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IN THE WIND P54 Ruml Wins California Speedway Championship T he 44th Annual California Speedway Championships was held at Industry Hills Expo Center, better known as Speed- way at The Grand, in The City Of Industry, California, August 25. Kelly Inman and crew went all out to make this event the best of the season by getting local news media out before the race, which in turn brought out more spectators than usual. This was one of the largest crowds of the season. Many thought it was going to be a Billy Janniro run away; after all, Janniro is a nine- time National and five-time California State Champion. Austin Novratil, however, didn't think that way, nor did Max Ruml. Novratil was perfect on the night with wins in all five of his heat races and had a max score of 15 going into the championship final. Max Ruml was tied with Janniro on points with 13 going into the final. Before the final, Ruml said the track tonight is hard to pass, so whoever gets the start in the final should become the champion. In the championship final, Ruml lined up on the pole, with Gino Manzares, whose side job is being an MMA fighter, lined up in the second spot. Janniro was in the third posi- tion and Novratil in the fourth spot next to the wall. As the tapes went up, Ruml shot off the start line and into turn one with the holeshot. Novratil went high to see if he could go around the others, but no such luck. Janniro and Manzares where right on Ruml's rear wheel. By lap two, Ruml was pulling away ever so slightly over Janniro with Novratil and Manzares bringing up the rear. By lap three, Ruml was still running the pole line, as Janniro moved to the high line to see if he could get a drive and get past Ruml. No good, Ruml was just on the gas tonight. Manzares got a good drive out of turn two and almost ran into Novratil. He had to get off the gas not to hit him, but doing so, he lost his drive for the pass into the third spot. By lap four, it was all Ruml, as he pulled away slightly from Janniro, with Novratil and Manzares following Ruml across the finish line This was Ruml's second California State Champion- ship. His first title came in 2016. Nick Hohlbein won the 150 class. He was top points of eight after his three heats, followed by Owen Williams and Levi Leutz, last year's 150 champion. Colton Nelson was fourth on the night. In the 250 Junior Champi- onship final, Wilbur Hancock (Greg Hancock's son) was fast all night, winning all three of his heat races and then grabbing the start and lead- ing the first lap. Alex Martin and Landon Norton were in tow. On lap two, Hancock slipped and let Marin by to take the win, with Hancock finishing in the second spot in the final. Slater too third Marin fourth. CN Championship 1. Max Ruml (16) 2. Billy Janniro (15) 3. Austin Novratil (16) 4. Gino Manzares (10) 5. Blake Borello (10) Max Ruml held off Billy Janniro and Austin Novratil to win the California State Speedway Championship. PHOTO: MITCH FRIEDMAN