Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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AMAIPragressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championships Round 5: Hagerstown Speedway STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAVE HOENIG/FLAT TRAK FOTOS HAGERSTOWN, MD, JaNE 1 ~ f there is one adjective that might best describe Johnny Murphree's first career victory in the AMA's Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championships series, it has to be smooth. And that word alone could also be used to illustrate just how far the 23-year-old Californian has come since joining the circuit as a cocky, wild-riding rookie in 1997. Those days appear to be gone, if the 25-1ap Grand National main event at Hagerstown Speedway is any indication. Because Murphree was smooth. The Coziahr-Harley-Davidson/Country Motors-backed Murphree left the other 16 starters in his wake, leading every lap of the main. From about lap three, Murphree was on cruise control. "That is the easiest thing I've ever done on a motorcycle," Murphree said. "' rode around all day like I had my sister on the back. , was just driving around, easy on the gas, easy off the gas. I was looking way down the track. Everything was just flowing all day long, from the first practice on. , owe that to Mike Wheeler. He kept me in control. In the past, I've (Below) Chris Carr finished second at Hagerstown, thus retaining the series points lead. Carr leads Murphree, 75-69. 30 JUNE 12. 2002' cue • • that were faster, but by the time I got has really helped me keep my cool, I've got so much confidence in him." Finishing a strong second was defending series champion Chris Carr aboard the Quality Checked Pre- then I'd jump the light or spin the Owned Ford Racing/David Ules Fuel- thing out and hit the hay bales. He been a basket-case when I was fast qualifier or going good. I'd be, 'Oh we're going to win this thing tonight,' (Above) Johnny Murphree (20) took over the lead from Bryan Bigelow (11) before the Hagerstown Half Mile was one-lap old and went on to win his first-eareer Grand National main event. Bigelow slipped back to fourth at the finish. my groove going he was gone." Dodge Brothers/Saddlemen/National Cycle's Kevin Atherton had moved from fourth to second by lap three, n __ s backed Harley. "We were pretty good, but not good enough to win," said Carr. "Murphree was going good. He had good, consistent laps. We had a few laps but that was his high-water mark. By the halfway point. Atherton's rear tire was losing air. "I could feel the tire starting to wiggle, and I was just hoping it would stay on the rim," Atherton said. On lap 16, Atherton fell victim to Carr. (Below) Kevin Atherton scored his second podium In a row at Hagerstown. The Michigander backed up his Springfield runner-up with a third-place finish.