VOL. 55 ISSUE 40 OCTOBER 9, 2018 P97
BRINGING BACK
THE NINJA
Bryan Smith finished 2018 on a high
note, for sure. "I'm thankful that my
Indian worked so well today," said
Smith. "I didn't even ride the second
qualifying session because I knew I
had a good time and would be on the
front row for my heat. I just decided
to save equipment. I was just work-
ing smarter, not harder. At the be-
ginning of the year, sitting at home
with a broken leg, watching Jared
win, I thought this year sucks, but
to win the last three miles, I'll take it.
With the momentum that we have, I
almost want to keep the year going. I'll
regroup and come back swinging and
try for the championship again." With
that said, it was announced later at the
banquet that Smith, along with team
owner, Ricky Howerton, would revive
the 2016 Championship team, with
Smith, once again, on Crosley-backed
Kawasaki Ninjas.
COOLBETH'S LAST RACE
After announcing earlier in the year
that 2018 would be his last year of
Grand National racing, Kenny Cool-
beth closed his 25-year career with
a seventh place finish, but he felt
the opportunity was there for better.
"I'm bummed," said Coolbeth. "I ran
out of tear-offs. With the mist I was
wiping and a couple times I was just
totally blind going through the corners.
My pace was good until then. I was
catching those guys and then that
happened. I'm still happy. I was still
competitive on my last race. I'm happy
with that. I'll keep myself busy through
the winter. I'll probably be at Daytona.
I'm going to have to find something
else to do. I don't have enough money
to just sit."
Briefly...
(L-R) Bauman, Smith and
Mees finished out the 2018
season on the podium.
