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/1546195
C harlie "The Edge" Venegas put in a stellar ride to win the opening round of the A M A U S A S p e e d w a y National Championship Series at Costa Mesa on Saturday night. For the first time in more than a decade, an AMA event was held at Costa Mesa Speedway, and a new organization, USA Speedway, has become the glue that has brought Costa Mesa Speedway and the AMA back together. USA Speedway Inc. was created to provide a national organiza- tion for speedway racers and enthusiasts. It is recognized by the FIM and the AMA. The best of the best were on hand, including Greg Hancock, currently second in the World standings, and former World Champion Billy Hamill. When the night was over, those two would both be back on a plane, bound for a Monday night race in Europe. Also in attendance were National Champions Mike Faria, Bobby Schwartz, Charlie Venegas and Bart Bast, the latter of whom was riding injured, with a crushed ankle and a not-ready-for-action shoulder. The format was five rounds of Scratch racing, with points being awarded 4-3-2- 1-0. The top four in points would meet in the A final. The first round had everyone feeling out the track, but it was also the round that would see the cream rise to the top. Venegas got off to an outstanding start with a great gate and a wire-to-wire ride. Schwartz, who would turn 50 in just a few days, showed the crowd he would still be in the hunt as he took the youngsters to school in the second heat. Hamill showed everyone that the small track would not be a challenge to him as he led the third heat from start to finish. Hancock showed the fans his incredible gating ability as he easily won the fourth heat. In round two, Hamill started things off with another amazing ride and was now two for two. Hancock was not to be out- done, as he continued his winning ways and was clean on the night. Schwartz was hanging tough and showed why he is king of the Bullring; he, too, was batting a thou- sand. The fourth heat saw Josh Larsen, who hasn't been around all season, get back to his winning ways with a new spon- sor and a very fast bike. Three riders were perfect on the night, and Venegas was one point back. Three more rounds remained. In round three, it was Larsen and Venegas taking heats one and two. The showdown came in heat three, between Hancock and Hamill: Hancock got the gate, but Hamill took it to him and they took it down to the checkers, with Hancock getting the nod and Hamill's perfect night ended. Faria finally got on track as he put together a good ride to get the winning points. In round four, Hancock led things with his usual up-front finish. Schwartz was back up front after disaster struck in the third round and he got no points. Venegas was back on top. And Eddie Castro, fresh off his win at Industry, put together a flaw- less ride and got his first win of the night. Rounding out the round was Hamill, put- ting himself within one point of Hancock, along with Venegas. Round five was do-or-die time. Bryan Yarrow finally caught the brass ring, as he led things off with a win. Schwartz fol- lowed with a solid ride, topping Hamill and getting some valuable points on the board. Faria had things under control as he again put in a winning ride. Hancock garnered another win, which ensured him not only a main-event ride but first choice of gate. It was now time for the main events. After a very up-and- down night, Gary Hicks finally got everything work- ing his way, as he easily won the D final. Buck Blair, who had also had his share of trou- bles, gave Hicks a run for his money, pick, but he surprised everyone by opting for gate two instead of the pole. Hamill, who was second in points, chose the pole. Venegas loaded into three, and Faria was on the outside in four. They loaded in, the light went green and the tapes came up. Hancock and Hamill were locked in a drag race to the first turn, and they contin- ued to lean on one another as they made the corner. Coming out of two, Hancock tried to go around on the outside, but unfortunately there was no room, as Hamill was right up against the wall. Hancock hit the wall and was disconnect- ed from his bike. The red flag came out. The referee had to make a hard call: Since Hancock was the only rider down, he was deemed to be the cause of the red flag and was excluded from the race. Needless to say, this was not what the fans wanted to see, but the decision was by the book. They lined up again without Hancock, and this time the gate went to Venegas, and he never looked back. Faria went after him, but four laps is not very much time to catch someone as good as Venegas, even if your name is Faria. He would have to settle for second. Hamill came home third. CN COSTA MESA SPEEDWAY COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA RESULTS: AUGUST 5, 2006 (ROUND 1) A FINAL: 1. Charlie Venegas (Jaw); 2. Mike Faria (Jaw); 3. Billy Hamill (Jaw); 4. Greg Hancock (Jaw). B FINAL: 1. Bobby Schwartz (Jaw); 2. Eddie Castro (Jaw); 3. Josh Larsen (Jaw); 4. Nate Perkins (Jaw). C FINAL: 1. Shawn McConnell (GM); 2. Bobby Hedden (Jaw); 3. Bryan Yarrow (Jaw); 4. Bart Bast (Jaw). D FINAL: 1. Gary Hicks (Jaw); 2. Buck Blair (Jaw); 3. Wieslow Oskiewicz (Jaw); 4. Shaun Harmatiuk (Jaw). Costa Mesa Speedway Costa Mesa, CA Round 1 August 5, 2006 AUGUST 23, 2006 • C Y C L E N E W S 54 AMA USA Speedway National Championship Series but Blair would have to settle for second. On back, it was Wieslow Oskiewicz and Shaun Harmatiuk. Shawn McConnell, who was right on track until the last two rounds, got some bragging rights back as he came from the pole, locked on to the inside line, and held off Bobby Hedden to take the honors in the C final. Yarrow and Bast were third and fourth, respectively. Schwartz missed the A main by one point, but he showed the fans that he's a winner by going wire to wire to top Castro, Larsen and Nate Perkins to win the B final. They pushed to the line for the most important race of the night, and by order of points they chose their gates. Hancock, by virtue of his perfect score, had first Charlie Venegas leads Gary Hicks en route to the first overall win of the AMA USA Speedway National Championship Series. Hicks won the D final. BY ELAINE JONES PHOTOS BY CNC RACING PHOTOGRAPHY Bobby Schwartz (left) battles with Hamill. Schwartz topped the B final. AMA defending and six-time National Champion Greg Hancock hit the wall and brought out the red flag in the A final. He was excluded from the restart. Venegas (center) celebrates with Mike Faria (left) and Billy Hamill (right) on the Costa Mesa podium.