Venegas Secures Second Victory at IMS

Fan Appreciation Night
Inland Motorcycle Speedway

Story by Ryan Evans
Photos by Jim Thorn/BackItInPhotos.com
SAN BERNARDINO, CA, JUNE 1, 2012

Hometown rider Charlie “The Edge” Venegas took the main-event victory for the second time this season on Fan Appreciation Night at Inland Motorcycle Speedway in San Bernardino, California.

Charlie Venegas leads Jimmy Fishback (left), Shawn McConnell (behind Fishback, on the outside) and Tyson Burmeister (26, rear) in the Division One main event on Fan Appreciation Night at Inland Motorcycle Speedway.

Venegas started in gate one in the main event, made the best start, and led the field into turn one. Jimmy “Li’l Animal” Fishback, who started in gate four, led the competitors chasing after the leader. Venegas used the thin outside line to maintain his lead, while Fishback followed suit to try to make up ground. The former National Champion kept a comfortable lead and was never threatened en route to victory. Fishback finished second, Tyson Burmeister was third, Aaron Fox finished fourth, and Shawn “Mad Dog” McConnell was fifth.

Venegas opened the heats with a win over Neil Facchini. Fishback beat McConnell in the second heat. Burmeister ended the first round by beating Steve Russell.

Venegas started the second round of heat races by defeating Fishback. Burmeister led the next heat before “Fast Eddie” Castro, with a 22-inch rear tire mounted on his bike, blasted through for the lead and the win. McConnell, who also mounted a 22-inch rear tire, beat Tyson Talkington to finish out round two.

The final round began with Russell being awarded the victory when Talkington brought out the red flag after he went over backward in turn two and halted the race. In the next heat, Fishback beat Fox for his second win. Burmeister and Venegas had a fantastic battle in the final heat race, with Burmeister holding off the ICE Champion to remain perfect on the evening.

Venegas won the first semi, with McConnell following him into the main.

Burmeister and Fishback finished one-two in the second semi and transferred to the main.

Aaron Fox (46) leads Tyson Talkington (on the outside) in the last-chance qualifier.

Fox won the last-chance qualifier to book the final spot in the main-event field.

Tim McGrath led the Second Division main event for two laps before Chris Jones went to the front at the start of lap three. Jones’ lead was short-lived, however, because J.D. Myerscough, who has been impressive in his short time in speedway, went around him for the lead in the next corner. Myerscough quickly pulled away and went on to take the win. Mike Fuson finished second, McGrath was third, Jones finished fourth, Ron Davis was fifth, and Kip McClain was sixth.

J.D. Myerscough (155) continues to impress. Here, he’s on his way to the Division Two main-event victory at IMS.

Phill Santolucito was the initial leader in the Third Division main event, but he fell and handed the lead to Davey Shaw. Shaw, who was celebrating his birthday, gave himself a present by leading the rest of the way for the victory. Steve “Beach Ball” Brown finished second, Jake Hansen was third, Tom Bryant finished fourth, and Santolucito was fifth.

Birthday Boy Davey Shaw (145) got a “gift” and traded it in for the Division Three main-event win.

Adam Herkner led the Youth 200cc main event before Braydan Galvin, who started on the 60-yard line, went past him for the lead at the end of the second lap. Galvin cruised the rest of the way for the win. Sebastian Palmese finished second, Herkner was third, and Dryden LeoGrande finished fourth.

Braydan Galvin (45) came from behind to take the Youth 200cc main-event victory.

Sara Cords continued her domination of the Pee Wee division with another main-event win. Nick Dunn finished second, Jonas LeoGrande was third, Julia Pierson finished fourth, and Sean Tannerberg was fifth.

Sara Cords (14) once again took the checkers in the Pee Wee main.

Dylan Beard & Jimmy Olsen led the Sidecar main event through turns one and two, but Joe Jones & Johnny Glover built up their momentum and roared around the outside as they entered turn three. Beard & Olsen tried to retake the lead on the front straight, but Jones & Glover cut to the inside as they entered turn one for the second time. Jones & Glover were mistake-free the rest of the way and went home victorious. Beard & Olsen finished second, Dual Anderson & Josh Bennett were third, and Jeff Rowe & Johnny Bach finished fourth.

Joe Jones & Johnny Glover (1) duel with Dylan Beard & Jimmy Olsen (5150) in the Sidecar main event.

The next event at IMS will be Benny Mears Appreciation Night. Mears is a staff member who puts in countless hours at the track not only on the day of the race, but throughout the week and the winter as well.

Inland Motorcycle Speedway
San Bernardino, California
Results: June 1, 2012

SIDECAR MAIN: 1. Joe Jones/ Johnny Glover; 2. Dylan Beard/ Jimmy Olsen; 3. Dual Anderson/ Josh Bennett; 4. Jeff Rowe/ Johnny Bach.

PEE WEE MAIN: 1. Sara Cords (Hon); 2. Nick Dunn (Yam); 3. Jonas LeoGrande (Suz); 4. Julia Pierson (Suz); 5. Sean Tannerberg (Suz).

YOUTH 200 MAIN: 1. Braydan Galvin; 2. Sebastian Palmese; 3. Adam Herkner; 4. Dryden LeoGrande.

DIVISION 3 MAIN: 1. Davey Shaw (Jaw); 2. Steve Brown (Jaw); 3. Josh Hansen (Jaw); 4. Tom Bryant (Jaw); 5. Phill Santolucito (Jaw).

DIVISION 2 MAIN: 1. J.D. Myerscough (Jaw); 2. Mike Fuson (Jaw); 3. Tim McGrath (JRM); 4. Chris Jones (Jaw); 5. Ron Davis (Jaw).

DIVISION 1 LCQ: 1. Aaron Fox (GM); 2. Steve Russell (Jaw); 3. Eddie Castro (GM); 4. Tyson Talkington (GM).

DIVISION 1 MAIN: 1. Charlie Venegas (JRM); 2. Jimmy Fishback (Jaw); 3. Tyson Burmeister (GM); 4. Aaron Fox (GM); 5. Shawn McConnell (GM).