Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

BRIEFLY••• The start of the night's racing at Lowe's was delayed by nearly two hours after track management ordered that the surface be watered just prior to the start of the race. The long delay reqUired to roll the track back in was made even longer when one of the track vehicles leaked oil between tums two and three. When the racing did finally get under way. however. the track was phenomenal. "They almost rained it out with the water truck, but then It got a lot better, - Springsteen said. "It was three quarters of a second faster. It was really good. At the time that you're waiting, you're upset for waiting, but once you get to a ride on a track like that... It was nice. With the banking like it is, you've just got to keep your momentum up. My hip is sore from my leg being up so dang high for all 25 laps. " .lay Springsteen, the three-time AMA Grand National Champion is looking forward to the Harrington, Delaware, Half Mile next week, as he will be inducted into the Dirt Track Hall of Fame - becoming the only active rider to hold the honor. "That's going to be neat." Spnngsteen said. "Judy and I have sat down and wrote a few things so that I can remember what to say. You know me, when I get up in front of a group of people, I get really nervous." Garth Bastian realized a dream when he earned his first career Grand National berth at Lowe's. It was an exciting time for the 23-year-old New Yorker and his family, but Bastian took it in stride. "To be honest with you, I felt like I should have been in there," Bastian said. "I've gotten close so many times. We don't have the most money in the world to go racing, but tonight I told my dad to twingle it. That was the first time we ever twingled the bike, and I think that it made all the difference. Plus, I really like this place. Now, I've just got to get used to running 25 laps. I think I was holding my breath the whole time. That was my dad's birthday present. His birthday is tomorrow... Speaking of Garth Bastian, while he may not be the smartest rider at the track, he IS probably the smartest rider on the track. "I have a masters degree in business, and I'm an engineer by trade," Bastian said, "But once you're a racer, you're a racer for life. I guess. It's hard giving It up." Despite the difficulties of his rider, .lohnny Murphree, at Lowe's, Coziahr H-D/Country Motors tuner Mike Wheeler wasn't too upset over his failure to repeat his victory of one year ago as a tuner. "We just have to get our heads out of our ass a little sooner," Wheeler said. "Johnny struggled a little bit before he got rolling, but he never quit. and that's what I like about the kid. He's still young, but he is pretty wise for his age. I'm happy. You know, I had a lot of success here with another guy, but it was just one of them days. If eighth is the worst day we have. that ain't too bad at all. " California rider .lose Aguilar finally got the chance to debut his AMA Grand National number 93 at Lowe's. It was his first race back since blOWing out a knee while competing ,n the Baja 1000 last year. "It felt good to be back'- Aguilar said. "I was just trying to get back into the sWln9 of things. This is a fast track. and I didn't want to overdo it. I didn't want to rush into it." Aguilar finished eighth in the first heat race, and sixth in the first semi. A.J. Eslick celebrates after taking the 883 ftnal. Cox Harley-Davidson/H-D of Greensboro's Robert Lewis Jr. caught and passed Thomas off tum four late F&S Suzuki/HoD's Yuhiko Hirao grabbed the holeshot in the 12-lap final, but Mees led the opening lap. Eslick also passed Hirao early, with Doc's Harley-Davidson's Brian Thomas moving into fourth place. Hirao then succumbed to Lewis and slid backward into the field, where he finished sixth. The front three riders pulled away, with Mees and Eslick battling for the lead while Thomas hung on a length behind them in third. Eslick finally got up a head of steam and shot around Mees off of turn four to take the lead on la p six. Mees tried to retaliate a lap later in turns one and two, but Eslick would not be denied. "Back home in Oklahoma, we run a lot of tracks that are round, fast and super tacky like this one is," Eslick said. "Frieze Harley-Davidson put a super bike under me tonight. That made it pretty easy. All I had to do was twist the grip." Mees was second, which, combined with a 16th"place finish by Scott Scherb, further boosted his series points lead. "We had some problems all day, but we worked them out for the final," Mees said. "I knew that A.J. was going to be the guy to beat all night, but we still got lucky with Scherb Ditto for Mike Varnes, who has struggled since returning from an injury. Varnes was fast enough to eam a direct transfer in his heat race, marking his first main event start in a long time. "I've just been getting It back after being injured all last year, - Vames said. "I felt pretty good to make the main, but then we did some things to dial ourselves out of the program. I think that I could have done better, but you know how it is sometimes. " in the race to land third. "I'm old enough to be some of these guys' dad," Lewis said. "They're killin' me'" eN The Olrt Tl'lIck lit lowe's Motar Speedwey Concord, North Cerollne Results: July 27, 2002 [Round 10 of 20J Two Oklahoma boys made their first Grand National starts at Lowe·s. A.J. Eslick, 20, of Tulsa, earned his first start aboard a Mike Lynch Racing XR750. "That was fast and furious. and a good time," Eslick said. "I got tired, having to run two main events back to back. I don't have a 750 program, so I haven't been in shape to ride a 750. Now we've got the wheels tumlng, and I know what I need to do Monday through Friday." Brandon Cartwright, 21 , of Sapulpa, also made his first start aboard his ex-Team Powell Harley-Davidson. "That was a lot beller, but it was dif· ferent." Cartwright said. "I was a lillie out of shape for it. but I know what to do for next time. I think it will get easier. I knew I could do it. " HEAT 1 (to laps; 9 riders. top 3 transfer): 1. Paul Lynch (H-D); 2. Kevin Vames (H-D); 3. Mike Varnes (H-D); 4. ChrIs Evans (H-D); 5. Johnny Murphree (H-D); 6. Brian Thomas (H-D); 7. Joey Duvall (H·D); 8. Jaime Aguilar (H-D); g. Timmy Mitchell (H-D). TIme: 3 min., 13.593 sec. HEIIT 2 (10 laps; 9 riders, top 3 transler): I. Bryan Bigelow (H-D); 2. A.J. Eslick (H·D); 3. Jake Johnson (H-D); 4. Kevin Atherton (H·D); 5. Garth Bastian (H·D); 6. John Nickens ill (H·D); 7. Jeff l.ondrum (H-D): 8. K.C. Knodel (H-D): 9. Georgie Price IV (H·D). Time: 3 min.. 13.369 sec. HEAT 3 (10 laps; 9 riders, top 3 transfer): 1 Kenny Coolbeth (H·D); 2. Shawn Clark (H-D); 3 Shaun Russell (H-D): 4. Chris Boone (H-D); 5. Jess Roeder (H-D): 6. Joe Eades (H-D); 7. Kyle Leng (HD); 8. Yuhiko Hirao (Suz): 9. Ken Yoder Jr. (H-D). Time: 3 min.• 12.625 sec HEAT 4 (10 IllpS; 10 riders. top 3 transfer): 1 Chris Corr (H-D); 2. Chris Hart (H-D); 3. Jay Springsteen (H-D); 4. Brandon Cartwright (H-D); 5. Geo Roeder II (H-D); 6. Tim Eades (H·D); 7. Brent Armbruster (HooD); 8. Sam Lewe (H-D); 9. Roy Milier (Suz); 10. Aaron Creamer (H-D). Time: 3 min.. 13.987 sec. SEMI 1 (8 laps: 9 riders. top 2 transfer): 1. Johnny Murphree (H·D); 2. Garth Bostian (H-D); 3. Kyle Leng (H·D); 4. Tim Eades (H-D); 5. Roy Miller (Suz); 6. Jaime Aguilar (H-D); 7. K.C. Knodel (H-D); 8. Chris Boone (H·O); 9. Atl:ron Creamer (H·D). Time: 2 min., 36.370 sec. SEMI 2 (8 laps; 8 riders. top 2 transfer): 1. Kevin Atherton (H-D); 2. Geo Roeder Ii (H·D); 3. Jess Roeder (HooD); 4. Brian Thomas (H·D); 5. Yuhlko Hlrao (SU1); 6. Sam Lowe (H-D); 7. Jeff '-"ndrum (H-D); 8. Timmy Mitcheli (SU1). TIme: 2 min.. 36.975 S~. SEMI 3 (8 laps; 8 riders, top 2 transfer): t. Brandon Cartwright (H·D); 2. John Nickens ill (H·D); breaking. That gives us a bigger lead 3. Joe Eades (H·D); 4. Chris Evans (HooD); 5. Joe Duvall (H-D); 6. Brent Armbruster (H-D); 7. Ken Yoder Jr. (H-D); 8. Georgie Price IV (H-D). in the points." TIme: 2 min.• 36.182 sec. The Zero Award for the night has to go to Kevin Atherton, who struggled in his heat race, won his semi and then finished a dismal 17th in the main. "Basically, I just sucked tonight, .. Atherton said. "I have no clue what happened. It was like we were on ice. We changed the motorcycle every time that I was on the racetrack. and not one thing made a difference. We changed shocks, shock springs, everything but my shorts. and my lap times were the same. This was a throw-away." Perhaps rightfully so, Bryan Bigelow warned that nobody should be too quick to hand Chris Carr his fourth AMA Grand National title just yet. "Even though that people are saYing Chris Is still gOing to be number one, It is still tight, - Bigelow said. "There are a few guys who have a log· ical shot at it. We're only 21 out, and that ain't nothin'. We'll see." Bigelow also praised the eHorts of his tuner, Greg Crow. in gelling the team In contenlion for the title. "Greg has been doing a good job keeping the stuff running, and that Just makes it easier for me. ~ BIgelow said. GRAND NATIONAL (25 laps; 18 riders): 1. Clark (38); 18. Willie McCoy (35); 19. Don Stanley (29); 20. Mike Hacker (25/1 win). HARLEY·DAVIDSON SPORSTER PERFORM· ANCE NATIONAL (12 laps; 17 riders): I. A.J. Eslick: 2. Jared Mees: 3. Robert Lewis Jr.; 4. Srlan Kevin Varnes (H·D): 2. Kenny Coolbeth (H-D); 3. Jake Johnson (H-D); 4. Jay Springsteen (H-D); 5. Bryan Bigelow (H-D); 6. Paul Lynch (H-D); 7. Chris Carr (H·D): 8. Johnny Murphree (H-D): 9. Shawn Thomas; 5. Jess Roeder; 6. Yuhiko Hirao; 7. James HDrt; 8. John Faulkner 111; 9. Chris Boone: 10. Shane Fox; 11. K.C. Knodel: 12. Joel Henson; 13. SriDn Kromroy: 14. Robert McClendon Jr.: 15. Ronnie Kemp; 16. Scott Scherb; 17. Josh Toungett. Time: 4 min.. 01.047 sec. Clark (H-D): 10. Shawn Russell (H·D); 11. John Nickens iii (H-D); 12. Chris Hart (H-D); 13. Geo Roeder II (H-D); 14. Brendon Cartwright (H-D); 15. A.J. Eslick (H-D); 16. Garth Bastian (H·D); 17. Kevin Atherton (H-D): 18. Mike Vomes (H-D). Time: 7 min.. 56.392 sec. HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORSTER PERFORMANCE SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 8 01 13 AMA PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE U.S. FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES POINTS STAND· INGS (After 10 01 20 rounds): I. Chris Cerr (144/2 rounds): 1. Jared Mees (138/3 wins): 2. Scott Scherb (107); 3. James Hart (102); 4. Brian Thomes (93); 5. (TIE) John Faulkner iii (81)/Yuhiko Hlrao (81); 7. Rusty Rogers (78/1 win); 8. A.J. Eslick (73/1 win); 9. Josh Toungett (60); 10. Robert Lewis Jr. (50). wins); 2. Kevin Varnes (129/1 win); 3. Kenny Coolbeth (126); 4. Bryan Bigelow (123/1 win); 5. Johnny Murphree (122/1 win): 6. JDy Springsteen (86): 7. Joe Kopp (76); 8. Shaun Russell (72); 9. Jake Johnson (69); 10. Terry Poovey (66): II. (TIE) Kevin Atherton (65)/Geo Roeder II (65); 13. J.R. Schnabel (64); 14. Nicky Hayden (61/2 wins); 15. Paul Lynch (48); 16. Chris Hart (40): 17. Shawn cue I .. Upcorning Rounds: Round 11 • Harrington, Delaware, August 3 Round 12 " Hagerstown, Maryland, August 10 n e _ S • AuGUST 7,2002 43

• Cover