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Shawn "Mad Dog" McConnell and Jimmy "Little Animal" Fishback went home with main event victories from Opening Night at Inland Motorcycle Speedway in San Bernardino. Former World Team Cup Champion Josh Larsen started the Scratch Main Event from gate five and led the field into turn one. McConnell tried to charge up the inside on the back straight but Josh Larsen secured his hold on the position as they entered turn three. Josh Larsen had the race under control on the third lap when he suffered an engine failure in turn three. McConnell was the benefactor from Josh Larsen's misfortune, but he had Fishback planted on his back tire. McConnell withstood the pressure throughout the final lap and held on for the victory. Fishback had to settle for second, Michael Raines was third, Austin Novratil finished fourth, and Josh Larsen was credited with fifth. Steve Russell and Raines battled side-by-side for the lead during the first lap of the Handicap Main Event. Russell's inside line proved better and he surged ahead on the second lap. Russell was still leading near the end of the fourth lap when Raines went tumbling down the front stretch and brought out the red flag. The referee ordered a restart with five laps left to complete. Russell led but had Fishback breathing down his neck. Fishback's persistence paid off after two laps when he went underneath Russell for the lead. The drama ended there as the defending Western States Champion rode off into the night with the victory. "Fast" Eddie Castro finished second, Aaron Fox was third, Josh Abbott finished fourth, and Russell was fifth. Drew Coats led the Second Division Main Event for two laps but drifted wide at the end of the second lap and allowed Rich Brock to take over the lead. Brock never looked back from there and was first to the checkered flag. Coats finished second, Geoff Herkner was third, and Mike Wiley finished fourth. Steve "Beach Ball" Brown was the initial leader of the Third Division Main Event. He gave way to Joey St. Louis on the second lap. St. Louis was pressured by Mitch Pierson for a lap and succumbed as they took the white flag. St. Louis didn't give up and went for broke as they entered the final corner. His youthful enthusiasm got the best of him, though, and he took Pierson down. The referee deemed St. Louis the cause of the stoppage and awarded the race to Pierson. Gumball Rally Champion Max Ruml returned to the scene of that victory and went home with another trophy after winning the Youth 250cc Main Event. Nicholas Varner finished second and Dillon Ruml was third. Sebastian Palmese led the Youth 200cc Main Event for three laps but fell in turn two on the final lap. Dillon Ruml, who had masterfully raced on the outside the entire race, found himself in front and led the final lap for the victory. Maverick Molloy finished second, Broc Nicol was third, Nicholas Varner finished fourth, Dalton Leedy was fifth, Chase Sanborn finished sixth, and Palmese was credited with seventh. Dakota Shockley led from start to finish en route to victory in the Pee Wee Main Event. Sara Cords was second, Luke Whitcomb finished third, and Charlie Larsen was fourth. The event marked the beginning of the third season of speedway racing at IMS. It marked the use of permanent lighting for the first time at the facility. The evening also featured the return of Bruce Flanders to the microphone. Many fans were happy to have the man who is traditionally linked to speedway at the Orange Show Fairgrounds. The next event at IMS is Quaid Harley Night. It will include a Harley Parade and the ever-popular street-legal Harley Davidson races. RESULTS Sidecar Main Event Pee Wee Main Event Youth 200cc Main Event Youth 250cc Main Event Third Division Consolation Third Division Main Event (awarded) Second Division Consolation Second Division Main Event Handicap Main Event (restarted) First Division Last Chance Scratch Main Event | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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