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--------. --' -----, -_-.: ~ '- , ~t;rac'k AMA National Hot Shoe Series Florida Flat Track Series Round 213: Volusia Speedway Park Deptford Honda/Metro Racing/P&L Cycle-backed Jake Johnson continued his torrid pace in the 600cc ProSport class. Full-straightaway leads have become commonplace for the New Jersey rider. Jason Storms held down a solid second, while Joel Henson, Raun Wood and Jared Cheney battled for the last podium spot. Henson edged Cheney at the line. Wood led the 505cc Pro-Sport main until the fourth lap, when Johnson once again forged his way to the front. Storms held down third as Brody Miller, Noot Irvin, Jerad Cheney and Josh Toungett battled over fourth. Irvin captured the spot on the last lap. The former expert rider was aboard the brand new 504 Suzuki, which was just put together in the last few days by the Powell Racing Team. The beautiful little machine is gaining a lot of attention in the pits, and the team is also getting help from the Suzuki factory. eN Vola." SpeedwIIy I'wtl ....rviJle. FIoritIa IIesuJts: M8n:lI 7, 20 1 STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAVE HOENIG/FLAT TRAK FOTOS BARBERVIllE, FL, MAR. 7 f:\ fter a three-day rain delay, the Budweiser Half-Mile hit the Volusia Speedway Park, and Steve Beattie made up for lost time at the dual-series event, dominating the 750cc main. The Gardner Racing/Walters Brothers H-DjWiebler's H-D-backed Beattie got the holeshot and led all 10 laps. Will Davis, Rich King and Kenny Coolbeth were wedged behind Johnny Murphree, but Murphree slipped the groove in turn three. Davis and King were locked in a vicious battle over second, but also found themselves off line and falling back. Second was in the hands of Corbin Racing/Dave Burks Motorsports/ Harley-Davidson of Missouri's Coolbeth, with Kevin Varnes pushing his Memphis Shades/Coziahr HarleyDavidson mount into third. At the halfway mark, Robert Lewis held fourth over Mike Hacker, King, Geo Roeder, Joe Kopp and Davis. King was blazing his way back to the front, finally ending up fourth. Hacker and Kopp also got by Lewis before the checkered flag fell. Murphree led the first 750cc heat, with Jason Tyer, Hacker and Greg Tysor next in line. Tysor slipped high and let Roeder by on his way to second'. Lewis and Hacker withstood Tyer's challenge to take the last transfer spots. Harley-Davidson factory rider King fended off Corbin Racing teammates Coolbeth and Kopp. In his effort to take second, Kopp ill Daytona slipped off the groove on the last lap and turned over third to Mike Varnes. Kopp was able to hold on to the last transfer. Davis made it look easy in the last heat, as he kept his Moroney's Harley-Davidson/fasthog.com/Gould Erectors-backed Harley well in front of Beattie. Beattie's new teammate, Bryan Bigelow, topped Kevin Varnes for third. "So far this week has been pretty good to me," understated Coolbeth, who has not finished off the podium yet, and holds a 10-point lead in the Florida Flat Track Series. The 600cc main was another story for the Coziahr Harley-Davidson/Memphis Shades/Jagg Oil Coolers-backed Murphree. The Californian led Kopp, Dan Stanley and Coolbeth into the first turn. Murphree steadily built his lead as Corbin racing teammates Kopp and Coolbeth battled over second. Stanley, John Nickens, Tim Eades, Chris Hart and Hacker were all bunched together. Coolbeth finally took second on lap six and took off after Murphree as the laps ran down. Nickens fell on lap six, but was up quickly and rejoined the chase. Hacker was slicing his way up and got by Stanley on the last lap. Eades also set Stanley back to sixth. Kopp easily won the first 600cc heat, with Tim Eades a solid second. Sam Lowe held off Bryan Smith for the last transfer. Stanley won the redflag-shortened second heat. Roeder and Nickens sent Duane Veeder back to his van. Coolbeth, Hacker and Chris Hart moved out of the third heat. Murphree held a huge 505 PRO-SPORT (10 laps, 12 riders): 1. Jake Johnson (Hon); 2. Raun Wood (Hon); 3. Jason Storms (Han); 4. Noot Irvin (Suz); 5. Brody Mill., (Han): 6. J.,ad Cheney (ATK); 7. Josh Toungett (Suz): 8. TImmy Mitchell (Rot); 9. Mike Lounsbury; 10. Wes Kite (Rot): II. Kent Watkins (Rot): 12. Dale Buck (Hon). H-D SP 883 (10 laps. 9 riders): I. Bryan Smith; It took three days before ther let him do It, but once on the track, Steve Beattie pelt) easllr handled the 750cc division. Here, he's joined In the wlnne"s circle br third-place finisher Kevin Vames (middle) and runner-up Ken Coolbeth Jr. 2. Jason Tyer, 3. Kyle Long; 4. Stephanie Welch; 5. Shane Fox; 6. John Grant; 7. Gerry Booher, 8. Kevin Hilbert: 9. Scott Scherb. 600 EX (10 laps. 12 dders): I. Johnny Murphree (W-R); 2. Ken Coolbeth Jr. (Rot); 3. Joe Kopp (Rot); 4. Mike Hacker (ATK); 5. Tim Eades (Rot); 6. Dan Stanley (Rot); 7. Sam Lowe (Rot); 8. Chri, Hart (Rot); 9. Geo Roeder II (Rot); 10. Jennifer Snyder (H·D); 11. Shzme Uvingston (Rot); 12. John Nickens III (Rot). 600 PRO-SPORT (10 laps. 12 riders): I. Jacob Johnson (Rot): 2. Jllson Storms (Rot); 3. Joel Henson: 4. Jered Cheney (W·R); 5. Raun Wood (ATK); 6. Brody Miller (Rot); 7. Doug Lawrence Jr. (Rot); 8. Brandon Laursen (W-R); 9. Josh Toungett (Rot); 10. Mike Lounsbury; 11. Greg Boyle (Rot); 12. Timmy Mitchell (Rot). 750 EX (10 laps, 12 riders); 1. Steve Beattie (HD): 2. Ken Coolbeth Jr. (H·D): 3. Kevin Vames (HD); 4. Rich King (H-D); 5. Mike Hacker (H-D); 6. Joe Kopp (H-D): 7. Robert Lewis (H-D); 8. Will Davis (H· D); 9. Bryan Bigelow (H-D); 10. Geo Roeder II (H-D); 11. Mike Vames (H-D): 12. Johnny Murphree (H-D). FLORIDA FLAT TRACK SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (Round 3 016): 1. Ken Cool beth (61/1 win): 2. Steve Beattie (51/1); 3. Will Davis (46); 4. Mike Hacker (41); 5. Rich King (38/1); 6. Joe Kopp (37); 7. Geo Roeder II (35); 8. Bryan Bigelow (33); 9. Kevin Vam.. (29); 10. Johnny Murphree (22). lead in the last heat, as Shane livingston held off a whole horde of riders to take second. New HarleyDavidson factory rider Jennifer Snyder slipped into the last transfer spot on the last lap. Thus far in 2001, the HarleyDavidson Sportster Performance class has belonged to Widman Harley-Davidson/F&S Harley-Davidson's Bryan Smith. Smith easily outdistanced 2000 Rookie of the Year Jason Tyer and Kyle Long. cue I _ n __ S • MARCH 21. 2001 49