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Formula USAlBuell Lightning Series Round 1 : Daytona International Speedway tona Harley-Davidson Buell-backed Richie Morris, Smith Brothers HarleyDavidson Buell's Jason Smith and KSW Cycle Insurance/Uberty HarleyDavidson's Anthony Fania running in a pack behind him. Barnes stretched his lead early, running about 2.3 seconds ahead of the pack after lap one. Smith made his presence known when he shot past both Morris and Bemisderfer on the infield section to grab second place, but Smith was quickly reeled in by Bemisderfer and Fania. That jockeying set up the Bemisderfer drive toward the front. Barnes' lead was approximately 4.4 seconds at the halfway point, but Bemisderfer soon began to cut into that margin, which was down to 3.5 seconds by lap five. Barnes then went into cruise mode while Bemisderfer remained on the charge, pouring it on in the infield to cut the gap to just 1.2 seconds at the stripe as they started lap six. Bemisderfer then startled Barnes with an aggreSSive pass in the West Horseshoe and put several lengths on the champ as they rumbled down the back straightaway. "I think he was lying back for a little while, taking a break," Bemisderfer said. "I was hoping he wouldn't look back and see me coming up. I think by the time I caught him, he was a little surprised, but he was still in control." Hard on the brakes, Barnes got to within six lengths of Bemisderfer as they exited the chicane, and he used the draft to pull past Bemisderfer as they entered the tri-oval to receive the white flag. Bemisderfer hounded Barnes back into the infield and made another pass in the dogleg left that STORV BV SCOTT ROUSSEAU PHOTO BV HENNV RAV ABRAMS DAYTONA BEACH, FL, MAR. 3 ot off his come-from-behind win in leg two of the Formula USA Lockhart Phillips USA Superbike Series, Floridian Michael Barnes shifted gears and donned his Kosco Harley-Davidson-Buell/lnnovative Motorcycle Research leathers for a romp in the Buell Lightning final at Daytona International Speedway. And Barnes, the defending series champion, made it pay. Barnes netted $2000 for the win in the eight-lap race, which got soggier with each passing lap, completing the distance in just under 19 minutes at an average speed of 90.653 mph. But the run to the flag was closer than anyone might have anticipated, as Harley-Davidson Buell of Frederick - rider Bryan Bemisderfer emerged from the pack that played the hound to Barnes' hare and ran Barnes down to take the lead with two laps to go. Barnes simply used the superior horsepower of his bike to drive past Bemisderfer at the stripe, claiming the win by .42 of a second. "He [Bemisderfer] was faster than me, but I just had the better motorcycle that's what it all boiled down to," Barnes said. "We had a really stiff setup up for this event, and we really didn't soften it up for the rain, and we really should have. So I'm glad that we pulled this one out. It came right down to the line, and I barely made it." Barnes nabbed the holeshot from his pole position on the grid, leading the 17-rider field into turn one, with. Bemisderfer, Hal's Performance/Day- H Weichel refused to let the wet track bother him, as he jumped hard on the brakes entering into the chicane to pull within three bike lengths of Barnes at the chicane. Wood was still third when the front three riders began to break clear of the pack, but he was still not up to speed. Weichel once again braked late into the chicane on the second lap, this time bringing Wood with him. Weichel then shot past Barnes to take the lead on the East Banking. Wood trailed Barnes through the infield and then made his move for second place on the West Banking. Weichel had already developed a 1.34-second advantage by lap four, but then the Canadian's chances for the win became foggy - literally - as his faceshield began to cloud. "I just feel bad that I let these guys down today," Weichel said. "I normally have a breath guard, and I didn't bring it here this weekend because I didn't it expect it to rain, and I let the team down. But this bike worked awesome. It was a race winner. There's no question it could do the job. I had it sideways in the chicane. I love the rain." Greenwood was running fjfth when he crashed on the infield on lap four, ending his run. He would be credited with 28th place. With Weichel backing off the pace, Wood assumed the lead and immediately began to pull away. Weichel was passed by Barnes after they crossed the stripe on lap five, and the front three quickly stretched out to form a parade, each rider separated by about one second at the halfway point. Further back in the field, Acree and Australian Craig Connell were dicing for the 10th spot. Connell got the better of Acree and then passed John Waters for eighth on lap eight. Up front, Wood continued to up the pace, cutting his fastest lap of the race, at 2 minutes, 7.82 seconds. His lead on Barnes was up to six seconds by then and he added a little more cushion before crossing the stripe. "It took me a few laps to get the feel for riding in the rain," Wood said. "I was a little tentative at first, but we got comfortable and brought it home. Mlc..... "'me. (34) battle. both the wet condition. and Owen Welchel (8) In their battle for second place In the Sportblke final. I got into a few slides, but my Dunlops were pretty hooked up. Everything went smooth." Barnes secured second. "I was disappointed Owen had the problems that he did because he would have been right up there with us, if not between Jeff and I," Barnes said. "I remember Jeff was fast on his 600 this morning. Good on him. He rode an awesome race. I'm just glad to be on the podium again. Three for three in the winner's circle is a good day, I guess." Weichel soldiered on some 9.5 seconds adrift of Barnes. "Barney's been riding real good this weekend," Weichel said. "He's obViously won two races, and he had the track really dialed." Behind them, Andrew Nelson was fourth, with Floridian Johno Bowman fifth. The best battle at the line took place between Harris and Jjm Lester for sixth. Harris just held Lester off for the spot. Connell, John Waters and Acree rounded out the top 10. eN Daytana Inlemalional Speedway Daytana Beach, Florida Results: March 4, 2DD2 (Round 1 of BI LOCKHART PHILLIPS USA SPORTBIKE SERIES: 'I. Jeff Wood (Suz): 2. Michael Barnes (Suz); 3. Owen Weichel (Kaw); 4. Andrew Nelson (Kew); 5. Johno Bowman (Suz); 6. Shoun Herris (Suz); 7. Jim Lester (Hon); 8. C"'ig Connell (Suz); g. John Woters (Suz); 10. Lee Acree (Suz); 11. Corios Macias (Due): 12. James Kerker (Hon); 13. Anthony Cllmmack (Suz); 14. Russ Intravartolo (Kaw); 15. Ian Roper (Due); 16. Dirk Sanchez (Kaw); 17. Christopher Cummings (Yam); 18. Sam Royzinski (Due); 19. Deborah Venega (Duc); 20. John Dempsey (Vom); 21. Doie Dondreo (Vom); 22. Santiago Ville (Yam); 23. Paolo M~lIriano (Suz); 24. Bobb Seitz (Suz); 25. John Lounsbury (Suz); 26. Larry Pegram (Suz); 27. Damn Klemens (Han); 28. Scott Greenwood (Suz); 29. Raymond Bowman (Hon): 30. Bryan Bemisderfer (Bue); 31. Steve Fagan (Vom); 32. Mo" Wait (Hon). Time: 26 min., 02.000 sec. Distance: 42.72 miles Winner's average speed: 94.458 mph Margin of victory: 07.243 sec. FORMULA USA LOCKHART PHILLIPS USA SPORTBIKE SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 1 of 8 rounds): 1. (TIE) Jeff Wood (8/1 win)/Mlchael Bernes (8)/Owen Weichel (8)/Andrew Nelson (8)jJohno Bowmen (8)/Sheun Harris (8)/Jim Lester (8)/Crolg Connell (8)/John Waters (8)/Lee Acree (8)/Carlos Mocios (8)/Jomes Kerker (8)/Anthony Camm8ck (8)/Russ Intravartolo (8)/18n Roper (8)/Dlrk Sanchez (8)/Chrlstopher Cummings (8)/Som Royzlnski (B)/Deborah Venego (8)/John Dempsey (B)/Dale Dandrea (B)/Santiago Villa (8)/Poolo Morlano (B)/Bobb Seltz (8)/John Lounsbury (B)/Larry Pegr8m (8)/08rrln Klemens (8)/Scott Greenwood (8)/Raymond Bowmen (8)/Bryon Bemisde\fer (8)/Steve FOBon (8)/Mott Wolt (B); 33. Tom Kipp (1). cue I D n • _ is • MARCH 13,2002 11