Since its first event on June 13, 1969 racers young and old at Costa Mesa Speedway have entertained legions of fans of all ages.  It is only fitting that on the night that the world famous track celebrated its 40^th anniversary, 52 year old living legend Bobby “Boogaloo” Schwartz won the Scratch Main Event and 16 year old Brad Pappalardo won the Handicap Main Event in his debut in First Division.

            Schwartz, starting from gate four, made the best start in the five-rider Scratch Main Event and led the field into turn one.  Buck Blair, who started in gate one, tucked in behind Schwartz as they went down the back straight.  Blair had his sights set on the lead, but had to contend with Shawn “Mad Dog” McConnell trying to take his position.  The former National Champion benefitted from Blair being dogged by McConnell and stretched his lead.  Blair kept McConnell at bay, but was unable to catch the leader.  Schwartz crossed the line first, Blair was second, McConnell finished third, “Flyin” Mike Faria was fourth, and Gary Hicks finished fifth.

            The eight-rider Handicap Main Event began with three of Southern California’s young lions starting in front.  Pappalardo, John Marquez, and Russell Green all took their place on the 10 yard line thinking that the start would be crucial to victory.  Marquez led his peers to the first corner with Green in tow.  Both riders went wide exiting turn two and Pappalardo, who shrewdly turned back behind his contemporaries and charged into the lead on the back straight.  Green attacked the Youth National Champion on the outside, but couldn’t find enough traction to get alongside Pappalardo.  The action in the middle of the field was frantic for several laps, but Pappalardo, who celebrated his 16^th birthday on Thursday, showed calm beyond his years and maintained his steady inside line.  Jason Ramirez emerged from the mid-pack chaos to get into second but the leader was long gone.  Pappalardo was f irst to the checkered flag, Ramirez finished second, Green was third, Randy DiFrancesco finished fourth, Eddie Castro was fifth, and Mike “Spiderman” Bloom finished sixth.