SCREAMIN' EAGLE WRECKING CREW RIDERS AIMING FOR MORE PODIUM APPEARANCES AS AMA SERIES RETURNS TO JOLIET

AMA GNC Twins Series Makes Its Way Back to Route 66 Raceway

 

MILWAUKEE (June 20, 2007) – Kenny Coolbeth has already won a race this AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track GNC Twins season. The defending AMA GNC champion is second in the point standings but knows there is still room for improvement.

"I need to work on my starts and getting off the line quicker," Coolbeth said. "The team has done a great job of preparing the bike and I think there are a few small things that I can do that will make a big difference."

Coolbeth and the rest of the AMA racers will be at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., this Saturday for the third round of the 2007 schedule.

"It's the first time we've been at Route 66 Raceway since 2005 and I'm looking forward to getting back there," Coolbeth said. "It's a great facility and it should be a fast race."

While Coolbeth snagged the victory at the season opener at the Springfield (Ill.) Mile, Wrecking Crew teammate Jared Mees is the point leader coming off his victory at Bulls Gap, Tenn., two weeks ago. It's the first time the 21-year-old rider of the Blue Springs Harley-Davidson has led the point standings.

"It's pretty exciting being the points leader but we can't even look at the standings right now because there is too much racing left in the season," Mees said. "I have two champions in Kenny Coolbeth and Chris Carr (third place) right behind me and I know it's going to be a tough battle all year with those guys."

Wrecking Crew rider Bryan Smith, 23, wants to ride his Pat Moroney's Harley-Davidson out of his sixth place position and back onto the podium. Smith has not been on the podium since his Springfield Mile win last fall.

"I have a great team and I know we have what it takes to get back on the podium," Smith said. "I'm looking forward to finishing the races better and getting back into the top three so we can move this Moroney's team back up the point standings."

The final member of the Screamin' Eagle Wrecking Crew, Joe Kopp, has won some races (11) and even has a championship to his name (2000 Grand National champion). But he's currently in eighth place and is aiming to change that this weekend.

"I had a flat tire in the final four laps of the last event and I can't even remember the last time that happened," Kopp said. "I went from fifth place to 14th place in that race and that hurt us. I've been to Route 66 but have not won that race and I think we have the team to change that this weekend. I'm looking forward to getting off the line quickly and finishing the same way."

All the action of this weekend's race and all AMA GNC Twins events can be seen via web cast provided by Live I Sports (www.liveisports.com).

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.