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Castle Rock set to host AMA Grand National doubleheader
August 07, 2007
AMA Racing News Release
Castle Rock is a classic name in AMA Grand National racing. The
Washington state circuit will host a doubleheader round of the AMA Ford
Quality Checked Flat Track Championship, with the TT Steeplechase race on
Friday Aug. 10, and the Short Track on Saturday, Aug. 11 at Castle Rock
Race Park.
Jake Johnson, of Franklinville, N.J., is the defending winner of the
Castle Rock TT. Last year Johnson beat out Chris Carr to earn the victory
in the return to Castle Rock en route to winning the inaugural AMA Grand
National Singles Championship. It was the first time the AMA Grand
Nationals had visited the track in 12 years.
“Chris was on me the entire race last year,” Johnson said. “I
didn’t want to look back. I just tried to stay smooth. With a few laps
to go I took a quick peek over my shoulder and saw I had a bit of a lead
so I just chilled out and made sure I kept it on two wheels to the
checkered flag.”
This year Johnson hopes to repeat aboard his factory Suzuki. He leads
the series by 14 points coming into the Castle Rock doubleheader having
won the season opener at Daytona in March and the Springfield (Ill.) TT
over Memorial Day weekend.
Hosting back-to-back rounds of the Grand National Singles this weekend
means that Castle Rock will play a pivotal roll in the championship.
Seven-time AMA Grand National Champion Chris Carr is looking to salvage
his season with a good performance this weekend allowing him a shot at the
Singles title. Carr is a two-time Castle Rock TT winner and one of only
two former winners in the field. He will be a major threat on his Quality
Checked Certified Pre-Owned Ford-backed machines.
Ken Coolbeth, of Warren, Conn., and Mike Rush, of Gilroy, Calif., enter
the doubleheader ranked second and third in the points. Both riders hope
to narrow the gap on Johnson in the series points chase Friday night.
Other riders to watch in the TT include JR Schnabel, who was fifth last
year, Jared Mees, who scored a podium in last year’s race, Henry Wiles,
always a threat on the shorter tracks and local favorite Joe Kopp, from
Mica, Washington.
Castle Rock is also a track of local specialists. Last year a slew of
local riders made the main in the TT national with Sam Halbert, from
Graham, Wash., scoring seventh.
Last year's short track saw San Mateo, California’s Johnny
Murphree break through the pack to take the win. Murphree will miss this
year’s race with an injury. That means a new winner will be crowned at
the short track this year.
Last year Murphree used the low line to get the win. It will be
interesting to see if any rider can make another line work this time
around. Shaun Russell was runner-up in the short track last year. He
shadowed his friend Murphree for the entire race hoping for a mistake that
never came.
In addition to the Grand National Singles doubleheader, fans at Castle
Rock will also get to see Pro Sport races and a Vintage Twins race each
night.
The race will be broadcast on MavTV. Visit www.mavtv.com
for additional information.
The Mt. St. Helens Motorcycle Club will be hosting the Castle Rock
National. For more information check out the website www.mshmc.org
or call 360-274-8700.
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