Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

parts supplied by Emig's team, but the question remained: Would McGrath be allowed to compete in the Shootout since he was not one of the top 10 finishers in the 250cc Main? Of course he would. Race officials decided to grant Team Chaparral "promoter's choice," allowing McGrath to compete. For the Shootout, the 125cc riders would start off in the first gate, and the 250cc riders would start in the second gate, with McGrath starting shortly after the other riders. "At the 125cc start, Casey Lytle captured the holeshot, with Bentley, Honda rider Chris Gosselaar, Tedesco and Vohland in his wake. Emig grabbed the 250cc holeshot, with Sellards and Lamson in tow. Vohland quickly moved up to third in the first lap and then challenged Bentley for second during laps two and three. I Emig caught up to the last 125cc rider by lap three, but he cut a turn too tight and his bike slid out from under him. Emig got up quickly but droppea back two positions. Lamson went down on the fourth lap and pulled out of the race. Meanwhile, Roncada pas ed Emig, leaving Emig in front of McGrath. Emig fell again on lap five. "Jeff fell over there on the side and ] kind of ran into him," McGrath said. "Some guy stopped in front of him and he fell over, and ] couldn't help but run into him. We both fell on the ground. We got back up and caught up." McGra th was the first one on his bike, with Emig close behind. On the 10th lap, Lytle continued to hold his lead. Bentley finaJly outmaneuvered Vohland and made the pass stick. Vohland held on to third, with Gosselaar in fourth. Sellards, Ron'cada, McGrath and Emig filled in slots five through eight. Lytle held the lead until lap 12, when Bentley passed on the inside of the turn after the whoops. During the same lap, Sellards crashed, and Roncada passed Gosselaar. The crowd's attention was focused on the ba ttle between Emig and McGrath as they traded positions. By the 14th lap, McGrath and Emig passed Gosselaar and Roncada, placing them in fourth and fifth behind Bentley, Lytle and Vohland. McGrath and Emig continued to battle through the J:'ack and eventuaJly settled into second and third, unable to catch the streaking Bentley. Lytle finished fourth and Roncada fifth. (Above) Crashes relegated Emlg (ll)and McGrath (1) to 1he back 01 the pack, but they battled up to the Iront, with McGrath linishing second and Emigthird. (Left) Chaparral Yamaha's Steve Lamson (24) crashed out 01 the main event. Bentley was thrilled to have won. "I was kind of worried about it (the race)," he said. "] had butterflies in my stomach. I rode my own race and didn't make any mistakes. It feels really good." . CIII Glen Helen Raceway San Bernardino, California Results: December 27,1998 125 MAIN, 1. Shae Bentley (! c: .., ." 27

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