Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Harley-Davidson/KK Motorcycle Supply-sponsored Steve Morehead, LA Racing's Rusty Rogers, A&R Racing's Will Davis and Atherton were quick to gobble up Scott, though, and blasted past on the first lap. The race was red-flagged shortly after the start of the second lap when Rogers pitched it too far sideways as he sped into turn one for the second time and parted company with his Harley. Rogers' machine struck Davis and caused a chain reaction that would also claim Atherton. "I was going real hard into one, and I think someone bumped me from behind," said Rogers, whose machine was too damaged to continue. "Rusty just lost it and his bike slammed into Will," said Atherton. "I had to lay it down so I wouldn't hit them." Atherton was up quickly and sped off to repair his machine before the restart, but Davis was transported to the hospital and treated for a broken wrist, ankle and collarbone. Morehead was the fastest off the line on the restart and led Moroney's Harley-Davidson-backed Jason Fletcher, Scott, Bartels' Harley's Mike Hale and Atherton through turn one. Hale quickly worked his way into second and began to hound Morehead for the lead, while Atherton also began to work towards the front. Atherton assumed third by the third lap and the three riders - Morehead, Hale and Atherton - proceeded to put on a perfect drafting display for the next few laps. Atherton tired of such games with four laps to go and took control of the lead for good. Morehead also managed to squeak free of Hale, who finished . third, some five bike lengths behind. Atherton and Morehead transferred directly to the main, but Hale, along with the rest of the field, would have to try again in a semi. "We were double-drafting each other down die back straight, it was a blast," said Atherton. "Well, at least now I'm not scared of reinjuring my arm. I've crashed twice so far and it hasn't broken." Atherton suffered a broken arm in a road race practice session in July. Poovey led the way at the start of the second heat and was joined by three-time Grand National Champion Jay Springsteen at the front of the pack. While the two veterans repeatedly traded the lead, Brian Atherton and Canadian Chris Evans battled over third. Poovey held the upper hand at the race's end, and led Springsteen across the finish line and into the main. Though Atherton got the better of Evans for third, he would have to ride a semI. "Jay and I were having a great time, but I knew exactly where I wanted to be at the end," said Poovey. "I shut off on the front straight at the start of the last lap because I wanted to follow him and get him out of four." The third heat race saw a four-way scrap for the lead between Parker, Gardner Racing's Ronnie Jones, M&M Racing's Dan Ingram and Texas Harley-Davidson-backed Larry Pegram. Each of the four riders took their turn at the front of the pack, but it was Jones who put his fist down and assumed the lead for good. "We were passing back and forth and I figured that I'd rather be in front and get drafted back to second at the line than in second and get drafted back to third," said Jones. Jones led Parker past the white flag and waited for a pass that never came. "Ronnie got through the turns Scott Parker (1) and Ronnie Jones (16) led Kevin Atherton (23), Ricky Graham (3) and Larry Pegram (72) into turn one. Chris Carr (20) beat two-time Grand National Champion Ricky Graham (3) in the five-lap $10,000 Camel Challenge. better than me," said Parker. "I couldn't get close enough to draft him." Jones crossed the finish line comfortably ahead of Parker, while Pegram finished third and out of luck. "This is the best I've felt all year, it was strange to be out front again," said Jones, who has struggled throughout the season to adapt to his new machine. The fourth and final heat saw Carr and Graham establish an immediate lead over Mike's Harley-Davidson backed-George Roeder II and Donahue Harley-Davidson's Davey Durelle. Together, Carr and Graham outdistanced the field and pleased the crowd with repeated draft passes before Carr dropped the hammer and inched away with the win in what would be the fastest heat of the night. "Ricky looked back and waved after he passed me," said Carr to the crowd immediately after the race. "That made me mad and I rode harder." "I was just having fun," said Graham. "Parker, Springsteen and I always used to play around and do stuff like that. It's just fun, but I guess that's why they call him 'Crybaby' Carr." Graham and Carr spoke soon afterwards, and no feelings were left hurt. "I thought he meant it in an insulting way," said Carr. "But now I know that he didn't. There's no hard feelings." SeD:1is Brenny's Cycles-sponsored Davey Camlin led the way off the line in the first eight-lap semi, but was passed in turn one by Durelle. Camlin glued himself to Durelle's rear wheel, but was never able to find the edge needed to sneak past. Steelmaster's Don Estep and Herndon argued over third, and it was Herndon who prevailed at the checkered flag. Durelle, Camlin and Herndon headed for the main, while the rest were sent packing. Southeast Harley-Davidson's Chance Darling grabbed the holeshot in the second semi, but enjoyed the lead for only a moment as Fletcher crashed in the first turn and brought out the red flag. Fletcher escaped serious injury, but opted to sit out the rest of the evening. "My steel shoe got bent real bad and it was smashing my foot," said Fletcher. "It swelled up pretty bad, but I'm okay." Darling again led the way at the restart, but was gobbled up by Winchester Harley's Rodney Farris, Roeder, Ingram and Pegram on the back straight. Those four riders each took turns leading the way, but at the finish it was Pegram who performed the final draft pass for the win. Ingram held off Roeder for second, while Farris finished a painfully close fourth and was out of the show. Bloomington Honda's Tim Mertens jumped into the lead in the third semi, and came under the immediate attack of Hale and Garvis Honda-backed Rich King. Hale muscled his way past Mertens on the second lap and began to establish an early lead. King battled with Mertens for five laps before taking control of second and setti!lg out after Hale. King managed to close to Hale's rear fender by the finish, but was never able to mount a serious challenge for the win. Hale led King and Mertens into the feature, and the rest would spend the remainder of the evening spectating. Camel Challenge At the start of the five-lap Camel Challenge, Carr found the best traction at the flash of the green light but his rear end got squirrely and slammed into Parker as they powered towards turn one. Graham was next to clip Parker, and the four-time Grand National Champion backed off the throttle and rounded turn four in last place. "It got a little wild there," said Parker. "I didn't want to lock handlebars with anyone, so I backed off." 7

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