Kevin Harvick’s
Kern Raceway

Bakersfield, California

King of Kern
Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, Bakersfield
April 5, 2025
Results: Steve Evans

RUML CROWNED ‘KING OF KERN’ FOR THE SECOND TIME!

Current US National Champion Max Ruml was once again the ace in the pack as he retained the ‘King of Kern’ title at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, Bakersfield on April 5th.

Though the rider count was on the thin side, it was an entertaining meeting on a warm spring afternoon. It also gave opportunity for an expanded junior speedway program as the track continues to spearhead the future of the sport in the US through its Academy and other initiatives.

The Division 1 class riders had each rider race four heats with the top in points going through to final. It was not unexpected to see Ruml (11 points) joined by Billy Janniro (10) and Alex Martin (8). It was a good battle for the mid pack riders to make their first senior final with 2-time 250cc Youth National Champion Darren Armbruster edging out Justin Almon by a single point to qualify. Armbruster’s win over Martin was the crucial difference maker.

Ruml, out of gate 4, hit turn 1 level with Janniro (gate 4), but the outside traction around the banking on the wide track saw Max lead by a few bike lengths as they came down the back straightaway. Janniro eased into second place with Martin third and Armbruster in fourth. Positions held for the rest of race with Ruml and his peers entertaining with the usual wheelie show after the checkered flag dropped. Ruml has started the year hot, this is his 4th Main Event win of the 7 events held so far in 2025. Luke Becker, Adam Ellis and Broc Nicol have taken one victory each as the other winners.

Brady Landon, current SGP4 World Champion, as expected, cleaned up the 250cc Youth Class with ease, winning all four races. He was also awarded the chance to race non-final qualifiers in an exhibition heat after the main event, where he led Justin Almon home to take another win. The 150cc Mini Speedway class saw this year’s SGP4 contender Riley Rearick win all four of his races including the Main Events. Rearick took some wide lines on the back straight (which merges with the outside clay car oval), but despite his rally crossing, he was unbeaten in the class. As vital prep for SGP4, he also raced a 190cc bike in the 250 class. Other heat wins in the 150 class went to Zander Schroeder (2) and Liam Falcon, with Brady Wills taking the Consolation win.

Wade Boyd went 4 for 4 in the Sidecar Class, whilst new Division 3 rider John Kaderka enjoyed match racing 150 rider Brandon Kemmerly.

The season continues at Kern with a mixture of Speedway, Flat Track and combination of both events. Next up is Friday April 25th ‘The Night Before Ventura’ where several stars of AFT American Flat Track are expected to race on the eve of the Ventura National Round. The Friday theme continues in May with the first ‘Friday Night Bikes’ event on the 16th.

Results
Division 1 Main Event
5 Max Ruml
14n Billy Janniro
30n Alex Martin
20 Darren Armbruster

250cc Junior Main
13 Brady Landon
50 Wesley Rearick
05 Riley Rearick (SGP4 bike)

Mini 150cc Speedway Main
05 Riley Rearick
17 Zander Schroeder
44 Brandon Kemmerly
89 Liam Falcon

Mini 150 Consolation
219 Brady Wills
123 Leeann Emerson
8 Gavin Evans-Seeley
12 Mason Howell
999 Hank Hanaway

Exhibition Match Race 1
44 Brandon Kemmerly
107n John Kaderka

Exhibition Match Race 2
13 Brady Landon
137 Justin Almon
226 Levi Leutz (non starter)

Sidecar Main
88 Wade Boyd / Eric Lindauer
357 Ace Kale / Brent Smith
07 Kevin Kale / Jennifer Hernandez

Division One Points
5 Max Ruml 3,3,4,3 - 11
14 Billy Janniro 2,3,3,2 - 10
20 Darren Armbruster 0,2,1,1 - 4
30 Alex Martin 2,1,2,3 - 8
137 Justin Almon 1,1,0,1 - 3
226 Levi Leutz 0,0,0,0 - 0

Mini 150 Points
05 Riley Rearick 4,4,4 - 12
8 Gavin Evans-Seeley 1,3,- - 4
12 Mason Howell 0,1,2 - 3
17 Zander Schroeder 2,4,4 - 10
44 Brandon Kemmerly 3,3,3 - 9
89 Liam Falcon 4,2,3 - 9
123 Leeann Emerson 2,1,1,- 4
219 Brady Wills 3,2,2 - 7
999 Hank Hanaway 1,0,1 - 2

Sidecar Points
07 Kevin Kale / Jennifer Hernandez 1,2,2 - 5
88 Wade Boyd / Eric Lindauer 3,3,3, - 9
357 Ace Kale / Brent Smith 2,1,1 - 4

King of Kern Winners
2025 Max Ruml
2024 Max Ruml
2023 Broc Nicol
2022 Luke Becker
2021 Broc Nicol