Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

AMA Ford Quality Checked Certified Flat Track Championship (Left to right) Smith, Schnabel and Kopp. Schnabel and Smith enjoyed their second podium in os many rounds. Kopp enjoyed his first podium with newborn son Kody. points. I should be okay for tomorrow and Du Quoin." After getting off the deck, Carr showed how motivated he is by methodically slashing his way through the field from the back of the Single-file restart, putting on a passing clinic that would take him past Coolbeth late in the race. Carr made it all the way up to fourth, while Coolbeth struggled with an ailing motorcycle and wound up eighth. The difference meant four more points in the bank for Carr, who only needs another five at the Springfield Mile to cinch his fifth consecutive and seventh overall AMA Grand National number-one plate. Carr now leads Coolbeth, 207-188. "I had a feeling that the track was going to come to me," Carr said. '~ it brushed off, the hybrid chassis that we've been working on, that thing works good. It seemed to be better than the full-on motocross frame for us, and it was pretty equal to everybody. It may not have been quite as good early on because it was getting too much traction when the track was fresh, but as the track wore out, my lap times exceeded that of the leader. I had some really good lap times the last eight laps, especially when I got by myself. I was able to gobble guys up. I was thinking of the championship, and once I got by Kenny, I just put my head down and tried to put as many guys between us as I could, and I was able to get a few more. If I'd had a couple more laps, I might have gotten on the podium, and that would have been outstanding for me." Pearson, Coziahr Harley-Davidson/ National Cycle's Johnny Murphree and Mack Daddy Racing/JC Racing Honda's Henry Wiles filled in the spots between Carr and Cool beth, with Zanotti Racing/A&A Racing Honda's Jethro Halbert and Bartels' Harley-DavidsonfTNT Harley.com Honda-mounted Shaun Russell eN completing the top 10. 46 ILUNOIS STATE FAIRGROUNDS SPRINGFIELD, IWNOIS RESULTS: SEPTEMBER 3, 200S (ROUND 13 OF 1 SI HEAT I (10 laps; 10 riders. top 2 transfer): I. J.R. Schnabel (Yam); 2. Willie McCoy (KTM); 3. Steve Murray (Hus); 4. Jethro Halbert (Hon); 5. Justin Voight (Hon); 6. Brandon Lee Cartwright (Hon); 7. Jimmy Wood (S02); 8. Eric Mischler (Hon); 9. Robert Lewis (Ret); 10. Brian Phillips (Rot). Time: 2 min., 8.835 sec. HEAT 2 (10 laps; 10 riders. top 2 transfer): I. My Henry Wiles (Hon); 2. Bryan Bigelow (Hon); 3. AJ. Eslick (Suz); 4. Kenny Yod., (Suz); S. R;ch K;ng (H· 0); 6. Shawn Raggio (Hon); 7. Kent Briggs (Hon); B. Jason Tyer (Hon); 9. Tom McGrane (Hon); 10. Jeremy DeRuyter (Hon). Time: 2 min., 11.460 sec. HEAT 3 (10 laps; 10 riders, top 2 transfer): I. joe Kopp (KTM); 2. Ke,,;n Varnes (Suz); 3. Chris Carr (KTM); 4. Cory McDermrn (KTM); S. Dominic Beaulac (Yam); 6. Sam Halbert (Hon); 7. Raun Wood (ATK); 8. Clint Erickson (Rot); 9. Rkk Winsett (Hon); 10. Mike Hinds (Yam). Time: No time, due to red flag. HEAT 4 (10 laps; 10 riders, top 2 trans-fer): I. Bryan Smith (Hon); 2. Josh Toungett (Hon); 3. Dan Gedeon (Hon); 4. Ion Stear (Yam); 5. Clayton Riggle (Hon); 6. Dan Stanley (Hon); 7. Charlie ltalia (Hon); 8. Kenny Mohler (Hon); 9. Robert Weiss (Hon); 10. Gary Rogers (Hon). Time: No time, due to red flag. HEAT 5 (10 laps; 10 riders, top 2 transfer): I. Rob Pearson (Yam); 2. Johnny Murphree (Hon); 3. Matt Burton (Yam); 4. Greg l)tsor (ATK); S. J.,ed Mees (Hon); 6. R;cky Marsh~1 (Suz); 7. Shawn Baer (Rot); 8. Scott Huff (Hon); 9. Mike Varnes (Yam); 10. Sheldon Wenz (Yam). Time: 2 min., I 1.788 sec. HEAT 6 (10 laps; 10 riders, top 2 transfer): I. Shaun Russell (Hon); 2. Tim Eades (Rot); 3. Kenny Coolbech (KTM); ... Paul Lynch (Yam); 5. Steve Beattie (ATK); 6. Will Sawhill (Hen); 7. Donnie Mullen (Rot); 8. Bryan Hazel (Hon); 9. Roy Miller (S02); 10. Wade Camlin (Hon). Time: 2 min., 10;442 sec. SEMI I (8 laps; 12 riden, winner transfers): I. Jethro Halbert (Hon); 2. Dominic Beaulac (Yam); 3. Steve Murray (Hus); 4. Sam Halbert (Hon); 5. Jason Tyer (Hon); 6. Kenny Yoder (Suz); 7. Rich King (H-D); 8. Eric Mischler (Hon); 9. Jimmy Wood (Suz); 10. Tom McGrane (Hon); II. Rick Winsett (Hon); 12. Mike Hinds (Yam). Time: I min.. 44.S II sec. SEMI 2 (8 laps; 12 riden, winner transfers): I. OWN RACE 27 Rob Pearson 5th In his first shoft track aboard his new Memphis Shades Yamaha ride, Pearson was impressive, winning his heat race and running near the front of the pack all night long. Pearson ran third for much of the race, only to slip up and fall prey to both Bryan Smith and Chris Carr within the last two laps. "I wanted it bad, and the bike was working so good," Pearson said. "I was running it up top there, and I could see J.R. up ahead of me doing the same thing. The thing was working awesome, and as the laps kept going, we were getting higher and higher. The wet stuff kept disappearing, and I didn't move down soon enough, and Bryan [Smith] and Chris [Carr] got by me, but I learned. I hate getting fifth, but it's a start. We haven't been in too many of these lately." 31 Kenny Coolbeth 8th After working his way from 12th place to inside the top fIVe in attempt to keep as many bikes between himself and Chris Carr as possible, Mid-America Harley-Davidson/Jones Powersports KTM's Coolbeth was forced to endure one too many restarts. "The first start, I was able to get off good:' Coolbeth said, "but those last fIVe laps, I think we broke a rocker arm. I don't even know where I ended up, but I felt good. If we didn't have all them restarts, I think that would have helped us out a lot." Coolbeth' missed oppoftunity didn't bode well for him in the context of the title chase. "It's not good:' Coolbeth said. "I definitely have to try to go out and win tomorrow." 17 Henry Wiles 7th After running fast in practice, Wiles struggled in his scratch qualifier, and it all went downhill from there. The Peoria IT winner did make the main, but he was never really in it. Instead of attacking the track, he struggled to hold off pursuers. "The bike wasn't running so well:' Wiles said. "We've never had so many problems with our bike, especially this motocross-framed bike. It's usually spot-on, and it's not hard to set up. We changed gearing all night, and we couldn't find the right gear. It didn't matter what we tried. It would go from popping on the rev-limiter real bad to just bogging. I was clutching it out of SEPTEMBER 14,2005 • CYCLE NEWS Chris Carr (KTM); 2. AJ. Eslick (Suz); 3. Cory McDermitt (Hon); 4. Raun Wood (ATK); S. Brandon Lee Wright (Hon); 6. Justin Voight (Hon); 7. Jeremy DeRuyter (Hon); 8. Shawn Raggio (Hon); 9. Oint Erickson (Rot); 10. Robert Lewis (Rot); II. Brian Phillips (Rot); 12. Kent Briggs (Hon). Time: I min, 44.302 sec. SEMI 3 (8 laps; 12 riden. winner transfers): I. Kenny Coolbeth (KTM); 2. Greg Tysor (ATK); 3. Jared Mees (Hon); 4. Paul lynch (Yam); 5. Bryan Hazel (Hon); 6. Dan Stanley (Hon); 7. Clayton R;gg1e (Hon); 8. Scott Huff (Hon); 9. Donnie Mullen (Rot); 10. Mike Varnes (Ya.m); II. Robert Weiss (Hon); /2. Gary Rogers (Hon). Time: I min., 43.058 sec. SEMI 4 (8 laps; 12 riders, winner transfers): Lion Stear (Yam); 2. Steve Beattie (ATK); 3. Matt Burton (Yam); 4. Dan Gedeon (Hon); S. Ricky Marshall (Suz); 6. Shawn Baer (Rot); 7. Will Sawhill (Hon); 8. Charlie ltalia (Han); 9. Sheldon Wenz (Hon); 10. Kenny Mohler (Han); II. Roy Miller (502); 12. Wade Camfin (Hon). Time: I min., 46.020 sec. GRAND NATIONAL (2S laps; 16 riders): I. J.R. Schnabel (Yam); 2. joe Kopp (KTM); 3. B')'30 Smith (Hon); 4. Chris Carr (Hon); 5. Rob Pearson (Yam); 6. Johnny Murphree (Hon); 7. Henry Wiles (Hon); 8. Kenny Coolbeth (KTM); 9. Jethro Halbert (Hon); 10. Shaun Russell (Hon); II. Tim Eades (Rot); 12. Willie McCoy (KTM); t 3. Bryan Bigelow (ATK); 14. Josh Toungett (Hon); 15. Ion Stear (Yam); 16. Kevin Varnes (Suz). Time: No time, due to restart. Margin of victory: .048 sec. AHA FORD QUALITY CHECKED CERTIFIED FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 13 of 15 rounds): l. Chris Carr (207n wins); 2. Kenny Coolbeth (188/2 wins); 3. Joe Kopp (176n wins); 4. J.,ed M... (161/2 wins); S. B')'30 Smith (13S); 6. R;ch K;ng (119/1 win); 7. (TIE) j.R. Schnabel (1IS/2 wins)/Jake Johnson (11511 win)! Johnny Murphree (115); 10. Shaun Russell (114); II. Henry Wiles (107/1 win); 12. Bryan Bigelow (93); 13. Willie McCoy (86); 14. Kevin Varnes (77); IS. Nick Cummings (68); 16. Geo Roeder II (4S); 17. Jay Springsteen (39); 18. TIm Eades (32); 19. Paul Lynch (31); 20. jethco H~be" (30). the comers. Something wasn't right. I was fortunate enough to get on the front row, but I struggled. It didn't seem like anything went right, but you're going to have those nights, and I'm not really that bummed. I did everything I could do. That's the first time that we've finished off the podium all year on our little bike." 18P Josh Toungett 14th Gutteridge Harley-Davidson/Reiman's Harley-Davidson's Toungett finished second to Bryan Smith in heat four to gain entry into his first career GNC main event. Toungett was one of two Illinois youngsters to do so at the Shoft Track. Toungett gave a good account of himself in the main, running as high as sixth early before his youthful inexperience cost him positions as the track wore out. "That was awesome:' Toungett said. "Those guys up in front of me were just hauling butt, and they schooled me pretty much. I was out there with Murphree and Wiles. It was an unbelievable feeling. I started out running the middle of the track. It seemed like a lot of guys were doing that for the first eight laps, and then everybody started moving down, but I didn't move down, and that's where Carr and a bunch of them got me. But you know, it's better to be out there and watch it like that and get the experience than to watch it on the sidelines." 59P Ion Stear 15th The 17-year-old Stear was so emotional after winning the final semi and making his first career GNC main-event staft that he could hardly speak to trackside announcer J.B. Norris. Stear was never a threat, pretty much running at the tail end of the field for the entire distance, but he brought it home on two wheels just the same. "It was my first Grand National, and I was so stoked to make the main that my mind wasn't even loo-percent focused on racing," Stear said. "It was just a fun experience. At first I tried to run up high and get around some people, and then I tried to run low, and that worked a little better. Then the first red flag came out, and as I was sitting in the hot pits, I just told myself, 'Run down low and wait for somebody to make a mistake.' Right after the restaft, Russell and Bigelow crashed again. Then, after that restart, I was going good, but I got a little bit high and got squirrelly, and Bryan [Bigelow) got by me. It was fun. It was a learning experience."

• Cover