Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

And what of last year's winner and perennial Daytona favorite Terry Poovey? Well, the Texan simply didn't have the best night of his brilliant short-track career. Riding his nowfabled "Daytona Special," which gave him Daytona Short Track wins in 1997 and 2000, Poovey was a disappointing 12th, deep in the field. Despite that fact, Poovey could still muster a smile, as he was confident that he was simply a victim of technology. "When it's greasy, I'm no good here," Poovey said. "Everybody who went good here tonight was on a C&J. I knew coming here that the C&J was better, but I didn't want to get off of something that I had won the race on two times now. This bike just won't cut it now. I raced a C&J all last year, so I know it. And now I know that that's what I have to ride from now on. I've been doing this long enough to know that things change, and I can change with them when I know that it's better. I'll be okay." CN hytD_ Municipal St8diulD IIaytou Baa, Florida llesalts: Man:h la, ZOll UIound 1 ., 20) Chris Hart (Rtx); 6. Shane Uvingston (Rtx); 7. Pat Behrle (Rbt): 8. Poul Noonondin (Rlx); 9. Brandon Cortwright (W·R): 10. Scott Sohl (Rtx). Tune: 3 min., 15.169 sec. HEl\.T 2 (10 lap.; 10 rider., top two tron.ler): Will Dovi. (ATK); 2. Don Stonley (Rbt); 3. Bryon Smith (ATK); 4. Donnie Mullen (Rtx); 5. Geo Roeder II (Rlx): 6. John Nicken. III (Rlx); 7. Jess Roeder (CCM): 8. Roy l'\ilIer (RlX); 9. Joson Speorin (ATK); 10. Trenton Bailey (ATK). T1me: 3 min., 14.367 sec. HEl\.T 3 (10 lap.; 10 riders, top two tnln.ler): I. Terry Poovey (Rtx): 2. Kenny Coolbeth (Rlx); 3. Chris CO" (ATK): 4. Rich King (H-D); 5. Sam Lowe (Rtx): 6. PouJ Lynch (Rtx): 7. Gory Rogers (Rlx); 8. Joe Duvoll (CCM): 9. Eric Mischler (Rlx): 10. Kyle Long (Rtx). Brett Landes' (411 fiveyear streak of podium finishes enclecl when he finished fourth on a borrowed motorcycle, but he can stili claim a streak of top-fives that dates back to 1994. Greg Tysor (47) was a career-best fifth In the main event. lime: 3 min., 19.122 sec. HEAT 4 (10 laps; 10 riders. top two transfer): I. Joe Kopp (Rlx); 2. Johnny Murphree (W-R): 3. Georgie Price IV (W-R); 4. Robert Lewi. Jr. (W·R): 5. Steve Beottie (Rtx); 6. Todd Winsett (W-R): 7. Tim Eodes (Rlx): 8. Cloyton Hull (Rtx); 9. Cory Roth (Rtx): 10. Ion Segedy (Rlx). lime: 3 min., 22.186 sec. HEAT 5 (10 lop.: 10 riders, top two tron.ler): I. Don Butler (Rtx): 2. Greg Tysor (ATK): 3. Willie McCoy (ATK): 4. Rick Win.ett (Rtx): 5. John Hlebo III (CCM): 6. Croig Estelle (Rtx): 7. Michoel Vomes (HD); 8. Tom MeGrone Jr. (Rtx); 9. Joson Tyer (Rlx): 10. Bill Newkirk (Hon). (Rlx): 6. Scott Soh! (Rlx): 7. Shone Uvingston (Rtx): 8. Joson Speorin (ATK); 9. Joe Duvoll (CCM): 10. Gory Rogers (Rtx): 11. Trenton Boiley (ATK): 12. Pot Behrle (Rtx). lime: No time due to red flag. Tune: 2 min., 47.017 sec. HEAT 6 (10 lop.; 10 rider., top two tran.fer): I. Brett Londes (Rlx); 2. Donnie Steword (CCM): 3. Shown Clork (Rtx): 4. Chortie Orr (CCM); 5. Roger SEMJ 3 (8 laps; 12 riders, winner transrers): 1. Robert. Lewis (Rtx); 2. Roger Durkee (Rtx); 3. Georgie Price Iv (Rue); 4. Charlie Orr (CCM); 5. John Hlebo III Durkee (Rtx); 6. Chris Evans (Han); 7. Joson (CCM): 6. TIm Eades (Rlx): 7. Ken Yoder (ATK): B. Croig Esteile (Rlx): 9. Cloyton Huil (Rlx); 10. Todd Kendig (W-R): 11. Biil Newkirk (Hon): 12. Joson Tyer (Rtx). Time: 2 min.. SO.719 sec. Fletcher (ATK); 8. Todd Kendig (W·R): 9. Ken Yoder (ATK); 10. Michoel Hinds (ATK). Time: 3 min., 27.638 sec. SEMI 1 (8 lop.; 12 rider., winner tran.fers): I. Bryon Bigelow (RlX): 2. Chrt. Hart (rtx): 3. Donnie Mullen (Rtx); 4. Poul Lynch (Rtx): 5. Bryon Smith (ATK): 6. Roy Miller (Rtx): 7. Jess Roeder (CCM); 8. HEAT 1 (10 laps: 10 riders. top two transfer): 1. Kevin Vemes (CCM); 2. Mike Hacker (ATK); 3. Samuel Lowe (Rtx); 9. Brandon Cartwright (W·R); 10. Kyle Long (Rtx); II. Poul Normondin (Rtx): 12. Eric Mischler (Rtx). Time: No time d~ to red flag. SEMI 2 (8 lap.: 12 riders, winner transfer.): I. Chris CO" (ATK); J.R. Schnabel (W-R); 3. RIch King J.R. Schnobel (W·R); 4. Bryon Bigelow (Rtx): 5. (H-D): 4. Geo Roeder II (Rtx); 5. John Nickens III BRIEFLY••• After suffering a rare fall that knocked him out of contention for his heat-race win during Friday night's AMA National Hot Shoe race at Daytona Municipal Stadium, Terry Poovey was wellrested and ready to shoot for his third Daytona Short Track win on Saturday. Poovey got the extra break by opting to scratch from his semi in Fnday's competition. -It pays $50 from second to 12th, and I would have had to start on the last row, so I wanted to save my motorcycle for Saturday night." Poovey said. Poovey started off Saturday's qualifying action by running second, behind Friday-night winner Brett Landes, in his scratch heat. "I could have beaten Brett. but he was on my motorcycle, so I didn't want to stuff him, - Poovey said. As things turned out. Poovey might have been better off going for the stuff. The reason that Brett Landes was riding Terry Poovey's motorcycle was not a matter of choice. but rather a matter of necessity. After winning the previous night's rain-shortened main event. it seems that Landes' Audiovox/Quaker State mount had exactly 14 laps in it. "It blew up on the first lap of the first practice. - landes said. -I think it either broke a piston or a rod." Poovey was gracious enough to loan Landes his backup for the evening. and while Landes was effective on the machine in qualifying, he said that he struggled aboard the unfamiliar bike. "It didn't feel as good as my bike, but it was better than what I had, which was nothing. Thanks to Terry Poovey, I do have something to ride tonight. We'll be all nght. It's Just going to make me work that much harder to keep my podium streak alive here. " J"R. Schnabel showed up with a new Suzuki DR-Z400-powered short-tracker for Friday night's warmup race. While that may not seem like a big deal in light of the recent attention that singles have received In other dirt-track formulas last year, this particular motorcycle was built with the help of American Suzuki and Yoshimura R&D as a development vehicle for the AMA's 503cc singles class, which is scheduled to debut in 2002. Schnabel made the 50-rider cut aboard the machine on Friday but failed to qualify for the main event. On Saturday, Schnabel eiected to ride his more familiar Wood-Rotax. "We're happy with what the Suzuki did for us, as new as it is," Schnabel said. "I'm surprised how good it is already. We're going to do some more development work on it, It's already reai close." According to Suzuki Flat Track Support Specialist Craig Williems, J.R. Schnabel's Suzuki does feature a much-modified bore and stroke. "It comes in at S03.17cc iast time I checked," Williams said. -We're a little flat on top, and we may have incurred some assembly problems due to the fact that we put it together in a real hurry. But it has done well on the half mile with our Pro-Sport rider Newt Irvin. We're happy that we were able to do so well this quickly. " (CCM): 4. Brett Londes (RlX); 5. Greg Tysor (ATK); 6. Donnie Steward (CCM): 7. Chris Carr (ATK); 8. Mike Hocker (ATK): 9. Don Stonley (Rlx): 10. Robert Lewis (Rtx): 11. Johnny Murphree (W-R): 12. Terry Poovey (RlX): 13. Shown Clork (Rtx); 14. Don Butler (Rtx); 15. Kenny Coolbeth (Rtx): 16. Bryan Bigelow (Rtx). Time: 8 min., 42.886 sec. AMA/PROGRESSIVE INSORANCE O.S. FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS SERIES POINTS STANDINCS (After 1 of 20 round.): 1. Will Dovis (23/1 win): 2. Joe Kopp (19): 3. Kevin Vomes (16): 4. Brett Londes (15): 5. Greg Tysor (14); 6. Donnie Steword (13): 7. Chris Corr (12); 8. Mike Hocker (11): 9. Don Stanley (10): 10. Robert Lewis (9); II. Johnny Murphree (8): 12. Terry Poovey (7): 13. Shown Clark (6); 14. Don Butler (5); 15. Kenny Coolbeth (4); 16. Bryon Bigelow (3). SEMI 4 (8 laps; 12 riders. winner transfers): J. Shawn Clark (Rtx): 2. Chris Evans (Han); 3. Steve Beattie (Rtx); 4. Michael Varnes (H-D); 5. Willie McCoy (ATK); 6. Todd Win.ett (W-R): 7. Joson Fletcher (ATK); 8. Rick Winsett (RlX); 9. Ian Segedy (Rtx): 10. Tom MeGrone Jr. (Rlx): 11. Cory Roth (Rtx): 12. Michael Hinds (ATK). Upcoming Rounds: Round 2 .. Houston, Texas, April 21 Round 3 - Fort Worth, Texas, May 5 Time: 2 min., 48.945 sec. GRAJ'lD NATIONAL (25 lap.; 16 riders): I. Will Davis (ATK); 2. Joe Kopp (Rue): 3. Kevin Varnes Dan Butler made his first GNC appearance since the horrifying Hagerstown '99 crash that left him with a shattered left leg, leaving some railbirds to wonder if he could even remember how to nde the bike. "I don't even know," Butler said. -Once I get out there, I'm sure I'll figure it out. During the surgeries on my leg, they gave me a blood transfusion, so you'd think dirt track racing would be out of my blood, but I guess it regenerated. I just couldn't stay away." Still riding with a rod in his leg, Butler qualified for the show on Saturday night. Speaking of injuries. Texas rider Willie McCoy showed up to Daytona with a smashed right hand, the result of a crash suffered while McCoy was participating In a dirt-track exhibition in Australia. Despite a shattered knuckle on his right hand, McCoy claimed he was ready to go. "It was just my little finger," McCoy said. "I still have nine left. I'm ready to get it on tonight." A usual partiCipant in the main event, McCoy failed to make the cut this time. Speaking of failing to make the cut, none other than Jay Springsteen was spotted in street clothes before the night's action even began, Simply put, Springer failed to qualify. "It ain't no big thing." Springsteen said. -That's Daytona for you. I still had fun with my buddies down here. Chris Carr said that he was very pleased with his fourth-place finish on Friday night, and he was looking to improve upon that in the Daytona Short Track. "The way I look at it, we qualified 43rd and finished fourth," Carr said. "I was really encouraged by our lap times this morning, too. We're on the front row for our heat race tonight, and that's where we want to be." Carr still struggled to make the show, coming through to win his semi and being forced to take a spot on the back row for the main event. He scrambled through traffic to finish seventh. Just happy to score any points In' the main event was Bryan Bigelow. Showing up with his new Gardner Racing team, Bigelow had finished 14th during the Friday night Hot Shoe race. "It's not where I wanted to finish, but I'm no short-tracker," Bigelow said. "There were 96 guys out here yesterday, and a lot of them were in the truck before it even started. Take a legend like Springer. There's no way that guy should be in the truck tonight, but that's the way Daytona is. I just want to come out of tonight with some points, and I'll be happy." Bigelow had reason to smile when the race was over. He qualified for the main event and finished 16th - dead last - good for three points to start the season. Rich King continued to suffer the plight of the factory HarleyDavidson rider at Daytona again this year. After finishing ninth in the Friday-night race. King said that the Bill Werner had changed - a lot of stuff" on the bike. "So if we win tonight. then the changes were all my idea, and if we lose, it's Bill's fault," King said. Whoever was to be faulted, King bowed out of the show in his semi for the second year in a row. And things were even II: U worse for new factory Harley sensation Jennifer Snyder. who failed to make the program either night. Reigning series champion Joe Kopp was confident that he would fare better in the Daytona Short Track than he did in the Friday-night warm-up race, where he finished 10th. -I just had a stacked heat in my scratch race yesterday," Kopp said. "That put me on the back row in my heat race. The start is still real critical here, and I was haVing trouble with those last night, but we think that we've got it figured out now. We've reverted to last year's setup." The move was a good one, as Kopp finished second in the main event. serving notice that he is ready to mount a serious title defense. Despite qualifying second fastest for the Daytona Short Track, Will Davis was quite confident about the outcome of the race long before opening ceremonies. -The only problem we had last night was that we didn't go the full 25 laps." Davis sa.d. "We Just need to keep our nose clean and go the full 25 laps. and we'll be at the front. " Aher finishing third ,n Friday night's main event. Mike Hacker reported that tuner Johnny Goad had made only miniscule changes to his motorcycle for the Daytona Short Track. "What he had worked just fine, but we have made some slight adjustments to the throttle cable," Hacker said. "It's probably more mental for me than anything, but it should make it easier for me to transition from off the gas to on the gas in order to get off the comers." Hacker wound up eighth in the main event. and the throttle-cable adjustment had nothing to do with it. Continental Tires salesman Greg Tysor was once again impressive at Daytona. Tysor has so far decided to keep his day job, but come Daytona, he has been able to run with the best dirt-trackers in the country. He proved it once again by battling his way through the field on both nights. Rookie of the Year contender Bryan Smith took his lumps in a vicious crash that saw him cartwheel half the length of the front straight on Friday night. but he was back in action for Saturday night. -I bit my tongue and cut my chin, and when I jumped up, I was feeling kind of dizzy, but I'm ready to go tonight," Smith said. Smith was a game challenger, but after being banished to the back row for laying it down during his semi, he was unable to make up the distance and take the win for a transfer to the main event. Kevin Vames was the fast qualifier for both nights of racing at Daytona Municipal Stadium. -That's a $100 bonus each time," Varnes said. "If I win, it will be a lot more hundreds, though. We have made a few changes from last night, but we were pretty close already. We had a wider wheel on the front tonight, and that helped a lot. I plan to chase the dirt, but as the main event wears on, I guarantee that will change. - Varnes' fortunes changed from Friday to Saturday, as he finished sixth on Friday and improved to third on Saturday. II: I • n • _ so MARCH 21,2001 29

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