Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1502241
Ruml Rumbles at Speedway Opener T he 2023 AMA Speedway National Championship Series kicked off at Kern County Raceway Park on June 24 with the race once more held in honor of former Bakersfield Speed - way Motorcycle promoter and National Flat Track Rider Digger Helm. On paper it looked like there were five favorites who were too close to call based off of recent form at Costa Mesa and City of Industry, where the winners from all events had come to face off: the Ruml brothers Max and Dillon, 11-time and defending National Champion Billy Janniro, Broc Nicol and Austin Novraril. However, Novratil's night lasted less than 20 seconds. He was ahead of Janniro in heat three but got out of shape in turn one, and after a big get-off, a swollen hand meant calling it a night. The big five became the big four, and to make matters more interesting, the top dogs all met in heat 12, which meant not dropping points in other races would be all the more crucial. Races on paper don't often go to form in real life, but this night they did. The four favorites won 16 of the 20 heats between them. The only rider outside of the "in - ner circle" to wedge his way in was returnee Rheten Todd, who beat Nicol in round four. Semi 1 saw Nicol grab the lead from the gate and run while Max Ruml had to make a pass on Chris Kerr to make the final. The first defeat of the night for the 2021 National Champ meant he had slipped from first to third gate choice in the final. Semi 2 was an epic show - down with Dillion Ruml once more making a statement that his recent win in the Connor Pen- hall Cup was no one-off, making an audacious outside pass on Janniro for the win. Borello kept close in third but not quite near enough to make a move for a place for a final spot. The Main event was next and the standing-room-only crowd saw Dillion Ruml grab the lead from gate four and never look back, going into turn one with Janniro down low and Max a bit higher and Nicol even higher to get traction and try to slingshot around them. Max got a drive out of turn two and pulled from Janniro as Nicol also got by. Dillion pulled away with Max try - ing to catch him with Nicol hot on his rear wheel. Janniro just could not get a drive to catch the riders in front of him. At the checkers it was Dillon followed by Max, then Broc and Billy. Mitch Friedman/Steve Evans Main Event 1. Dillon Ruml (20) 2. Max Ruml (19) 3. Broc Nicol (15) 4. Billy Janniro (15) WIND IN THE P48 Dillon Ruml checks his six en route to the win at the AMA Speedway National Championship opener at Kern County Raceway. PHOTO: MITCH FRIEDMAN