Becker, Nicol Win 2022 U.S. Pairs
Speedway Championship
K
ern County Raceway Park
in Bakersfield, California,
hosted the U.S. Pairs Speedway
Championship, February 19. A
successful night of racing proved
that speedway lives on, thanks
to the efforts of Steve Evans and
others who run events through-
out the year. The only "problem"
was that the American Pairs
Championship was almost won
by a pair of Polish teenagers.
Although this event usu-
ally draws the best talent in the
country, there were a few no-
table riders missing this time,
with multi-time State Speedway
Champion Billy Janniro not ap-
pearing, So-Cal's Austin Novratil
was at home caring for a new
baby, and upcoming star Wilbur
Hancock came down with Covid
the day before the event.
Nevertheless, it was a power-
house evening with repeat Pairs
Champions Luke Becker and
Broc Nichol teaming up to fend
off the duos of Dillon Ruml and
Aron Fox, Chris Kerr and Dillon's
brother Max, and Eddie Castro
and Rhees Todd.
The surprise of the evening,
however, was the young pair of
Poles, Gleb Chugunov and Mi-
chael Curzytek. Both were here
to gain some experience, and a
better idea of Speedway racing
in America, while being mentored
by Southern California's own
four-time World Champion Greg
Hancock.
In their first match up, Gleb
and Michael scored a solid 1-2
over the rarely beaten Dillon
Ruml and his teammate Aron
Fox. In the next heat, repeat
champions Luke Becker and
Broc Nicol did the same thing,
IN
THE
WIND
P38
Luke Becker and Broc
Nicol lead the way at the
U.S. Pairs Speedway final
in Bakersfield.
PHOTOS:
RICHARD HAIGHT
