FLAT TRACK
AMA GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 12/AUGUST 17, 2014
PEORIA RACE PARK/PEORIA, ILLINOIS
P112
-- those which merely cost a rider
a position or two as opposed to a
hospital visit.
That reality also served to
underline just how remarkable
Wiles' consistent excellence has
been on the big stage that is
'Thunder Valley's' natural amphi-
theater.
If Wiles had a big target on his
back coming into the round, it
only increased in size on Sunday
because his back is pretty much
the only thing his would-be chal-
lengers would see all day long.
Apparently unburdened by the
mounting pressure of winning ten
in a row, Wiles put his Don's Ka-
wasaki KX450F on top of prac-
tice, qualifying, and his heat.
Despite clicking off the fast-
est times of the day's heat races,
he was forced to start from third
in the Dash-for-Cash due to the
fact that his heat had been hit
with one of the day's numerous
red flags. Undeterred, Wiles still
managed to storm into the lead
in the race's opening corner and
power off to the checkered flag.
THE BATTLE
While it would be a little strong to