FLAT TRACK
2017 AMERICAN FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 8 / JUNE 3, 2017
THE RED MILE / LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY
P78
opted to start on the second
row. "I decided to take outside
second row for starting posi-
tion, to get the groove quicker
and it ended up paying off. I
got a good start," said Baker.
"I came around fourth or fifth,
but I drafted into third. I passed
Chad Cose going into three on
the first lap. I soon lost all the
good time that I made on the
start. I gave third place away
to Bryan on the second lap. I
slipped off the groove going into
three on the next lap and Bryan
and Chad got back by me. I got
back by Chad and then I ran
down Bryan."
With three laps to go, Baker
took over third, knocking his
teammate off the podium for the
first time in 2017. "It was good to
bring it home in third. I felt like
I ran a smart race," said Baker.
While the leaders had most of
the attention, Smith and Baker's
battle for third was joined by
Brandon Robinson (Harley-
Davidson Motor Company/
Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
XG750R) and Briar Bauman (Za-
notti Racing/Rod Lake Racing
Kawasaki), making it four brands
in the top six.
"We matched pace with Jared
and Sammy, but the problem
was we were a half straightaway
behind," said Smith. "There
were a couple times that I made
up just a bike length or two.
When you would try to go a
little bit harder you would lose it
all. I screwed up, then me and
Brad got racing and that was it. I
knew I was racing for third."
Instead of using his start-
ing pick for a front row spot
that he had qualified for, Baker
