Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Defending HDSP Champion Bryan Smith survived a grinding crash after hitting Johnson's downed motorcycle. Despite being credited with 15th place, Smith still holds the points lead by one mark. Johnny Murphree (H-D); 2. Chris Carr (H-D); 3. Kevin Atherton (H-D); 4. Bryan Bigelow (H-D); 5. Ken Coolbeth Jr. (H-D); 6. J.R. Schnabel (H-D); 7. Willie McCoy (H·D); 8. Joe Kopp (H-D); 9. Kevin Varnes (H-D); 10. Chris Hart (H-D); 11. Paul Lynch (H-D); 12. Goo Roeder II (H-D); 13. Rusty Rogers (HD); 14. Tim Eades (H-D): i5. Terry Poovey (H-D): 16. G.ry Rogers (H-D); 17. Jay Springsteen (H-D); 18. Jake Johnson (H-D). Time: 9 min., 53.785 sec. AMA PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE U.S. FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 5 of 20 rounds): 1. Chris Clirr (75/1 win) 2. Johnny Murphree (69/1 win); 3. Kenny Coolbeth (61); 4. Kevin VlIrnes (60); 5. Kevin Atherton (52); 6. Joe Kopp (48): 7. Brylln Bigelow (39); 8. Nicky Hoyden (38); 9. J.R. Schnabel (37); 10. Jay Springsteen (35); 11. Terry Poovey (34); 12. Shllun Russell (32); 13. Dan Stanley (29); 14. Mike Hacker (25/1 win): 15. Rick Winsett Jr. (24/1 win); 16. Steve Be.ttie (22); 17. Poul Lynch (21); 18. Willie McCoy (20); 19. Tommy Hoyden (19); 20.(nE) Goo Roeder II ( 17)!Bry.n Smith (17). HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER PERFORMANCE MAIN (12 laps; 17 riders): 1. Jared Mees: 2. Scott Scherb; 3. Rusty Rogers; 4. Brian Thomlls; 5. J8mes; 6. Robert Lewis Jr.; 7. Yuhiko Hirao; 8. John FlIutkner Ill; 9. Josh Toungett.; 10. M8rk Witham; 11. Stephllnie Welch; 12. Joel Henson; 13. Shllne Fox; 14. Jeff Hiers; 15. Bryan Smith; 16. JlIke Johnson; 17. Merle Scherb. Time: No TIme - Red Aag. HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER PERFORMANCE SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 3 of 13 rounds): 1. Bryan Smith (46/1 win); 2. Jake Johnson (45/1 win); 3. (TIE) Josh Toungett (39)/Rusty Rogers (39); 5. (TIE) J.red Mees (38/1 win)/J.mes H.rt (38); 7. Scott Scherb (37); 8. Yuhiko Hir.o (35); 9. John F.ulkner 111 (34); 10. Brion Thom.s (25): 11. Merle Scherb (21): 12. Mark Withom (20); 13. VIctOr McAnally (14): 14. (TIE) Shone Fox (13)/Robert Lewis Jr. (13); 16. K.C. Knodel (11): 17. (TIE) Scon Deubler (9)/Brian Kromroy (9); 19. Stephanie Welch (8); 20. Joel Henson (7). Upcoming Rounds: Round 6 - Granite City, Illinois, June 15 Round 7 - Lima, Ohio, June 29 until mechanical problems sent him to the pits on lap six. Mees and Johnson were staging a great race as Johnson tried all his "veteran" moves on the youngster. Johnson even took the lead coming off turn two, only to bobble and give the lead back. As the two leaders came off turn four to finish lap seven, Johnson fell, with his Sportster spinning into the groove. Defending series champion Bryan Smith was back in the pack in seventh place, and as they came out of tum four he could not miss Johnson's fallen mount. The sickening crash broke both motorcycles in half and sent Smith to the hospital, with what was reported as "only" an arm injury. Mees picked up where he left off and easily brought his Moroney's Harley-Davidson/Michael's HarleyDavidson-backed Sportster home for his first Professional National win. R&D Machine/Carl Patrick's Rusty Rogers looked to have second covered until he slipped off the groove in turn two. MariouneauxNallin Racing/A&A/Jim Wagner's Scott Scherb took full advantage and charged into second. Rogers held on to finish third, ahead of Brian Thomas (Doc's Harley-Davidson/Jim Wagner) and Coziahr Harley-Davidson/Kiesow Racing's James Hart. CN Hagerstown Speedway Hagerstown, Maryland Results: Juna I, 2002 (Rnund 5 of 2Ul HEAT 1 (10 laps; 12 riders. top three transfer): 1. Kevin Atherton (H·O); 2. Chris Carr (H-D): 3. Kevin Varnes (H-D); 4. Joe Kopp (H·O); 5. Bryen Smith (H-O); 6. Jason Tyer (H-D); 7. Brandon Cartwright (Suz); 8. Al!lron Creemer (H·O); 9. Ron Hall (Suz); 10. Mike Hinds (Suz); II. KC Knodel (HD); 12. Cory Roth (H-D). Time: No Time - Red Flag. HEAT 2 (10 laps; 12 riders. top three transfer): 1. Johnny Murphree (H-D); 2. Ken Coolbeth Jr. (HD); 3. Willie McCoy (H-D); 4. Tim Eades (H-D): 5. Rusty Rogers (H-D); 6. Brent Armbruster (H-D); 7. Chris Boone (H-D); 8. Joe Eedes (H-D); 9. Dave Rayburn (H-D); 10. Mike Vernes (H-D); 11. Roy Miller (Suz); 12. Jeff Landrum (Suz). Time: 3 min., 59.969 sec. HEAT 3 (10 laps; 12 riders, top three transfer): 1. Bry.n Bigelow (H-D); 2. J.y Springsteen (H-D); 3. Terry Poovey (H-D); 4. J.R. Schn.bel (H-D); 5. G.ry Rogers (H-D); 6. Sh.un Russell (H-D): 7. Greg Tysor (H-D); 8. Ken Yoder (H-D); g. Joe Duv.1 (H-D); 10. Jess Roeder (H-D); 11. Som Lowe (Suz); 12. Scan Scherb (Bue). Time: 4 min.. 02.352 sec. HEAT 4 (10 laps; 12 riders, top three transfer): 1. Jake Johnson (H-D): 2. Chris Hart (H-D); 3. Paul Lynch (H-D); 4. Goo Roeder II (H-D); 5. Sh.wn CI.rk (H-D); 6. Kyle Long (H-D); 7. Yuhiko Hir.o (Suz); 8. Brian Thomas (H-D); 9. Eric Rickman (H·D): 10. George Rich~yer (Suz): 11. Tom McGrane (Han). 12. TImmy Mitchell (Suz). Time: 4 min.. 02.255 sec. SEMI I (8 laps; 12 riders, top two transfer): 1. Tim Eades (H-D); 2. G.ry Rogers (H-D): 3. Sh.wn CI.rk (H-D); 4. Chris Boone (H-D); 5. J.son Tyer (HD); 6. Ken Yoder (H-D); 7. Som Lowe (H-D); 8. Mike Vames (H-D); 9. Ron H.II (Suz); 10. Cory Roth (HD); 11. Brian Thomlls (H-D): 12. Tom McGrllne Jr. (Han). TIme: 3 min., 15.417 sec. SEMI 2 (8 laps; 12 riders, top two trllnsfer): 1. Rusty Rogers (H-D); 2. Geo Roeder II (H-D); 3. Sh.un Russell (H-D); 4. Joe E.des (H-D); 5. Joe DuvlIlI (H-D); 6. Yuhiko Hirao (Suz); 7. Aaron Crellmer (H·D); 8. George Richtmeyer (Suz): 9. KC Knodel (H-D); 10. Roy Miller (Suz); 11. Scan Scherb (Bue); 12. Bry.n Smith (H-D). Time; 3 min., 15.379 sec. SEMI 3 (8 laps: 12 riders. top two transfer): 1. J.R. Schn.bel (H-D): 2. Joe Kopp (H-D); 3. Greg Tysor (H-D); 4. Kyle Long (H-D): 5. Jess Roeder (HD); 6. Brent Armbruster (H-D); 7. Brandon Cartwright (Suz); 8. Mike Hinds (Suz); 9. Eric Rickman (H-D); 10. Dave Rayburn (H-D); 11. Jeff Lendrum (Suz); 12. Timmy Mitchell (Suz). Time: 3 min.. 13.814 sec. GRAND NATIONAL (25 I.ps: 18 riders); 1. BRIEFLY••• Johnny Murphree pocketed $5305 for the win that was almost too easy. -, kept looking around, it was really boring. - Murphree said. -I thought about changing my lines. Just for something to do. The last lap. I had moved to the bottom and was going to look back at Chris and wave. I tumed my whole body back and the bike just jumped sideways. I almost threw it away. That would have been so dumb. " Kevin Varnes was hoping to celebrate his 28th birthday on Sunday with a win on Saturday, but had to settle for ninth on his "home - track. Rusty Rogers scored his only Grand National win 10 years ago at the Hagerstown Speedway. and the Virginia rider proved he can still get around the half-mile. as he won his semi in the GNC class before finishing 13th in the National and also winning his Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance heat and finishing third in the HDSP National. The points race in the HDSP class is really heating up. With the uncertain status of points leaders Bryan Smith (46) and Jake Johnson (45). the tight pack from third through seventh ,s very interesting. Youth and experience are clashIng. as Josh Toungett and Rusty Rogers are tied at 39. And again. with Jared Mees and James Hart with 38 each Scott Scherb. Yuhlko Hirao and John Faulkner III come in with 36. 35 and 34. respectively. There has been no repeat winner so far thiS year. In the five GNC races. RICky Winsett Jr.. Mike Hacker. Nicky Hayden, Chris Carr and Johnny Murphree have the wins In the HarleyDavidson Sportster Performance Nationals. the wins have gone to Jake Johnson. Bryan Smith and now Jared Mees. While the Grand National points race is not as tight the Sportster's. the contenders all say iI's too early to worry about points anyway. Chris Carr leads with 75 points. "II's too early to even think about it - there·s. what. fifteen races left. - Carr said. Kevin Atherton agreed. "Hey. we finished third with a flat tire. and thaI's better than fourth. - Atherton said "We'lI get ·em. There's a lot of races left. We keep plugging away. and we'lI be all right." Johnny Murphree's Hagerstown-winning bike could well have been dubbed the "25-lap wonder" as the brake caliper broke at the finish line. Even though it was his best finish of the year. Bryan Bigelow was disappointed with his fourth-place performance. "I'd like to have won." Bigelow said. "We were hoping to pick it up a little bit. but we didn·t. Our lap times were the same all night - no better. no slower. I'm a little disappointed. These tracks are my cup of tea. but we'lI just move on. The way this year has gone. this wasn't bad." cue' e n e _ s JUNE 12.2002 33

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