Contact:
Matt King (414) 343-7634
matt.king@harley-davidson.com
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COOLBETH
STARTS CHAMPIONSHIP DEFENSE WITH SEASON OPENING VICTORY AT
SPRINGFIELD
MILE
Results
Made Official Tuesday Afternoon
SPRINGFIELD
,
Ill.
(May 29, 2007) – Kenny Coolbeth picked up right where he left off last
season. The
Warren
,
Conn.
, native started defending his 2006 AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track
championship the best way possible – with a win.
Coolbeth took the checkered flag Sunday at the AMA GNC Twins
season opener at the Springfield Mile. He didn't win by a small margin,
either. He had nearly an entire straightaway to himself.
The results, however, were not made official until Tuesday
afternoon because of a discrepancy in the bike's weight. Coolbeth's
Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson entry did not pass the weigh-in on site
and another weigh-in took place at AMA headquarters in
Columbus
,
Ohio
. A separate measurement was also done by Holtgreven Scale and
Electronics Corporation of
Findlay
,
Ohio
, an accredited lab.
AMA officials declared the bike legal Tuesday following the
additional weigh-ins.
"Kenny ran an incredible race and won by a large
margin," Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso said. "We
were surprised the bike didn't pass inspection on site. The bike was
within the rules when we weighed it in
Milwaukee
prior to the race. We just had to be patient and wait for the official
word from AMA and we're pleased Kenny gets to keep the victory. He ran a
great race and deserved the win."
Coolbeth, the Screamin' Eagle factory rider, also finished first
in his heat before taking the checkered flag for his 10th career AMA
victory.
"By the fifth lap I felt real comfortable and was running my
own race," Coolbeth said. "I never even looked back. I was
wide open on the gas and thought it was the smoothest run around the
Springfield Mile I've ever had."
Coolbeth said he was not worried about the final results that came
from AMA officials.
"I knew the bike was legal and I wasn't concerned,"
Coolbeth said. "My Screamin' Eagle team is great and the mechanic
who worries about that aspect does a great job and pays attention to
every detail when building a machine for me to ride. We adhere to all
the specs."
Wrecking Crew riders Jared Mees, Bryan Smith and Joe Kopp joined
Coolbeth in the top five at the first of 13 scheduled events for the GNC
Twins this season.
Mees rode his Blue Springs Harley-Davidson into third place, his
fifth career podium finish. Smith took fourth place on his Moroney's
Harley-Davidson and the newest member of the team, Kopp, took fifth
place on his Team Latus Harley-Davidson.
The 25-lap main event was delayed because of rain for several
hours – adding to the anxiety of the season opening race.
"The start of the race was delayed and then we had to wait
two days to get the final results," Paluso said. "It was quite
an experience for the entire Screamin' Eagle team. We're pleased with
the way the team performed throughout the entire weekend but I am sure
they are all anxious to get to the next race."
The next AMA GNC Twins event will be held at Volunteer Speedway in
Bulls Gap,
Tenn.
, on June 2.
In addition to the direct team sponsorship, Harley-Davidson will
also provide support through professional flat track contingency and the
Rider Support Verification Program (RSVP). Under the Screamin’ Eagle
banner the support will total more than $140,000 throughout the 2007
season. This includes a contingency program for qualified
Harley-Davidson XR750 riders on the AMA Flat Track series.
Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts are inspired by and built in
the spirit of the raw adrenaline and power of motorcycle racing.
Screamin’ Eagle Pro parts are specifically designed for race-use
applications, while Screamin’ Eagle parts offer street-use performance
options for the Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner. Visit
www.harley-davidson.com for more information.
The Screamin' Eagle Flat Track team is sponsored by Matco Tools.