Costa Mesa Speedway
Orange County Fairgrounds
Costa Mesa, California
Knobby Night
May 17, 2025 - Costa Mesa by Howie Zechner
Main Event Winner Austin Novratil
Anywhere and Everywhere has its quirks but living in Southern California has challenges that are hard to explain or defend. Gas is the most expensive in the country. Taxes and fees, forget-about-it. Here if it rains it’s a major news story. In the winter if it snows they close the freeway. Indeed it’s a hoot but part of the charm that makes So Cal the place we call home.
Leaving Pasadena for Costa Mesa on May 17 I knew Speedway would be in trouble. The upper 80 degree weather from the week before that produced record crowds at Harley Night 1 was now 62 with a light rain or mist. Dam 62, where’s my winter coat and long johns. Well of course I’m joking cause were not that spoiled, or are we. Fact is when it cold and damp spectators don’t come. Dam wonder how they would act living someplace where weather was a real challenge and snow covered the roads for months at a time. Well no worries the racing would be and was outstanding.
There’s no question that Brad and Jaleen have found the secret sauce that makes Coast Mesa the fun and exciting venue it is. On this night it was Knobby Night. What’s a Knobby Night you ask. Well my friends much like Harley night its motorized mayhem at its best.
The formula is simple. You take powerful motorcycles that have no business on a small 185 yard 1/10 mile dirt racetrack along with 8 or more riders in each of 4 or 5 heat races and let them loose to see who’s still standing at the end of 6 or 8 laps. So who are these madmen and what do they race. We’ll I’d tell you but that always seems to be a secret. I’m told the paperwork never gets to me but my personal belief is that the riders who are racing don’t want it know. What, why? Well that’s a fair question but many in the mix are top notch, heavily paid and well known Supercross, motocross and Baja racers that are under contract by major bike manufacturers and sponsors. Whether those powers would appreciate their 10 thousand dollar machines and best riders to participate in a race where pushing, shoving and lots of show boating is the norm, well that’s an unknown many would rather leave alone.
Don’t get the wrong idea cause its really is not that dangerous. After all on this night we only had three bad crash incidents and the ambulance only had to roll once with a broken leg. Not bad? Actually it’s kind of amazing cause those boys do mix it up and probably the most exciting thing other than watching them is to be in the guy in the race seat.
OK, lets move on to the A side of the program, Speedway. On this night that lineup included Division 1, 2, 3 and juniors from the Pee Wee 50cc to 150cc and 250.
Always a good show riders have to work their way up the ladder before they get to 1st Division. The Pee Wee class is for kids just starting out between 4 and 9 years old (50cc four stroke, 65cc 2-stroke). From there the 8 year old’s move to the 150cc division. Usually if they learn the craft and are not dangerous they can race the 250cc by 14. Once 16 they can move up to the big 500cc machines.
Same hold true for the 16 and up just starting in the sport. First they must survive the trials and tribulations of Division 3. The problem is to move out of D3 you have to win so it’s a battleground where most in the class are rookies so having trust that the other guy (or gal) won’t hurt you is not there. With luck and talent most will move on to Division 2. From there the more seasoned and serious can maneuver, win and transfer to Division 1.
Are there exceptions? Of course. There are some whose talent is obvious and sometimes their time in a lower division is reduced. Also I need to point out we have professional Division 2 and 3 riders that don’t want to move up. They like not having the pressure the top guns exist. They appreciate the fact that they can race older machines instead of stepping up to new bike that can cost thousands of dollars. Plus they don’t need a tile to enjoy the slide.
Lets not forget the Lady Luck factor. There are always some that have the talent, but don’t advance like they want. A good example of this is tonight’s Main Event winner #7 Austin Novratil. Called “The Wild Man” he has won his fair share with titles that include being the 2014 AMA Speedway Long Track National Champion, 2011 AMA Under 21 Speedway National Champion, 2009 - 2010 AMA Youth Speedway National Champion plus 2021 US Open Speedway Champion and 2023 Outlaw East Coast Champion. But last year he was in a slump. Lots of mechanical issues where he didn’t finish or even start a lot of his heat races. Austin and his many fans felt his frustration. Now for 2025 Austin has a new Lifestyle Cycles sponsorship that handles his bike maintenance along with Shawn McConnell and other high hitters helping him.
Want to mention one other that has been getting the short end of the lollipop lately. Called ‘The Cowboy” #226 Levi Leutz is a diamond in the rough that will become a superstar. Since he started racing in April 2014 Leutz has won everything from the 2017 Pee Wee Track Championship at Perris Raceway, 2018 Junior 150cc US Open Speedway Championship in New York, along with the 2018 150cc California State Championship at Industry Racing followed by the 250cc AMA Youth Long Track Championship at Perris Raceway in 2022 and a 2nd at 2023 Fast Fridays in Auburn California for the AMA Speedway Youth 250 National Championship.
So transferring to the big 500cc machines on his birthday should be a piece of cake for the seasoned veteran. Well hang on folks cause Lady Luck and her brother Murphy were not having any part in it. In his first official Southern California Division 1 debut at Industry on 5/8 he only scored 2 points. At the following May 10 Spring Classic rules dictated the 16 year old had to race Division 2 cause he had never raced the big bikes at Costa Mesa. With an expected win in his first heat Levi’s luck took a drastic turn when in his second heat race he had a spectacular crash after losing control of his machine coming out of turn 2. Very violent and spectacular Leutz was fortunate not to be seriously hurt. See the crash video here.
In his next event the following week at Costa Mesa Levi scored only four points with a second in his two heats. Luckily the powers that be saw his struggles and finally moved Levi into Division 1 for the May 17th at Costa Mesa.
Well finally Levi was where he should have been all along but Murphy was not yet through and Levi would score no points at Costa Mesa on May 17th. Unbelievable as it sounds the same circumstances that plagued the Wild Man Austin Novratil last year had now manifested themselves in the Leutz camp and Levi had a motor issue and failed to start on all his heat races.
So what’s the purpose of this story. Well first off you need lady luck on your side. No matter how good you are and believe me both Novratil and Leutz are real good. Both will be the National Speedway Champions although it may take Levi Leutz a little longer cause he’s only 16. Don’t think so, wanna see for yourself. Well your in luck cause next Saturday, May 31 both will be on the race program when Speedway returns to the Thunderdome in the City of Industry.
Indeed the luck factor is a major at every race and this night showed the lady’s power as “Fast” Eddie Castro made the Main Event after a second and two wins in his heat races and then a 2nd in his Semi.
The Main was stellar as #7 Austin Novratil made the gate and held off Costa Mesa Champion, Max Ruml (2nd), Broc Nicol (3rd), and Eddie Castro (4th).
In the lower divisions it was # 227 Luke Whitcomb with the Division 2 gold and #116 Jeff Semmig in Division 3. The youngsters saw Pee Wee winner #15 Hendrix Misiaszek and #15 Hudson Jones on the 150cc and #5 Riley Rearick in the 250cc class.
Knobby Night #1 videos are available on social media or our friends at RAZ Video Production who tape every race.
Speedway will not return to Costa Mesa till June 14th. A reminder and full schedule will be posted as the date comes closer. Naturally all information regarding the track may be found on the Costa Mesa website or Facebook page.
Now Speedway shifts gears and moves to the City of Industry. A wonderful venue I’ve talked and written about on many an occasion it’s a premier racing facility that delivers the goods. On this night it will feature Division 1, 2, 3 plus Handicap racing. Not enough, OK we’ll throw in a vintage car show.
So come and enjoy, when the Thunderdome rocks this Saturday May 31. Your body will thank you cause it’s a thrills and spills night that’s fun for the young and old.
Thanks for Listening, See you where the Wheels go Round. Howie Zechner
Scratch Main
1. Austin Novratil
2. Max Ruml
3. Broc Nicol
4. Eddie Castro
Scratch Semi 1
1. Max Ruml
2. Eddie Castro
3. Jordan Vanderham
4. Mark Fillebrown
Scratch Semi 2
1. Austin Novratil
2. Broc Nicol
3. Wilbur Hancock
4. Harold Hartke
Division 2 Main
1. Luke Whitcomb
2. Jason Wood
3. Eloy Medellin
4. Rudy Laurer
Division 2 Consolation
1. Cameron Dalbey
2. Tommy Kormilo
3. Jacob Wondolowski
4. Avant LeGarde
Division 3 Main
1. Jeff Semmig
2. Erin Ferris
3. Ryan Bacarella
4. Nathan Ilagan
5. Bobby Richards
Mini 150 Juniors Main
1. Hudson Jones
2. Brandon Kemmerly
3. Zander Schroeder
4. Kayd Fiore
5. Karl Hancock
250 Juniors Main
1. Jameson Hutchinson
2. Riley Rearick
3. Wesley Rearick
Pee Wee Main
#5 Hendrix Misiaszek
#214 Tyler Gray
#374 Levi Workman
#210 Canden Leonard
Division One Points
1-Max Ruml 3,2,3-8
7-Austin Novratil 3,3,3-9
14-Eddie Castro 2,3,3-8
11-Bobby Schwartz 0,1,1-2
16-Jordan Vanderham 2,1,1-4
34-Archie Perez 1,0,0-1
35-Gregory Moore 1,0,0-1
68-Mark Fillebrown 1,2,1-4
98-Broc Nicol 3,3,2-8
117-Wilbur Hancock 2,2,2-6
290- Harold Hartke 0,1,2-3
226-Levi Leutz 0,0,NS-0
Division Two Points
101-Jake Scarbrough 0,2-2
111-David Newsham 3,NS-3
123-Catherine Moore 0,1-1
125-Jason Wood 3,3-6
178-Eloy Medellin 4,2-6
187-Josh King 1,0-1
155-Tommy Kormilo 1,4-5
182-Rudy Laurer 4,4-8
224-Mason Storms 2,0-2
227-Luke Whitcomb 4,3-7
246-Brec Barrett 2,2-4
251-Jacob Wondolowski 3,1-4
255-Cameron Dalbey 2.3-5
373-Bob Peet 0,1-1
400-Avant LeGarde 1,4-5
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