Schwartz Wins State Speedway Title in Runoff

Bobby Schwartz of Costa Mesa defeated Mike Faria and Phil Collins in a four-lap runoff Saturday night to win the 24th California State Speedway Championship in front of 2,200 fans at Glen Helen Regional Park.

Schwartz, Faria and Collins tied for first with 14 points to force the runoff. Faria, the defending champion, won the coin toss and elected to start the runoff on the outside.

Schwartz, starting on the pole, used an excellent start to beat Faria. Collins was disqualified before the race began when he rolled into the starting tapes.

Results

1. Tie between Bobby Schwartz (Costa Mesa), Phil Collins (Balboa) and Mike Faria (Colton), 14 points; 4. Brent Werner (Lancaster), 12; 5. Steve Lucero (Riverside), 11; 6. Chris Manchester (Hesperia), 9.