McConnell ends season with a win

by Tom Simrak
Speedway from turn two
www.geocities.com/MotorCity/6390

Twenty something year veteran Shawn McConnell ended the 1997
regular season in style tonight. McConnell came from the 40 yard
line to capture the Handicap main event. McConnell passed Brian
Pappalardo with just 3 laps left to get the win.
As usuall the win at Costa Mesa came with mixed emotions from the fans. 
In the first attempt, The race was red flagged. On lap 5 with Brian Pappalardo leading,
a pile up in turn two caused the flag.
As many saw it, Pappalardo slowed slightly causing Andy Northrup
to almost park it completly. Northrup was then hit by almost
everyone on the track. The ref deemed Northrup the cause of the
crash and tossed him out. This was not popular with most of the
fans. Earlier in the night Northrup captured what I beleive is
his first ever main event win in scratch racing at Costa Mesa.
Many of the fans were behind the L.A police officer and wanted to
see him pull off a double of his own. Northrup was setting
Pappalardo up for a pass we all new was coming. Even with the
call, Northrup showed he has some stuff for the Nationals
next week. Northrup led wire to wire. 

Check out the Raz Video web site and you can ses video of the
race. Howie is the first to add speedway video to a web site.
Next week is the U.S Nationals. If you only make it out
to one race a year this better be it. It will feature all the 
best riders from Northern Cal as well as Southern Cal.
This year will also be the first time ever that the winner 
will be decided in from a main event. Winner take all.
Also for the first time ever the Defending World Champion as
well as the current WORLD CHAMPION both from the U.S. will be 
racing for the National Championship. 1996 World Champion 
Billy Hamil and 1997 World Champion Greg Hancock will both be 
here. Don't miss it.After the races be sure to order your 
Raz Video of the event.
ok here it is.
 

Handicap semi # 1              Handicap semi #2

1st Castro                      1st Paul Binnquist
2nd Faria                       2nd McConnell 
3rd Bast                        3rd Northrup
4th Pappalardo                  4th Oxley
5th Lucero 
6th Chism




Handicap main event 

1st McConnell
2nd Faria
3rd Bast
4th Oxley
5th Castro
6th Binnquist
7th Pappalardo 
8th Northrup


Scrath Semi #1               Scratch Semi #2

1st Bast                    1st Northrup
2nd Oxley                   2nd McConnell

3rd Venegas                 3rd Lucero
4th Faria                   4th Schwartz


last chance main event 

1st Venegas
2nd Lucero
3rd Schwartz
4th Faria 


Scratch main event
 
1st Northrup 
2nd McConnell
3rd Bast 
4th Oxley 
5th Venegas  (DQed tapes)



Support main

1st Tim Tucker


sidecar main

Bob Brayton and Parke Weaver

CONGRATS TO THE NEW WORLD CHAMPION
GREG HANCOCK