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/126927
Doug Chlindler (1 0) of California just edged Michigan's Scott Parker (11) to take his first career mile win atthe 30th running of the Honda San Jose Mile. Chandler and Parker pulled away from the pack and finished almost side-by· side after trading the lead at least 42 times. Ricky Graham (3) battles with Hank Scott (14) and Alex Jorgensen (44) during the main event; the order was reversed at the finish. AMA Grand National Championshlp/ Camel Pro Series: Round 20 Chandler nips Parker at San Jose Mile By Farren Williams Photos by Mitch Friedman SAN JOSE, CA, SEPT. 14 Californian Doug Chandler came out on top of a race-long duel with Team HarleyDavidson's Scott Parker at the 30th running of the $45,000 Honda San Jose Mile, edging 6 Parker at the finish line by less than a bike length to claim his first career mile win. Parker'led Chandler and-the rest of the 17-rider field into the first turn of the 25-lap main event, and immediately seta blistering pace that ,only Chandler and his Freddie Spen,cer/SuperTrapp Honda could match. The duo quickly pulled away from the pack and settled into a two-rider battle that saw the point position traded no less than 42 times. Alex jorgensen filled out the top three positions, leading across the finish line a tight clump of riders made up of Hank Scott, Terry Poovey and Ricky Graham. ' Camel Pro Series points leader Bubba Shobert, who wrapped up his second consecutive National championship by dominating the Syracuse Mile last weekend, retired from San jose's feature race on lap five when mechanical problems forced him to pull off while running well back in the pack. Parker and California's Chris Carr were tied for second spot in the Camel Pro standings with 186 points each going into the race. Parker took sole possession of second when Carr turned in a 13th-place finish in the final; Parker now leads Carr 202-188. Graham held onto fourth in the standings with 169 points, but Chandler closed the gap with his win, pushing his total to 166. Shobert remained untouchable with a 280point total, and Ted Boody, who finished ninth in the main, rounds out the top five with 123 points. "Boy, that sure felt good," said Chandler after the final. "We've had a few chances to win a mile and we finally did it. I was surprised when we broke away, but we had a smooth rhythm going between us; that's how we got away. It pumps me up to win so close to home. San jose agrees with ~y riding style. I really like the track. . It was the fourth straight secondplace showing for Parker at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds race track. During his career, the team Harley rider has taken the runner-up spot five times at San jose, but he has never won the main event. "I'd like to thank Doug for a good safe race," Parker said. "Instead of me trying to block him, I would let him by. He was probably doing the same thing. That's why we broke away. I'll keep taking these seconds. They're better than fourth, fifth or sixth." TIme Trials It,was mile veteran Hank Scott of Findlay, Ohio who turned fast time on the "slow" San jose Mile oval. Scott, who is a member of the KK Aftermarket Supply team, clocked in at 38.104 seconds, which was well off tlie record pace of 36.196, set by Graham in September, 1982. Parker clocked in at 38.180 to claim second-fast time, followed by thirdfast qualifier Shobert, who turned a 38.316-second lap. The final heat race pole position was claimed by crowd favorite jay Springsteen, who qualified fourth with a time of 38.37 seconds. Factory Honda road racer Wayne Rainey, who hadn't turned a tireona mile track since he placed second at the Sacramento Mile last September, qualified fifth fastest on a Honda, stopping the clock at 38.38. Rounding out the top 10 were Chandler (38.41), jorgensen (38.49), Steve Eklund (38.50), Pete Hames (38.546), and Boody (38.549). Bryan McDowell, who clinched the junior National Championship in Syracuse, set the fast junior time, stopping the clock at 39.658. Chance Darling, who took top honors at Syracuse, qualified second fastest with a 39.685~ond time. Heats Scott powered his Honda into the lead and held it all the way to the checkered flag in the first 10-lap Expert heat race, which transferred the top three riders to the main event. Eklund moved his Harley-Davidson into second off the start, but was bumped to third by Terry Poovey on lap two - the move set the top three finishing positions. Hames, Eric Rausch, Dave Hebb and Tim Mertens battled for fourth throughout the heat. Rausch slid off the gro.ove and went down in t.urn three on lap eight, but reportedly was uninjured. Hames finished fourth, Mertens took fifth and Hebb rounded out the top six in what would prove to be the fastest heat race of the day; Scott's winning time was 6:16.277. ' Parker and Pioneer Truck Lines( Hi-Poin t(Stutter(Storz/Diamond-