Cycle News

VOL. 50 ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 17, 2013 P207 At the checkered flag he came up one bike-length short of history. Parker didn't score his 41st victory at Hagerstown two weeks later either, where a young Larry Pegram scored his first Grand National victory. Nor did Parker win at Oklahoma City, or the Peoria TT or at Rapid City, South Dakota. Parker remained stuck on 40 wins for two-and-a-half months, the longest losing streak for Parker in three years. But then on August 24 the Camel Pro Series moved to the legendary Indiana State Fairgrounds mile oval, better known as the Indy Mile. On a steamy Saturday night at the fairgrounds, 8000 enthusiastic fans watched Parker chase down early leader Dave Durelle and go on to a 2.36-second victory. Leading up to the main the tension was really starting to show and Parker and his tuner Bill Werner continued to fidget with the factory Harley even though Parker had won his heat. "We think we can go even faster," claimed Parker. "I want this win bad." As the riders were introduced by emcee Dave Despain, it was apparent from the crowd's response that they wanted to see Parker break the all-time win record. Fast qualifier Durelle motored his way into the lead early. Terry Poovey was right on the Minnesota rider's rear wheel. Parker came out in third, but was already 10 bikelengths back from the leading duo. Poovey took the lead briefly on lap two, but Durelle slipped underneath him to regain the top position on the second lap. Parker flashed by in third followed by Ronnie Jones. Durelle started stretching out his lead on the next lap and by lap five Durelle was in firm command of a Grand National race for the first time in his eight-year career. By the 10th lap Durelle was still solidly out front and was starting to get excited. "I never looked around to see were the pack was," said Durelle. "As the race went on I couldn't believe no one had passed me. Being out front all alone I think sort of broke my concentration. I started messing up on a few turns and knew that someone was closing on me." That someone was Parker. The Harley pilot was starting to perform his Indy Mile magic and pulled clear of the battle for second and closed on Durelle. "I was just trying to be steady and not try to make up the gap all at once," Parker said later. On lap 11 a roar came up from the crowd, Parker had just taken over first place. He now had only to hold off Durelle for 14 more miles to become a legend in his own time. Durelle was not quite ready to give up the fight. On lap 16 he temporarily forged ahead of the defending champ. Parker quickly regained the lead and began to pull away from Durelle. On the final lap the Indy crowd stood to its feet knowing that history was being made. They cheered Parker all the way home to the checkered flag. "That last lap I was really being cautious," said Parker. "I didn't want to make any dumb mistakes." A large crowd gathered on the front straight to greet Parker after the cool-down lap. Rick Toldo, who helped Parker get his start in racing, was honored by riding with Parker on his victory lap. Parker then threw his helmet, gloves and jacket into the crowd. Hundreds of well wishers surrounded the "King of the Miles." It was a storybook way to break the record. "I want to thank Jay Springsteen who encouraged me all the way," said an appreciative Parker. Springsteen joined Parker on the winner's podium in a great showing of sportsmanship. "I know exactly what he feels like," said Springer. "I had the same feeling about 10 years ago when I passed Kenny Roberts in National wins." Parker would go on to extend his record to 94-career Grand National victories. That stands alongside records by Mat Mladin in Superbike and Jeremy McGrath in Supercross that will likely never be broken. CN Subscribe to nearly 50 years of Cycle News Archive issues: www.CycleNews.com/Archives

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