Cycle News

AMA GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP VOL. 51 ISSUE 24 JUNE 17, 2014 P83 ner -- there were guys bumping and banging and I had nowhere to go. I was stuck on the outside and dropped back to like sixth or seventh. I was able to pick my way through. "We're in the hunt - I just have to quit finishing second to [Coolbeth]. I'm feeling good. The last couple years I was off, but I feel like I'm back. Unfortu- nately, Kenny is too. It's going Briefly... puts the power to the ground. So we brought out old reliable." Points leader Coolbeth was slated for surgery to repair the broken left thumb that he suffered in a MX train- ing accident just prior to Springfield. However, that proved unnecessary - as evidenced by his lopsided victory in Iowa. "I just tried to stay off it from Springfield to here," Coolbeth said. "I've just been keeping it wrapped. I went back to the doctor and every- thing is in place as of right now, so I'm not going to have the surgery. It's not giving me any issues - not out on the track. Tonight it'll be a little sore, but it's nothing I can't overcome." Coolbeth now owns two AMA Grand National victories at Knoxville Race- way, the most of any rider in its short, three-race history. More impressive- ly, the win marked the 31st GNC race victory of his career, moving him into a tie with Will Davis for seventh all- time. Two more and he'll tie the leg- endary Kenny Roberts. It was also his 22nd half-mile victory, moving him out of a tie with Jay Springsteen and into sole possession of fourth on the all-time order. There were major weather con- cerns heading into Knoxville, with the forecast calling for thunderstorms and high winds on race day. Howev- er, the rain never turned up and the wind died down by the afternoon, resulting in picture perfect condi- tions. The track conditions weren't exactly ideal, however, as some flat track competitors noted the effects of Saturday night's World of Outlaws Shootout at the Sprint Car Mecca. JOHNSON RUNS OFF AND HIDES Hot Rod Harley-David- son's Kyle Johnson took the AMA Pro Singles vic- tory at Knoxville Raceway and did so in style. Johnson eased off the line at the start and then slashed his way forward. He arrived at the front of the pack by lap four of 16 and simply walked away from there. By the contest's conclusion, Johnson had assembled a 6.271-margin of victory. After the race he said, "Actually, I didn't get off to a great start - I was fourth or fifth - but I got some good runs. The bike was working great and I just worked my way to the front. It was kind of nice to have some breath- ing room and know I didn't have to ride as hard as I could." Runner-up Kolby Carlile was prob- ably just as satisfied with his second. The K.C. Cycle Helmet World rider got a strong start from his ninth-place starting slot and methodically worked his way forward to secure a first-ca- reer AMA Pro Singles podium result. Carlile took the checkered flag just .047 of a second ahead of the final podium finisher, TJ Burnett Farms' Davis Fisher. "Pulling out there I was hoping for a top-five at best," Carlile said. "But as soon as I got into fifth at the start, it was just working great." (From left to right) Davis Fisher, Kyle Johnson and Kolby Carlile celebrate on the Pro Sport podium. low me. But it's good for me to feel good on the bike considering how bad I broke this arm and how little training I've been able to do because of it. To come here and feel like I was probably the fastest guy… I just didn't have the equipment under me this weekend. I just have to thank Harley- Davidson and all the guys behind me and come back stronger at Lima." Brad Baker is having a trying season in his defense of the Grand National Championship. continued on next page

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