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| Racer Remembrance Night |
| Friday June 15, 2012 |
California on Speedway Racer Remembrance Night at Inland Motorcycle Speedway in San Bernardino.
Former National Champion Charlie “The Edge” Venegas entered the main event unbeaten, had first choice of starting position, and picked gate one. Tim
Gomez was next and he chose gate two. Fishback selected gate four. “Fast” Eddie Castro took gate three which left Bobby “Boogaloo” Schwartz, who made
the main by winning the Last Chance, with gate five. In a brilliant show of sportsmanship, Schwartz spent his time during the rider introductions advising
Fishback on the technique of starting on the blue groove. Fishback was soaking in the former World Best Pairs Champion’s instructions.
Fishback’s listening skills paid off when the tapes went up because he got huge jump on his competitors as they entered turn one. Venegas got a run up the
inside of Fishback on the back straight and tried to force his way into the lead as they entered turn three. Fishback isn’t intimidated by anyone on the race track
and he thwarted Venegas’s attempt. The defending ICE Champion didn’t go away quietly and the next time they entered turn three he tried the same thing. It
would prove to be his last chance to snatch the lead because Fishback steadily pulled away on the final two laps and was first to the checkered flag much to
the delight of his many fans in the Inland Empire. Venegas had to settle for second, Castro was third, Gomez finished fourth, and Schwartz was fifth.
Kip McClain led the Second Division Main Event but Mike Fuson took the lead away from him. Fuson opened up some breathing room on the field and was
never challenged on his way to the win. “Rattlenake” Steve Bowen finished second after starting 30 yards back, Ron Davis finished third, Davey Shaw was
fourth, and Mike Salyer was fifth.
Phill Santolucito led every lap en route to victory in the Third Division Main Event. Steve “Beach Ball” Brown finished second and Rick Howard was third.
Gumball Rally Champion Broc Nicol won every heat and was victorious in the Youth 250cc Main Event as well. Hayley Perrault was second and Dalton Leedy
finished third.
Sebastian Palmese led Youth 200cc Main Event but had Braydan Galvin, who started on the 60 yard line, closing fast. Palmese didn’t fold under the pressure
and kept Galvin at bay for three laps. Galvin went to the outside in turn four but slid off. Palmese cruised the final lap to get the victory. Dylan Smith finished
second in his first youth main event, and Galvin was credited with third.
Revin Easley led the entire way to take home the win in the Pee Wee Main Event. Luke Whitcomb finished second, Talin Easley was third, Nick Dunn finished
fourth, and Josie Shaw was fifth.
Joe Jones and Johnny Glover made the best start and led the Sidecar Main Event through lap one. Dylan Beard and Jimmy Olsen tried to stake their claim for
the lead the second time on the back straight and pushed Jones and Glover through turns three and four. The pressure didn’t faze the leaders and it was their
only chance to be in front. Jones and Glover tightened their grip on the lead and went unchallenged the rest of the way. Beard and Olsen were second, Jeff
Medberry and Josh Bennett finished third, and Kevin Brown and Nick Hertrick were fourth.
The Last of the Mohicans Last Team Out Sidecar Challenge saw Jeff Rowe and Johnny Bach eliminated first with Gerard Jackson and Dave German
eliminated second. That left Jones and Glover against Brown and Hertrick in the final, two-lap challenge. Jones and Olsen led from the start to take the win.
Speedway Racer Remembrance Night honors racers who lost their lives during motorcycle competitions. The program cover included Ernie Roccio, Ken
Berry, Randy Evans, and Nick Varner. It also included a picture of the late popular fan Speedway Billy with the legendary Kelly Moran.
The next event at IMS will be Bobby Schwartz Night. It will honor the man who has spent nearly 40 years racing speedway and has won many championships
both domestically and internationally. He has also had a positive impact on the careers of many racers throughout that time by sharing his experience and
knowledge with many riders as was evidenced before the main event.
RESULTS
Last of the Mohicans Last Team Out Challenge
1 - Joe Jones/Johnny Glover
16 - Kevin Brown/Nick Hertrick
66 - Gerard Jackson/Dave German
1965 - Jeff Rowe/Johnny Bach
Sidecar Main Event
1 - Joe Jones/Johnny Glover
5150 - Dylan Beard/Jimmy Olsen
44 - Jeff Medberry/Josh Bennett
16 - Kevin Brown/Nick Hertrick
Pee Wee Main Event
2 - Revin Easley
27 - Luke Whitcomb
22 - Talin Easley
76 - Nick Dunn
5 - Josie Shaw
Youth 200cc Main Event (restarted)
18 - Sebastian Palmese 10
13 - Dylan Smith 20
45 - Braydan Galvin 60 (fell)
Youth 250cc Main Event
98 - Broc Nicol
0 - Hayley Perrault
222 - Dalton Leedy
Third Division Main Event
200 - Phill Santolucito
211 - Steve Brown
188 - Rick Howard
Second Division Main Event (restarted)
245 - Mike Fuson 10
177 - Steve Bowen 30
163 - Ron Davis 10
145 - Davey Shaw 0 (penalty line)
333 - Mike Salyer 0 (fell)
316 - Kip McClain 0 (fell)
144 - Michael Hernandez 20 (non starter - restart)
First Division Main Event
25 - Jimmy Fishback
43 - Charlie Venegas
14 - Eddie Castro
30 - Tim Gomez
11 - Bobby Schwartz