STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY
LARRY LAWRENCE
I
n 1948 there was an AMA
National held at the Lake-
wood Park Mile in Atlanta, in
which Hall of Famers Bobby
Hill and Billy Huber crossed
the line side by side. AMA of-
ficials quickly huddled to com-
pare notes to try to determine
who came out on top. Heads
shook and finally the judges
declared the race a dead heat.
When Fair President Mike
Benson announced that both
riders would receive first-place
money, the crowd roared in
approval. It was the only time in
history that two winners were
declared for an AMA National.
Fast forward 67 years to
Saturday night in the return of
Briefly...
Bryan Smith's win at Du Quoin
marked a milestone. It was his 20th-
career AMA Pro Grand National vic-
tory. This year so far he's moved up
from 22nd to 15th on the all-time wins
list. A victory at Indy would tie Smith
with Joe Kopp for 14th on the list.
This year's race at Du Quoin marked
the 26th AMA Pro Grand National at
the circuit. The first Grand National at
Du Quoin was won by the great Hall
of Famer Everett Brashear in 1955.
This was the first race at the track
since 2005 when Chris Carr won.
Willie McCoy, Bryan Smith, Jared
Mees and Kenny Coolbeth Jr. were
riders who made the main this year
and also raced in the 2005 event.
VOL. 52 ISSUE 27 JULY 7, 2015 P105
continued on next page
(Left to right)
Kenny Coolbeth
Jr., Bryan Smith
and Jared Mees
top the podium
at the Magic
Mile in Du
Quion, Illinois.
IN DU QUOIN
ON THE MAGIC MILE FOR BRYAN
MEES AND KENNY COOLBETH JR.
