Schwartz Captures Speedway Main Event

COSTA MESA — Speedway motorcyclist Bobby Schwartz, starting from the pole position, went wire-to-wire in the main event to win the Fall Classic Friday night in front of 2,976 fans at the Orange County Fairgrounds.

Schwartz, 35, won 36 main events on the Southern California circuit in 1991 and showed he hasn’t slowed down, defeating British Speedway League star Billy Hamill in the four-lap race. Josh Larsen of Costa Mesa was third, and Chris Manchester of Hesperia was fourth.

Greg Hancock of Costa Mesa won the consolation main event. Ronnie Correy of Fullerton was disqualified in the consolation race when he broke the starting tape.

The three-race series resumes tonight at Glen Helen Regional Park in Devore. Hamill leads the series after winning at Ventura and finishing second at Costa Mesa going into tonight’s final round.