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/126423
Scott Pearson gets the jump on the field, including lIeft to right) Steve Eklund, Hank Scott. Steve Morehead, John Wmcewic:z. Bred Hurst. G.-y Scott. Mickey Fay, Rick Hocking and Randy Goss.IBeIow left) Springsteen shaved 14 points off Eklund's leed.lBelow right) Ricky G...h8m 1411 edged Eklund out of third. Peoria 14 Jay Springsteen, after a hard fought win over Scott Pearson in the 25 lap Peoria TT, handed Steve Eklund another blow in their chase for the Winston Pro Series crown. Springsteen was joined in the winner's circle by first time champagne taster Scott Peanon and Ricky Graham. "Hey, we're just getting staned," said Springsteen after his win. "I feel good. I'm ready. It's nice to have a close race for the fans, but I would rather have run away with things and set my own pace. However, Scott wasn't having any of that at all." In fact, Pearson certainly looked like he was going to win as he rode the best National of his career, leading 20 of the 25 laps in two different segments. "I really wanted to win, but I guess second isn't too bad," said Pearson afterwards. "Springer got underneath me the first time, bUt I got him right back. I thought I had it then until I slipped wide in turn one and he got a drive on me from the next corner. I darn near lost it on the last lap or he wouldn't have had any breathing room. Hey, don't forget to mention Harley·Davidson West, Valvoline, Circle Bell Enterprises, Bell and M&M Leathers 'cause they're the ones who help me. Bubba Patman built the bike." While things were going strong in the battle for the win, Rick Graham was having problems of his own: Steve Eklund wanted his third 'place slot. They debated wheel·to·wheel for the final seven laps with Graham coming out on top at the flag by perhaps a foot. "I thought I had it," said a sweat streaked Graham, "but I wasn't sure. It was a helluva fight. I'm glad it's over, I'm hot and tired." Graham, sponsOred-by Boss Frames and M&rM Leathers, had gone six Nationals without scoring points and was beginning to think he was jinxed. Steve Eklund and Hank Scott rounded out the top five on what was a typically hot day for the Peoria National. The temperature hovered around the 90 degree mark, and an irregular breeze kept things at the barely livable level. Time Trials Triumph mounted Gary Scott tripped the clocks with fast time, although his 28.S09 second tour of the twisting Peoria M.C. course was shy of Kenny Roberts' track record of 28.270 set in 1975. Springsteen followed just a tick away with his Harley while the Triumph of KRW Hel~ sponsored Brad Hurst - winner of the Castle 'Rock TT - was third. Steve Eklund timed in founh fastest with defending Peoria winner Chuck Joyner, on the Gary Davis Racing Specialties Triumph fifth. Heats While Gary SCOtt ran off to a win in the first heat on his KK Motorcycle Su~Ply/Sisemore Traveland sponsored Tnumph, Harley·Davidson's Steve Morehead and Scott Parker were giving the crowd plenty to cheer about. Parker, who had crashed twice in practice, wasn't about· to let Morehead pass and was perfonning magic tricks in the cushion near the haybales in turns one/two on every lap. "I probably should have crashed at least five or six times," said Parker. "But I wasn't going to let that stop me." In the end, Morehead's smoother line prevailed. However, Parker had won the crowd for his exciting all-out riding style. Springsteen did a disappearing trick in the second heat with Hank Scott and his Triumph coming up to keep a steady hold over Rick Graham for second. Mickey Fay, aboard the American Honda/Roger Stanley/XR 500 entry, finished two bike lengths out of a transfer. The third heat saw Brad Hurst in command from stan to finish leading a pair of 500cc fliers into the National. Randy GoA, aboard Ted Boody's Yamaha TT500, finished second, leading the Honda XR500 of John Wincewicz to the flag ahead of more potent competition. Rick Hocking put his Knight Frames/Ken Weese/American Honda sponsored XR500 out front for one lap in heat four before Steve EIr.Iund took over and began to run away. ~ott Pearson then moved past and things seemed set. However, one lap from the end EIr.Iund's ground wire broke on his battery ignition and he sputtered to a third place finish behind Pearson and Hocking. "I was lucky it wasn't in the National," EIr.Iund said later. Semis The first semi staned without Chuck Joyner, the defending Peoria TT champ, who scratched after his crank broke on the final ~ of heat one. Two riders would transfer from each of the semis with the first spots going to Fay and the Schaeffer's H-D/ Zecllmans Cycle Center/Taylor White Racing Harley of Billy Schaeffer. Semi two was an easy trip for tbe Anny's Mike Kidd while Steve Lewis put in a hard ride aboard his Cycle Parts Distributing/St. Joe H·D span. sored Triumph for the final slot in the 16 rider field. Trophy Race "I sure would have lilr.ed to have been in the 25 lapper (National)," smiled an obviously happy Joe Peterson after winning the Trophy Race. "My spoDlOr Chuck Felten of Chuck's H·D desena a lot of thanks for helping me. I guess we'll have to try again at Topeka and Des Moines in twowee:ks.'· Peterson, Buddy Robinson, and Bubba Rush ran one-twa·three to the finish from the second lap. National Gary Scott lined up on the inside (pit side) pole for the 6·6-4 grid stan of the 25 lap National with Morehead, Parker, Springsteen, Hank Scott and Graham alongside. Hurst, Goss, Wincewicz. Pearson, Hocking and Eklund made up row two with Fay, Schaeffer, Kidd and Lewis ftlling the final positions. "Hey, Scott," called one beer drinIer from the crowd to Gary, "Are you going to win this mess or just fool around~" He wanted to see some action, but it was Scou Pearson and not Gary Scott who was doing the number one trip.