VOL. 54 ISSUE 11 MARCH 21, 2017 P77
Racing's Bronson Bauman.
The long straights coupled
with the tight turns and "roller"
jump were taking its toll on the
field as bikes were being pushed
off the track all over. Just when
it appeared the top two positions
were locked, Vanderkooi was
gone and what had been a battle
over the last podium spot was a
war over second.
although he did continue, but
finished a lap down in 11th place.
Mullen was now back in third,
but the brake problems that had
plagued him all day once again
left him vulnerable and he was
swallowed up by a great race
between Smith, DPC Racing's
Henry Wiles, Harley-Davidson
Motor Company's Jake Johnson
and Rod Lake Racing/RKE/Hart
Smith had been solid all day
and, even though the TT races
were predicted to be his biggest
challenge this year, he didn't
let Mees get too big a point
advantage leading into the more
traditional oval races coming up.
"We were on pace with anybody
all day once we got racing," said
Smith. "The track was definitely
hard to pass on. I'm happy all
day to be on pace. It's good
when the 'mile guy' gets second
on a TT and to minimize the
point deficit."
Currently the most success-
ful TT rider in the series, Henry
Wiles came away with a close
third. "I didn't know what place
I was running. I just saw a guy
with a number one in front of
me. I was trying to pass him if
I could," said Wiles. "Once I
got behind him I was giving up
way too much down the front.
Not every lap, but I would catch
right up through the switchback.
I would be right there on him.
It seemed like I could go well
through the first corner but I
gave up a little too much."
The first Harley rider to cross
the finish line was Jake Johnson
in fourth. Johnson's path to the
finish was long, as he first had to
ride the last chance before us-
ing his provisional to get into the
semi under the new race format.
"It was a long day. I think I
took the hardest way possible to
Defending champ Bryan Smith (1)
made his Indian debut after riding a
Kawasaki last year. He did well, giving
Indian a 1-2 to start the season.
