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/126971
Rick Johnson (1) was first into the first turn at the L.A. Coliseum. but he was cut off by traffic and had to work his way back from 16th place. Jeff Matiasevich (201) managed to miss a six-rider pileup at the start of the second 125cc heat. Matiasevich won his heat and the main event. Johnson thrilled the 45,074 fans who witnessed the season Privateer Guy Cooper turned in t he best Supercross performance of his career in Los Angeles. He led the ma in for 18 laps and finished second . A.ALeoors Su,-ercross Series: Final round . Johnson's comeback win thrills'L.A. fans By Farren Williams Photos bvKinnev Jones &. Nate Rauba LOS ANGELES, CA, JUNE 27 T eam Honda's Rick J oh nson overcame an a trocious start to win his seventh AMA Supercross race of 1987 at the 16th running of the CoorsSuperbowl of Motocross, held in Los An des Me mori a l I Col iseum. figured I could make a second a lap on him and I did. He rode a great . Supercross finale with a corne -Irornbehind charge that saw the newlycrowned 250cc Motocross National Champion move from 16th place on the first lap to first place at the checkered flag. Johnson was first out of the starting gate and first into the very right, turn one right-hander, but was pushed into the wall by riders that followed , as was newly-crowned 19S7 Supercross Champion Jeff Ward. By the time the two top riders got moving again they were well back in the pack. Privateer Honda rider Guy Cooper (rom Oklahoma took the lead early in the race and held it until Californian Johnson motored by on lap 19 of th e 20-lap main event, A very happy Cooper held on to claim second and Ward, also from California, finished third after his own come-from-behind ride that began in 13th place. When asked if he though t he wou ld make the run from 16th to first after his turn-one disaster, Johnson said, "Actually, no. I had the holeshot, but Ron Lechien took me OUL He hit me from the side and took me (to the wall). I just kept p lugging away, got into second and Just kept p ushing. I knew I had eight laps to go and had to make up eight seconds to catch hi m (Cooper). I "I was behind (Keith) Bowen and (Fred) Andrews, trying to go around them on the outside when Rick got underneath me," said Ward. "Unfortunately I never saw Rick's lines because he got around them so quick. Cooper rode a really good race." "I wish it had been an IS-lap race, " said Cooper with a ~in, "but itstilt feels great. I knew if I didn 't make a mistake I'd be in the top three. I'm really proud of myseI£ for second. Rick's a fabulous rider." Johnson earned $123~ in first place money, while Cooper's-share of the $30,000 purse was $1110 for his bestever Supercross finish. '; Ward took home $1005. .: In addition, Ward collected $200C for finishing seco nd in the Coors Cup point standings, aseason-long, points-paying competition to determine the consistent fastest qualifier in Supercross heat races. Johnson collected $1000 in third place Coors Cup money, and Cooper netted $2000 for being the top privateer. The Cup was won by Ward's Kawasaki teammate, Lechien, who pocketed $4000 along with a $1000 bonus for winning the fastest heat race of the night at the Coliseum. Kawasaki-mounted J eff Matiasevich topped the 125cc race ahead of Su zu k i ' s Willie Surratt. Su rratt wrapped up the AMA' \ 25cc Western race. "