Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128177
you have to get through the first few laps and then see where you are, and then get on it," Kopp said. "I almost hit Jake Johnson when he spun out, but I was able to get through that. I really wanted to beat one of them Haydens tonight, but it didn't happen. I wish that I would have gotten a better start in the main event. I caught up to Tommy the last couple laps, but I couldn't get by him. He got me at the line." Running second, Murphree, too, was in cruise mode late in the race. He had ridden hard early in the hope of catching Nicky Hayden, but realized that any attempts to catch him were futile. "I didn't really feel any pressure from the back," Murphree said. "I was more concerned with how Nicky was just driving off into the sunset. That hurt. The guy is a hell of a racer, but we're all pretty much on the same motorcycles. He has got a little bit here or there, but that's not going to make for a half a lap in 20 laps. He's just phenomenal on that thing. He was getting on the gas early, and the more I'd watch him and the more that I'd try to get the gas on early, I'd just keep making bigger mistakes. "I wasn't feeling a lot of pressure from third place, so I just smoothed out and cruised. I just tried to stay calm, because there was no catching Nicky." Nicky Hayden crossed the line in what could be his last dirt-track race in a long time, but he crossed it a winner. "I wanted to win, and that's how I wanted to do it - wire to wire," Hayden said. "It was pretty cool because a lot of people who have never seen me race were here, like a lot of the people from Honda. And with all the legends out here, and my bros here, and working with Jake [Zemke] and Rog [Hayden] out of the same truck I mean, we were just singin'l." he laughed. And Hayden was quick to point out that this is not the last time that he will be seen playing in the dirt not if he has any say in the matter, anyway. "I'm just on hold," Hayden said emphatically. ''I'm not done with it by any means. Some way, somehow, I'll be back in here somewhere. But this will be a good one to think about for the next couple years." eN DII Mar Flirgraunds DII Mer, Celifomie Results: Oclllblr 5, ZOD2 (Raund 9 of 10J PRO SINGLES NATIONAL (20 laps; 13 riders): 1. Nicky Hllyden (Hon); 2. Johnny Murphree (Hon); 3. Tommy Hlilyden (Yllm): 4. Joe Kopp (KTM); 5. Chris Cllff (Vor); 6. J8red Mees (Hon); 7. J.R. Schnebel (Hon); 8. Brett LlIndes (Hon); 9. Steve Belittle (Hon); 10. Jllke Zemke (Hon); 11. DlIIn Stllntey (Hon); 12. Jeke Johnson (Hon); 13. Kevin Varnes (CCM). Time: 4 min., 12.420 sec. DRAG SPECIALTIES FORMULA USA NATIONAL DIRT TRACK SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 9 of 10 rounds): 1. Terry Poovey (260/1 win); 2. J.R. Schnabel (240/1 win): 3. Joe Kopp (230/1 win): 4. Rich King (186/2 wins): 5. Dan Stanley (152): 6. Bryan Smith (128): 7. Chris Carr (114/2 wins); 8. Larry Pegram (106); 9. (TIE) Kenny Cool beth (104)/WiIIleMcCoy (104). Upcoming Round: Round 10 - Del Mar, California, October 6 SANCTIONED 2 www.racerproductlons.com CYCLE NEWS NEVER COVERS THE RACES IN MY AREA..• I DON'T JUST WHINE ABOUT IT••• WRITE ABOUT 'T' If you don't see local coverage in Cycle News of events in your area, you can help by becoming a Cycle News contributor. You write the story (and shoot photos) at your local club and track events, and submit the story to us for publication. We'll even pay you for what we print. All you have to do is call the Cycle News headquarters at 714·751·7433 (weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. P.S. T.; Tuesday thru Friday) and ask for a "contributor kit". We'll send you all the details about how to write local stories for Cycle News. REMEMBER... We can't run it if we don't get it! cue I e n e _ S • OCTOBER 23, 2002 43