Costa Mesa’s Schwartz Wins Series With Second in Race

Speedway motorcyclist Sam Ermolenko of Corona won the second round of the Coors’ Spring Classic Friday in front of 6,712 at the Orange County Fair Grounds, but Bob Schwartz of Costa Mesa emerged as the series winner.

Schwartz was tied with Mike Faria of Colton after the first round last week at Long Beach with 20 points. He finished second in the main event at Costa Mesa, but it was good enough to win the overall title with 35 points.

Ermolenko, who will leave Sunday to ride for Wolver Hampton in the British Speedway League, finished with 34 points, followed by Faria with 32.

Schwartz won the most exciting heat race of the night, defeating Faria and Ermolenko in the four-lap. There was a tie for the final spot in the main even between Brad Oxley, Gary Hicks, Robert Pfetzing and Steve Lucero. Hicks won a runoff for the final spot.