AMA Progressive Insurance U. S. Flat Track Championships
Round 2: Paul Battle Arena
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By DAVE HOENIG
By FLAT TRAK FOTOS
PHoTOS
TONICA, MS, MAR. 29
The
AMA Progressive Insurance
U.S. Flat Track Championships
blew into the small gambling town of
Tunica, Mississippi, to do battle at the
appropriately named Paul Battle
Arena. When the railbirds were looking
down the 93-rider entry list, few if any
would have picked Garth Bastian.
Even after winning his heat race, the
young New Yorker didn't even have
his sights set that high. But, in a town
where fortunes are quickly won or lost,
Bastian hit the jackpot, earning his
first career AMA Grand National win.
"When I won my heat and had a
front row start, I thought a top five
would be amazing," Bastian said.
"Then to have this happen, it's crazy."
Crazy or not the GC Racingl
Nichols Gas & OiJ/Ward Performancebacked Wood-Rotax rider ended the
night on the top step of the podium.
Quality Checked Certified PreOwned Ford Racing's Chris Carr
picked up right where he left off in
Daytona, sitting on the pole for the'
30-lap National. At the flash of green,
it felt like Daytona revisited, as he put
his potent Vor out front, with Coziahr
Harley-Davidson's Johnny Murphree
in second and Bartel's Harley-Davidson's Jay Springsteen replaced by his
teammate, Shaun Russell, in third.
Although Carr looked to have
things under control, Murphree
thought he could turn the tables on
the defending AMA Grand National
Champion.
"Everything was going along pretty cool, and actually Chris was struggling," Murphree said. "I saw he was
I
I
PIIrty on" Garth!: New Y
realized a dream by
career Grand Matlo....
Tunica Short Track in
came from behind to batr
thrilling nine-lap dash to
