The Dirt Track
Kern County Raceway Park

Bakersfield, California

Spring Triple Crown Series 3
KCRP Bakersfield - May 8, 2021
Promoted By: Steve Evans E-mail:dreamteamspeedway@sbcglobal.net

JANNIRO WINS THE MAIN, RUML WINS THE TRIPLE CROWN!

The ‘Big Two’ of Billy Janniro and Max Ruml brought the show to the concluding round of the ‘Spring Triple Crown Series’ at Kern County Raceway in Bakersfield, CA on May 8th 2021.

The event featured the Olympique ‘earned handicap’ race format in the three rounds of heats, with riders getting a yardage penalty based on their previous heat result – the better the result, the further back the handicap next time out. Eighteen riders took part in the Division 1 program, with heat points determining the eight riders to make the semifinals. After the Main event, the top three in series points plus a wild card of top scoring rider on the night returned for a ‘Last Man Out Challenge’ with an additional $1000 to the winner in addition to the regular prize money.

The favored quintet on paper of Ruml, Janniro, Austin Novratil, Chris Kerr and Russell Green all won their heats in round 1. Round two began with Ruml off of 30 yards but passing the entire field by turn 3 of lap one to take his second win on the night from the impressive Sara Cords, who held off Dan Faria’s late charge. Janniro struck back in the next heat to also win from the back. Heat 8 had Green and Kerr matched against each other off of 30 yards but it was Division 1 rookie Rheten Todd who held them both off, taking advantage of the 0 handicap but still putting in a polished 4 laps. Green beat Kerr for second, a result that would prove decisive later on. Novratil became the third rider to remain perfect with a from the back to the front win in heat 9 with veteran Eddie Castro scoring his second, 2nd place of the night.

Round 3 kicked off with Ruml once more winning from the back with Castro tucked behind him. Janniro again matched his rival in one of the best races of the night but it was Rheten Todd, also on the 30 yard winner line, who also impressed passing Brad Sauer and Greg Moore for second place. Kerr was back in the winners’ circle in heat 12. Heat 13 saw a very popular win for Wilbur Hancock, starting from the 0 handicap but riding a very accomplished race, keeping Novratil at bay and denying him a heat race maximum. Green from the 20 passed all his opponents to win the final heat with Faria in second place.

An extra run off was needed for the last two semi final places as four riders were tied on 5 points. It was Dan Faria, who has impressed in both outings at KCRP, who came home first. Rheten Todd came second after Michael Wells’ challenge to pass him early on became unstuck and Wilbur Hancock moved through to take third.

Semi 1 featured Janniro, Novratil, Kerr and Todd. After a close and tight battle between Kerr and Novratil it was Novratil who got ahead for second place with Janniro out front. Kerr certainly fought back and kept close but could not find a way through. Ruml lead home Green ahead of Castro and Faria in semi final two.

The main event went off without incident, Janniro initially leading from Novratil with Green and Ruml behind. After being the dominant rider since the track open, Ruml struggled with set up for the first time as Green made his way inside for third. Meantime, Janniro took an overdue and popular win fourth time of trying at the new venue.

To conclude the evening, the top three in series points (Ruml, Janniro, Novratil) and top final round scorer (Green) returned for the ‘Motor City Throwdown’ run off to decide the series top 4. The format consisted of three lap races, with last place in each leg eliminated. Round 1 saw Novratil get away first from Janniro. Ruml made his way past Green to get third place, eliminating his rival who had an impressive evening. Round 2 saw Ruml get away first with Janniro and Novratil locked into a close combat. Coming out of turn 2 on lap 2, Novratil attempted an inside pass but made contact, bringing down both riders with Novratil excluded as primary cause of the stoppage. This left North American Champion Ruml to race Janniro, 10 time AMA Champion, over two laps determine who would win the series and $1,000. It was Ruml who got the start from the outside and pinned Janniro to the pole as they rounded turn 1 and 2 to secure the lead, a lead that would not be broken despite the best efforts from Billy J. It was showpiece ending to a superb three events.

Outside of Division 1 there was also much exciting competition. Division two was once again won by Alex Martin, who took a clean sweep of two heats and main event win. Greg Moore and hugely impressive Slater Lightcap, in his 500cc debut, both won heats whilst veteran Robert Curry won the Consi. With youngster Dylan Wagner second in two heats and the final, the future production line of American stars is looking encouraging.

The Lightcap and Martin showed spilled over to the 250 Junior class, with both riders doubling up. Lightcap won both of his heats and the Main, with Martin the other heat. Impressive NorCal rider Charlie Trana won the last chance race and was third behind second placed Martin in the Main. Martin took the Triple Crown points titles in both Division 2 and 250 Juniors.

Both Division Three heats went to Jim Sanders but Jake Myers was the victor in the Main and the points series. Brody Davis took a clean sweep in the Pee Wee class but Emily Jimenez, second in all races, secured the points championship. Robert Curry and Brian Taggart clean swept the Sidecars and also were points champions. The 150 Mini Class did not run but National Champion Nick Hohlbein was declared points champion.

Next up at Kern County Raceway is the June 12th Harley Night, featuring a full night of Speedway, Sidecars as well as races for Hooligan Bikes and Street Harleys.

Results
Division 1
Heat Points: Max Ruml 9, Billy Janniro 9, Austin Novratil 8, Russell Green 8, Chris Kerr 7, Eddie Castro 6, Rheten Todd 5, Wilbur Hancock 5, Dan Faria 5, Michael Wells 5, Kyle Cunningham 4, Sara Cords 3, Brad Sauer 3, Rees Todd 2, Robbie Sauer 2, Mike Miller 1, Mark Fillebrown 1, Dylan Wagner (wild card, 1 ride) 1, Greg Moore 0, Alex Martin 0.

Run Off: Faria, Rheten Todd, Hancock, Wells
Semi 1: Janniro, Novratil, Kerr, Todd
Semi 2: Ruml, Green, Castro, Faria

Main Event
1 Billy Janniro
7 Austin Novratil
321 Russell Green
5 Max Ruml

Motor City Triple Crown Series Final Showdown
5 Max Ruml
1 Billy Janniro
7 Austin Novratil
321 Russell Green

Division 2 Main
30 Alex Martin
114 Dylan Wagner
28 Slater Lightcap
243 Sean McDougall
242 Sammy Tetrault

Division 2 Consolation
31n Robert Curry
251 Greg Moore
228 Aidan McNutt
275 Lawrence McNutt
127 David Perry

Division 2 Points: Martin 26, McDougall 19, Wagner 17, Moore 10, Perry 7, Lightcap 6, Tetrault 4, A McNutt 3, L McNutt 2, Bronson Pearce 1, Ron Davis 1, Curry 0

Division 3 Main
175 Jake Myers
365 Dean Newnham
177 Mark Hitchcock
138 Jim Sanders fell
292 Michael Newnham fell

Division 3 Points: Myers 30, Sanders 21, D Newnham 16, Jason Lundberg 10, Hitchcock 8, M Newnham 3, Don Nemarnik 3, Richards 2, Tim Dion 0, Tom Settlemire 0

250 Junior Main
28 Slater Lightcap
30 Alex Martin
66 Charlie Trana
7 Justin Almon

LCQ: Trana, Almon, Catherine Moore, Levi Leutz fell

250 Junior Points: Martin 30, Lightcap 22, Jose Navarrete 10, Moore 6, Leutz 6, Trana 4, Almon 1

Pee Wee Main
2 Brody Davis
51e Emily Jimenez
26 Jackson Joiner
918 Reagan Delgado
125 Ryder Faria

Pee Wee Points: Jimenez 30, Asa Gonzalez 15, Joiner 14, Ryder Manzares 13, Davis 12, Faria 3, Delgado 3, Vance Gonzalez 3, Josie Gonzalez 0.

Sidecars
31 Robert Curry / Brian Taggart
47 Jason Fritze / Sabrina Richardson

Sidecars Points: Curry 17, K Kale 6, Kinne 4, Fritze 4

150 Mini Speedway Points (not contested Round 3): Nick Hohlbein 18 Darren Armbruster 9, Levi Leutz 6, Asa Gonzalez 0.