FLAT TRACK
2017 AMERICAN FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 17 / SEPTEMBER 23, 2017
TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY / FORT WORTH, TEXAS
P66
Sixteen years ago AMA Pro Racing
brought Grand National racing to
the Texas Motor Speedway, but
that race was rained out just as the
national was coming out for the
start. Tornado watches and severe
thunderstorms kept the crowd
down in 2001, but this year's race
had a much better turnout in the
large grandstand.
During the down time since the last
race in Pennsylvania, Indian Mo-
torcycle/Allstate Insurance's Brad
Baker suffered a severely broken
jaw in a bicycle training accident.
While Baker recovers, the team
opted to have Larry Pegram, who
is the NBCSN American Flat Track
color commentator on the weekly
T V shows, ride Baker's Indian.
Pegram's last Grand National race
was in 2010, but the three-time
national winner was up to the task
and put his Indian Scout FTR750
into a 10th place finish in the Texas
race.
This was Jeffrey Carver's first win
on a twin, but it was his second
Grand National victory, having won
the Castle Rock TT in 2013. The
Goodwin Racing XR750 was not
new to Carver, as he had used the
bike at the X-Games, where he was
a solid third when a flat tire on the
Briefly...
(Left) Carver gave
Harley-Davidson a
rare win this year, but
it was a private H-D.
(Right) Bryan Smith
(1) and Johnny Lewis
(10) battle for the last
spot on the podium.
Lewis got it.
glad I took the gamble and rolled the
dice. This is my first Twins win. I'm
so stoked. On the twins this year, I'm
finally getting comfortable. I'm eager
to be back up there and prove that I
belong up front."
Carver led the 18-rider, 25-lap AFT
Twins presented by Vance & Hines
field into the first turn, but he had the
Carver teamed up with Goodwin
Racing for the first time in AFT Twins
competition on their Harley-Davidson
XR750. "I've ridden Harleys off and
on a few years ago," said Carver.
"We thought the last two races of the
year would be a good place to bring
it out. With this shape of track, I really
thought it had what it took. I'm really
