Ryan Fisher (Jaw); 9. (TIE) John Cook (Jaw)/Shawn McConnell (GM); 11. Jim Estes (GM); 12. (TIE) Brad Oxley (GM)/Dukie Ermolenko (Jaw)/Eric Carrillo (Jaw)/Mark Adams (Jaw); 17. (TIE) Eddie Castro (Jaw)/Kit Nay (Jaw); 19. (TIE) George Lazor (Jaw)/Gene Bonsignore (JiSW). MISSION YAMAHA PW 50; 1. Dustin Phares; 2. Ricky Valdez; 3. Eddie Conner; 4. Hllyden Stevens. Left to right: Larsen, Manchester and third-placed Mike Faria reap the spoils of the National podium. Faria and Manchester are related by marriage and have rIVe U.S. National titles between them. n ... __ S • OCTOBER 31, 2001 41