Blair Bucks the Edge at Industry Racing

Industry Racing
Industry Hills Expo Center

Story by Ryan Evans
Photos by Jim Thorn/BackItInPhotos.com
CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA, JULY 11, 2012

“Battlin’ Buck” Blair made a daring move to win the main event to conclude an evening full of action at Industry Racing.

Buck Blair (39) leads Charlie Venegas in the Division One main event at Industry Racing.

Charlie “The Edge” Venegas entered the main event undefeated and elected to start from gate one. His choice appeared to pay off when he left the starting line first. Blair, who started in gate four, went to the outside in turns one and two and was alongside the former National Champion on the back straight. The two were wheel to wheel through turns three and four, but Blair found more traction on the outside. Venegas drifted wide in an attempt to block Blair, but the Colorado native squeezed between him and the fence and dropped in front of Venegas entering turn one to secure the lead. Venegas spent three laps trying to retaliate but was unable to force an error. Blair was first to the checkered flag, Venegas had to settle for second, Aaron Fox finished third, and Tyson Burmeister was fourth.

Blair kicked off the heats with a win over Neil Facchini. Northern California’s Tommy Hedden led the next heat before sliding off and bringing out the red flag; Gino Manzares was victorious in the restart. Burmeister defeated Russell Green in the next heat. Venegas beat Fox to end the first round.

Fox started the second round with a win over Robbie Sauer. John Marquez beat Hedden in event 17. Blair won his second straight race ahead of Manzares. Venegas beat Burmeister to finish round two.

Fox began round three by defeating Facchini. Next, Marquez beat Steve Russell for his second win in a row. Then Burmeister defeated Blair for his second win. Venegas remained unbeaten by beating Hedden to end the heats.

Burmeister and Blair finished one-two in the first semi, and both transferred to the main event.

In the second semi, Venegas won his fourth straight race, and Fox followed him into the main.

The Consolation win went to Tommy Hedden (40).

Marquez made the best start in the Consolation race, but Hedden made the outside work and powered around him for the lead. Hedden led the rest of the way for the win. Marquez was second, Manzares finished third, and Facchini was fourth.

Eloy Medellin put together four smooth laps and was victorious in the Second Division main event. Tim McGrath was second, Bruce Marteney finished third, and Danny Baker was fourth.

Eloy Medellin (178) battles Bruce Marteney (on the outside) in the Division Two main event.

Stephen Simrak led all four laps en route to victory in the Third Division main event. Paul Thornton finished second, Chris Wiggins was third, and Dave Trout finished fourth.

Stephen Simrak went wire to wire for the win in the Third Division main event.

Braden Sauer led the Youth 250cc main event before going down on the second lap. Dillon Ruml took over the lead and led the next three laps, but his brother Max Ruml closed ground on him and challenged him on the final lap. Dillon Ruml didn’t succumb to the pressure, though, and led to the finish. Broc Nicol finished third and Braden Sauer was fourth.

“Duelin’ Dillon” Ruml (111) rumbles with his brother “Mad Max” Ruml in the Youth 250cc main event.

Courtney Crone led the Youth 200cc main event for two laps before Sebastian Palmese went by. Palmese tried to stretch his lead, but Braydan Galvin, who’d started from the 70-yard line, was gaining ground fast. Palmese led as they entered the final corner, but Galvin found enough traction to narrowly beat him to the finish line. Crone was third, Gino Scopellite finished fourth, Dylan Smith was fifth, and Tristan Britt finished sixth.

Braydan Galvin (45) came from way back to win the Youth 200cc main event.

Pee Wee rider Luke Whitcomb was being followed around by a film crew that was part of a production crew producing a video presentation. That idea was formulated after Conner Cruise, son of actor Tom Cruise, was in attendance a couple of weeks ago.

Whitcomb put aside the distractions and won the Pee Wee main event. Keelan Venegas finished second, Walker Calvo was third, Nick Dunn finished fourth, Jake Trout was fifth, and Jake Isaac finished sixth.

The Pee Wee main-event victor was Luke Whitcomb (27). Keelan Venegas (4E) was runner-up.

Eleven sidecars were on the program, headlined by three teams that were visiting from Australia. All three teams made the Sidecar main event and were joined by Dylan Beard & David Crews. Mark Griffiths & Lionel Cornwell led from start to finish and collected the victory. Phil Hudson & Eli Wright finished second, Beard & Crews were third, and Shane Hudson & American passenger Nick Hertrick were fourth.

Mark Griffiths & Lionel Cornwell (44) lead fellow Aussies Phil Hudson & Eli Wright (17) in the Sidecar main event.

The next event at Industry Racing is Bruce Flanders Ugly Hawaiian Shirt Night. The evening will honor the motorsports-announcing icon, and any fan wearing an ugly Hawaiian shirt will receive half off an adult admission. The evening will also include the third Last Of The Mohicans Last Man Out Challenge of the season.

Industry Racing at Industry Hills Expo Center
City of Industry, California
Results: July 11, 2012

SIDECAR MAIN: 1. Mark Griffiths/ Lionel Cornwell; 2. Phil Hudson/ Eli Wright; 3. Dylan Beard/ David Crews; 4. Shane Hudson/ Nick Hertrick.

PEE WEE MAIN: 1. Luke Whitcomb; 2. Keelan Venegas; 3. Walker Calvo; 4. Nick Dunn; 5. Jake Trout.

YOUTH 200 MAIN: 1. Braydan Galvin; 2. Sebastian Palmese; 3. Courtney Crone; 4. Gino Scopellite; 5. Dylan Smith.

YOUTH 250 MAIN: 1. Dillon Ruml (Jaw); 2. Max Ruml (JRM); 3. Broc Nicol (JRM); 4. Braden Sauer (Jaw).

DIVISION 3 MAIN: 1. Stephen Simrak (Jaw); 2. Paul Thornton (Jaw); 3. Chris Wiggins (Jaw); 4. Dave Trout (Wes).

DIVISION 2 MAIN: 1. Eloy Medellin (Jaw); 2. Tim McGrath (Jaw); 3. Bruce Marteney (Jaw); 4. Danny Baker (Jaw).

DIVISION 1 CONSOLATION: 1. Tommy Hedden (GM); 2. John Marquez (GM); 3. Gino Manzares (Jaw); 4. Neil Facchini (GM).

DIVISION 1 MAIN: 1. Buck Blair (JRM); 2. Charlie Venegas (GM); 3. Aaron Fox (GM); 4. Tyson Burmeister (GM).