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/128223
AMA Progressive Insurance U. S. Flat Track Championships Round 8: Sharon Speedway four-wide racing all night to entertain the large crowd. Hero of the night was last year's Rookie of the Year, Jake Johnson. The Moroney's HarleyDavidsonj1-800FASTHOG-backed rider took full advantage of a restart, stalking the leader, Joe Kopp, until the halfway point. Johnson took over on lap 12 and slowly pulled to almost a two-second lead at the finish. "I don't know what to think, but it really feels good to get that first big bike win," Johnson said. The first start saw the hottest rider on the circuit, KTM Sportmotorcycles/ Jones Powersports' Kopp, in command, with Johnson, Kevin Atherton, Kenny Coolbeth, Rich King and Chris Carr bunched in pursuit. As lap three started, Chris Boone unloaded hard in turn one, bringing out the red flag. After laying motionless for a few minutes, Boone was helped to his feet, walked to the ambulance and retreated to his pit for the night. The race then seemed to take a new face as part two unfolded. "When Joe got out in front, he was on the gas the first time," Johnson said. "I didn't think 1 would be able to catch him, then after the restart he started to get away the first couple of laps. I don't know what changed. Maybe I got a little smoother or the tire came in, but I was able to pick up the pace and get by him. Before I knew it, 1 had a big lead and just kind 18 JULv16,2003' cue I e (Above) The Quiet Man: Paul Lynch passed several riders in the main after his tire warmed up. The Marylander finished a career-best fourth. n e vv s of cruised the last five or 10 laps." When the race restarted, it looked like a three-rider race developing as Kopp and Johnson were joined by points leader Chris Carr on his Quality Checked Certified Pre-Owned Ford-backed Harley. After a few laps Carr was displaced by factory Harley rider Rich King. Despite heavy pressure, Kopp clung to the lead. "I was just concentrating on keeping my wheels in line and keeping it rolling," Kopp said. "I didn't want to change my line until someone passed me and showed me another line. I tried to not look back. I didn't have to. I could hear them. I knew they were there. Once Jake got by, it seemed like he really got away for a couple of laps. I thought I started to make a little ground back up when I started going real high in the turns, but then 1 bobbled, and 1 just had to put it on cruise after that." Johnson remained focused and made it payoff. "Rich was poking it in, up the inside," Johnson said. "He was getting a good run going in, but I knew he wouldn't have the drive coming off the bottom, so 1 was just concentrating on getting by Joe. I just kept the pressure on Joe until 1 could get a better drive and was able to get by. 1 was a little worried because the bike wasn't working as good in the main