Venegas ICE master.

In 28 years the ICE World Championship Series has been seen by speedway fans in most of these United States including Alaska as well as most Canadian Provinces. However, until this weekend we had never made it to the worlds most famous and exciting city - Las Vegas, Nevada USA.

A long time goal finally became a reality when the first ever World Championship Open thundered into the brand new beautiful Orleans Arena, the perfect venue for ICE Speedway. The racing was spectacular with all the drama anyone could ask for. It was no wonder when you consider over $27,000 in cash and awards was up for grabs over the weekend, the biggest payoff in speedway history!

Fifty game contestants showed up to try and qualify for the big money finals. Only the 12 best speedway bike riders transferred through Friday nights Qualifying Championship to meet the top four seeded riders based on World Championship Points standings. Not only was the biggest winners check ever up for grabs, the 28th Annual Overall ICE Speedway World Championship Title was on the line.

Charlie Venegas from San Bernadino, CA was a perfect 2 for 2 in his Heat Races earning 20 points and a pole starting spot in the Main. Four riders were tied with 15 points, a win and a second place finish in their Heats. This necessitated a four man runoff race to see who would fill the other two front row Main spots. The contestants in this critical race were Defending World Champion James Mann from Bolton, England; Kenny Pieper from Denver, CO; Shawn McConnell from Brea, CA and Arbuckle, CA's Ted Taylor.

Keith "Elvis" Brewer started the race with Piepper fighting his way to an early lead out of turn 1-2. Going into turn 3 you could throw a blanket over McConnell, Mann and Pieper. You knew it was coming, something had to give! Mann got straightened up in the middle of the other two racers making contact with Pieper's machine. In doing so James launched violently into the turn 4 wall pads. He was left lying on the ice in obvious severe pain.

The medical crew thought it was the prudent thing to transfer Mann to the hospital for further examinations. The drama that unfolding was almost incomprehensible. Not only was James' dream of winning the Las Vegas Open slipping away, the goal of winning his second Overall World Championship was suddenly in jeopardy. An unbelievable turn of events as he seemed a show-in for the Title coming into Vegas.

The run-off race was restarted with Pieper taking the early lead. With James missing the race tempo wasn't quite as high as before. That didn't matter one bit to Kenny as he turned up the wick all the way for the win. McConnell finished second taking the last remaining front row Main Event spot while Taylor went on to the pole of the Last Chance.

In the Last Chance John Grant from Georgetown, CA joined Taylor on the front row. Mann's earned front row position was left vacant as reserves can't be used in a spot that's determined by points won. Cary, NC's Ronny Kemp, Cam Brooks from Florissant, CO and Corona, CA's Charlie Coolie made up row two. This Last Chance was the final opportunity for these riders to transfer on to the biggest money Main Event ever. Taylor took charge early in this pressure cooker with Grant and Coolie in hot pursuit. The battle was for the third and final transfer spot. Kemp made a game charge but Coolie fought him off to the checkered.

The Main Event was staged and ready to go. The big crowd were all on their feet and you could feel the intensity up to the rafters. Big money, TV cameras rolling and Announcer Chris Lee made all aware that Venegas could narrowly steal the 2004 Overall World Championship along with Vegas Open cash if he could win this one. "The King" released the gate and off they flew. "The Edge" was on a mission as the thousands of fans that included his whole family cheered him on. Pieper blasted his way into second with McConnell all over him. On lap two Shawn muscled his way by.

At the three lap half way mark Charlie was and smooth not giving the pressuring McConnell a good shot at him. What must have seemed an eternity to Venegas was only 15 seconds when he saw the last lap flag. McConnell was closing in! Meanwhile Taylor got be Pieper for third! Charlie could feel McConnell breathing down his neck but stayed focused to take the $5,000 checkered flag!!! What a race - what a stoked Charlie Venegas! He had won the Open and in the process his 6th Overall World Championship by a scant 3 points.

Talk about the joy of victory and the agony of defeat! All in attendance couldn't help but have James Mann on their minds as Charlie so deservedly celebrated his very special win. McConnell and Taylor joined Charlie on the podium for big checks, awesome trophies and a champaign drenching.