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/126656
wouldn't go into neutral," said Shobert. "That didn't help things any but once I shifted into fourth, things were all right except I was about 12th or worse." It was the Graham/Springsteen/ Hank Scott/Filice/Parker show up front by lap five and they were running in close formation with positions changing at will. The draft-andpass show wasn't confined to the front five as Boody, Morehead, Goss, Kicld, Gary Scott, Shobert, Poovey, Jorgensen, Jones, Mertens, Beach and Farris were also using it to advantage. Graham and Springsteen continued to swap the lead with Filice and Morehead trying an inside/outside pass on the two in turn three on lap seven which scattered everyone, but didn't change positions. Filice finally got his front-running position on the next go-around and led with Springsteen, Graham and Hank Scott following. Morehead, running seventh, was into the pits on lap 10 and out of action with an engine running on onecylinder.ln the earlier laps, Morehead and Goss had used each other's draft to pull one another along and close up the distance to the leaders. Shoben had been doing the same with Gary Scott and then Kidd. Filice led at the halfway flags with Springsteen and Graham in lOW as Hank Scott's ride came to an end when a throttle cable pulled out of one of the carburetors. Goss was founh with Parker holding off Shoben for fifth. Springsteen led the field across the start/finish line for his last time on the next lap before Filice took over again. However, the rider who led at the start/finish line wasn't usually the one who led off turn two and, sometimes, not the one who led off turn four either. That was the nature of the battle. The 18th lap saw a big shuffle up front as Goss slipped into second behind Filice and ahead of Graham, Parker, Springsteen and Shoben, with Poovey making a strong charge to tum it inlO a seven rider battle for the lead. By lap 20, the seven had broken into Filice/G05s/Graham up front with Shobert alone, ahead of the Parker/Springsteen/Poovey duel. No more than 20 bikelengths separated the seven. Filice continued to hold the advantage where it counted - at the start/ finish line - as the final five laps clicked off at a rapid pace. The Filice, Goss and Graham fight was so hectic that Shobert closed the gap and the three became four with enough classic draft and pass maneuvers taking place in the final three laps 1O fill a book on the subject. The final 5,280 feet saw Filice lead heading into turn one with Goss, Graham and Shoben in a blur behind. Filice got a drive off tum two, 'but it wasn't enough. Goss drafted past inside going into turn three as Graham shot by on the outside line.. G05S admitted he got into the turn a bit too hot, but was cleanly by Filice and his strategy of having Graham between him and Filice appeared to be set. Filice, in the shuffle, was bumped and his left (inside) number plate bore tire marks. Shobert slipped past and Poovey was quickly by also. Graham led off the fourth turn and all eyes were on the drag race to the flag. Goss chose the line closest to the grandstand wall to make his move while Shobert was sandwiching Graham from the other side. G05S claimed the win by no more than a foot while Shobert lost second by two feet. "Hey, that was some exciting racing," said Goss after his win. "I thought I could get Ricky, but I was (Top) GOA lead. a hidden Jimmy Filice and Ricky Gr8hem (1) in their National bettie. (Above) Graham. Mia. HarleyDavidson. GOA. MiA Camel and Bubbe Shobert in the winner'. circle. (Below) Filice took over from early leader Jay Springsteen (9). but they eventually finished 6-6. still worried about Filice. Ricky and I were so close at the finish that his handlebar pushed my clutch lever in. I had to make my move in turn three because if I had followed Filice there's no way I could've won. Every point helps and rve gOI a good cushion, but the race for the title isn't over yel." "We had one heck of a race to the finish," said Graham, "It could've gone to any of us. If nothing else, the fans got more than their money's worth." "I got off the groove twice in the early going, but then I played a bit of slow-down-to-go-fast strategy and it worked," said Shobert, who had been gunning for his third win in four Indy Nationals. "Two more laps, that's what I needed. There wouldn't have been any doubt then who the winner was." • R.sults 25 LAP NATIONAL: 1. Rlndy Goea (H·O); 2. Ricky Gnhem (H-Dt 3. lubbe Shobert (H-O); 4. Terry Poovey (Honl; 5. Jimmy F~ice (H-D); 6. Joy Sprinu-n (H-Dj; 7. Scoa _ (H-D); 8. Tim Mertens (Hon): 9. Ronnie Jones (H-D); 10. Ted Boody (H-D); 11. Gory Scan (H-D); 12. Alex Jorgensen (H-D): 13. Rodney Forris (H·D); 14. Mike Kidd (H-D); 15. Joy Beech (H-D); 16. Honk Scott (H-D); 17. Steve Moreheod (Han). Time: 15 min.• 30.164 lIIClI. A_ _ speed: 96.757 mph. AMA GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPI CAMEL PRO SERIES POINT STANDINGS: 1. Rondy Go.. (251); 2. Ricky Grohom (209); 3. (TIE) lubbe Shobert/Jey Sprinu-n (203); 5. Scoa Porker (155); 6. Alex Jorgensen (132); 7. Ted Boody (103); I. GeryScon(101);9. St_EklundCI1~lO.Jimmy Filice (76); 11. Honk Scon (75); 12. Mike Beldwin (72); 13. Slew Moreheed (67); 14. Terry Poovey (66); 15. Gregg Smrz (63); 16. Mil.. Beldwin (62); 17. TIm Mertens (581; II. (TIE) Doug Chondler/ Mickey Fey (57); 20. Doug Irouneck 1'42). 9