VOL. 50 ISSUE 35 SEPTEMBER 4, 2013
IELD SWEEP
ROBINSON WINS DOUBLEHEADER,
CHAMPIONSHIP HEATS UP
JD Beach (95), Kenny
Coobeth (2), Jared Mees
(1), Brandon Robinson (44),
Brad Baker (12) and the rest
of the Grand National pack
get racy early in Saturday's
first of two Springfield Miles.
AMA Grand National rounds as
the championship tightened up
considerably in Springfield. The
top five riders – Brad Baker,
Smith, Robinson, Henry Wiles
and Jared Mees – all now have a
real shot at winning the coveted
Grand National number-one
plate.
Robinson was practically in
shock after turning in the perfect
weekend, not only winning both
mains, but also scoring valuable
wins in the points-paying Dash
for Cash races.
"I can't even put it into words
right now," said an ecstatic Robinson. "It's been an unbelievable
P61
Briefly...
Former AMA Grand National competitor Tim Mertens was injured in
a freak accident aboard a scooter
while inspecting the track on Saturday. Reports from the family indicate that Mertens suffered a brain
injury in the accident and was in
serious condition. He also suffered
broken ribs in the incident.
Veteran racer Ronnie Jones, 52,
came out of semi-retirement to
race Springfield this weekend and
he made the main on Sunday. "I
figured if I was going to come out
here I wanted to make the main,
but I didn't have any expectations,"
Jones said. "Instinct or habit or
something takes over when you're
out there and you want to get to the
front. Luckily Tim and Aaron and
Jordan Lindfors offered me a Harley that was capable of putting me
in the main event. I'm glad to be in
there and the more I ride the less
rusty I feel." Jones dropped out of
Sunday's race early with what appeared to be mechanical problems
with his machine.
Defending AMA Grand National
Champion Jared Mees married his
longtime girlfriend and fellow racer
Nichole Cheza during opening
ceremonies on Sunday. One funny moment during the ceremony
came during the vows when Mees
was asked by AMA announcer
Scottie Deubler if he promised to
love her in good times and in bad,
in sickness and in health. Nichole
reached over to the mic and said
"Even if I beat you today?" bringing
out a big cheer from the crowd.
Jethro Halbert and Evan Baer
continued on next page
