Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

1 DIRT TRACK AMA GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES HEATS The first 10-lap heat set the tone for the day as five riders fought over th three direct-transfer spots. Fast qualifi Camlin led the five riders out of tum four on the last lap, only to finish in second. "I just didn't get off four good enough," said Camlin. It was the yellow Honda of King tha crossed the line first, ahead of Camlin, Carr, Jim Sumner and Kevin Vames. "That was fun, racing with those guys - they give you a lot of room," King said. "All that road racing sure didn't slow Carr down any." The second heat was just as breathtaking. Seven riders broke away, wit each one of them leading at some poin on the track. Will Davis, Joe Kopp, Paul Lynch, Mike Hacker, Johnny Murphree, Kenny Coolbeth and Dale Jenneman were all in position to transfer at one time or another, but it was Tomm Cummings Racing/Michigan HarleyDavidson Dealers-backed Davis comin out on top. "Was that awesome or what?" Da\'i asked. "We wait every year for raein like that. I wan t to win at this place, real bad." By Dave Hoenig Photos by Flat Trak Fotos 12 SPRINGFIELD, ll., MAY 25 nly two other tilnes in AMA Grand National Championship history have riders started off the year with two victories (Steve Eklund in 1978 and Chris Carr in 1992). Never has anyone ever started a season three-forthree. Until now. Scott Parker, the man who already owns nearly all the records, added another accomplishment to his already impressive resume when the Harley-Davidson / AGV / HOG / Fickbacked Michigander won his third race in a row, this one coming in the raindelayed Springfield Mile. At first glance one might think, "Hohum, just another Parker win," but this race was anything but boring. Despite heavy rains that left the big oval a muddy mess, the illinois Motorcycle Dealers were able to whip the fast mile into near-perfect condition when the AMA stars hit the track a day late. - Virtually every preliminary race had three to six riders going for the win. And the National was no different even at the midpoint of the 25-lap race, 15 to 16 riders were in the lead pack. Dan Butler, Rich King, Dave Camlin, Steve Morehead, Jay Springsteen and Scott Parker all led laps, and almost everyone else ran up front at one time or another on the track. But the finish was typical Springfield. Three riders at the line, with the camera needed to name the winner - and several other positions as well. Even Parker was unsure. "Towards the end, from turn four to the finish line, 1 thought 'Man I've got it,'" he said. "Then at the last second, Chris (Carr) and Jay (Springsteen) go by. 1 was sure that I'd beaten Chris, but 1 didn't see Jay until the last second. Springer looked like he might have been ahead, but going past the line at 130 mph, it's hard for us to judge. At the line, 1was looking at the bike next to me (Ca rr's); then a split second la ter I see Jay and he's ahead. I'm thinking, '1 know 1beat that guy to the line, but did this guy (Springsteen) beat me?' I'm looking at this tire and all of a sudden Springer just appears." A short time later, Parker was named the winner, and he jumped on with Springsteen for his victory lap. "Hang 6n, I don't have any brakes!" cautioned Springsteen. "That was really fun, just like the old days. It all seemed so easy," s

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