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BDIRT TRACK AMA Grand National Chameionship_S_eri_es:_R_oUD_d_12 _ e Ricky Graham (3) extend ed his mid-series tear to six in a row by top ping Grand National Ch am p ion Ch ris Carr (1 ) at the Oklahoma City State Fairgrounds. Graham rolls onatOklahoma Ci~ Half Mile By D o n n Maeda Photos by D an Mahony OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, JULY 31 u s t when it looked like Grand National Champion Chris Carr might break the win streak of Team Undo's Champion Ricky Graham, the privateer Honda rider dug deep. He suddenly found a line that worked and raged through the pack after running as far back as eighth to overtake Carr and post his sixth-consecutive National win in a row. Graham's record-extending win came on a hot and steamy night at the Oklahoma City State Fa irgrounds in front of 9,211 screaming spectators, and marked the seventh time this season that the former two-time Grand National Champion has stood atop the highest step of the victory podium. "I'm just in awe of what our team has accomplished this year," said Graham, who in winning his 33rd career National tied his former factory Honda teammate Bubba Shobert for third on the all-t ime win list. "It 's hard to describe what I'm feeling right now. I'm overcome with happiness and hope. I can only hope and pray for my continuing success." J 16 And after witnessing Graham's comefrom-behind win on the slippery course aboard his Johnny Goad-tuned RS750, one might come to the conclusion that divine intervention indeed would be the only thing to keep Graham from winning again. "I never looked back, but with the way Ricky has been riding, I wasn't really surprised when he went past me," admitted Team Harley-Davidson's Carr, who held on to finish a close second . "It just wasn't a very good night for me." Finishing third a t th e Ronnie Jones/Keith Brewer-promoted, Dub Richardson Ford-Isuzu /KXY 96FM / Maxey's Cycles/Oklahoma HondaSuzuki/House of Kawasaki & Suzukisponsored even t was privat eer Harley rider Steve Morehead , who fough t off the repeated charges of Rodney Farris to finish a d istant third. Morehead 's thirdplace fin ish in the Na tional ca pped an already-sweet evening, as the w ily veteran had earned the $50 00 w in ne r 's share in the $10,000 Camel Challenge earlier in the program. "Not a bad night, I'd say," laughed the personable 37-year-old Ohio rider. For his win in the National, Graham pocketed $5500 of the $35,000 p urse, while Carr and Morehead earned $3500 and $2500, respectively . But more importantly, Graham extended his series point lead to 41 over Carr, 200159 . Four-time Grand National Champion Scott Parker continues to maintain third in the standings with 132, despite having an off night and finishing a distant sixth. "I wasn't really thinking about it, but everyone sure did a good job of reminding me," said Parker, in reference to the crash that he and Carr were involved in last year at the facility . "That didn't slow me down, though, I just couldn't get hooked up. I'm trying to give those guys hell, but instead they're kicking the hell out of me ." Time tri als Due to strength-sapping 102-degree temperatures, prac tice was delayed over an hour to bo th spare the lea therclad riders, and to allow track preparer Harold Murrell some additional time with the course. During the first half of the open practice session, a chalk line was laid down in the middle of the tr a ck in hopes tha t the riders would circula te the top half and lay the foundation for a wide groove. In the second half of practice, riders were allowed to. dip below the chalk and assume their usual low lines, but many feIt that the chalk • idea was in vain. "It's a good idea, but the AMA should do just the opposite," said Carr. "Th ey should start us down low, then make us go up high. The way they're doing it now - we get a good groove going up high, but th en when we go low we blow dust all over the top again and defeat the purpose. We 've been telling them to do it the other way for years." Promoter/racer Jones apparently shared Carr's sentiments, but as the