FLAT TRACK
AMERICAN FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 16 / SEPTEMBER 9, 2017
WILLIAMS GROVE SPEEDWAY / MECHANICSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA
P84
Jared Mees has given Indian their
first Grand National Championship
since the points-based series was
established in 1954. "I've never
clinched the championship with a
couple races to go. I always had to
go into the last race pumped up and
nervous," said Mees. "To win it in this
fashion, by dominating all day, it was
good. It was phenomenal. I wanted
to be the guy on the Indian, the first
to do it. I wanted to be the guy to do
everything on the Indian first. I wanted
to dominate, and we did."
Mees' big win was not the first for
Indian at Williams Grove however, as
another Michigan rider, one of the
original Indian Wrecking Crew, Ernie
Beckman won the National in 1951,
'52 and '53. He was second in 1954,
the last national there until 1994
when Larry Pegram (Honda) won
over Aaron Hill and a rookie by the
name of Kenny Coolbeth.
Johnny Lewis made the last-minute
decision to leave Florida with hur-
ricane Irma headed his way. Since
he was leaving he made a couple
of calls and was able to get a John
Long's Kawasaki to ride. In his semi,
Lewis looked to be easily in the
National when his chain came off
ending his day.
Originally scheduled as a night
race, promoter AFT Events opted
to change to a day race as sprint
car track Port Royal had a big race
running Saturday night. They were
rewarded with a massive crowd of
spectators, but weather conditions
Briefly...
Mees dominated the race pretty much like he has the 2017 championship.
