MOTORCYCLING : Steve Lucero Qualifies for Nationals

Steve Lucero of Riverside threw his weight around the track Saturday night in the U.S. National Qualifying Series.

Lucero, who weighs 212 pounds, won the main event for the second consecutive night, duplicating his victory Friday night at the Orange County Fairgrounds. Lucero beat two-time defending national champion Mike Faria in the final race.

Lucero had been in jeopardy of failing to qualify for the national championship, scheduled Oct. 3 at the Orange County Fairgrounds. He missed the first two qualifying rounds in Auburn and Sacramento because of a broken foot.

But Lucero earned 20 points with his victory Saturday and finished as the seventh qualifier for the 16-rider field. Chris Manchester of Hesperia was the top qualifier in the six-race series, with 102 points, followed by Bobby Schwartz of Costa Mesa (97), Faria (88), Scott Brant of Riverside (76) and Robert Pfetzing of Garden Grove (71).

Former U.S. champion Brad Oxley of San Juan Capistrano finished strong to qualify with 44 points.

“There’s a big difference between weight and strength,” Lucero said. “Look at (former two-time national champion) Kelly Moran. He’s the smallest rider in the world (125 pounds), but he’s also one of the strongest.

“My weight is never a problem on the track. Some called (Friday’s) win at Costa Mesa an upset, but I think I proved tonight it wasn’t an upset.”

Faria was unbeatable Saturday and appears to be a strong favorite to win again. But Lucero predicted it won’t happen.

“If the Lakers can’t pull the three-peat, Mike Faria won’t,” Lucero said. “Mark my words: He won’t win the championship this year.”