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08.22.2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Matt King (414) 343-7634
matt.king@harley-davidson.com
WRECKING CREW RIDERS HEAD BACK TO RACE TRACK AFTER
MONTH-LONG BREAK
Screamin' Eagle Riders Ready for I-96 Speedway Twins Event
MILWAUKEE (Aug. 22, 2007) - With just five races
remaining in the AMA Ford Quality Checked Twins season, the Screamin'
Eagle Wrecking Crew riders know that every point counts.
They also know that the championship most likely
won't be claimed until the season finale in Las Vegas on Oct. 6 - the
points chase are just too close.
Harley-Davidson's factory rider and defending Twins
series champion Kenny Coolbeth has the points lead - but not by much. He
currently holds a two-point lead over his Wrecking Crew teammate Jared
Mees.
While Saturday's event at I-96 Speedway in Lake
Odessa, Mich., is Mees' home track, Coolbeth has won the event the last
two years. Mees has earned three victories this season on his Blue Springs
Harley-Davidson and Coolbeth has collected four trophies so far this
season.
"We're going to my hometown track and that's
always a good thing," Mees - a Clio, Mich., resident - said.
"We've had some success there in the past and it's always nice to
race at a track where you know you will get a lot of support from friends.
But I'm not the only one who has been there and done well. Coolbeth has
won two in a row there and I know he's going to be a strong competitor
again this season."
While Coolbeth has won at I-96 Speedway before, he
knows that doesn't guarantee anything this time around.
"It's great knowing we have the team that is
capable of winning at I-96 because it gives us confidence going into the
race," Coolbeth said. "The team has come together so well this
season and it seems that we've \ improved on so many levels over last
year. But the competition seems to have gotten better too. Jared and his
team have been racing so well and we have to make sure and do everything
we can to keep pace in the championship chase."
Wrecking Crew riders Bryan Smith (Pat Moroney's
Harley-Davidson) and Joe Kopp (Team Latus Harley-Davidson) are in fourth
and fifth place, respectively, and are looking for their first wins of the
year.
Smith, a Flint, Mich., resident has been on the
podium three times en route to fourth place. Kopp, the 2000 AMA Grand
National champion, has been on the podium once.
While it might seem like the month-long break
between events could help riders and team prepare for the last five
events, Mees said he has been anxious to get back to the track since they
left Hagerstown, Md., four weeks ago.
"I prefer racing on every weekend and I think
the rest of the guys feel the same way," Mees said. "The good
thing is that we have all had an equally long break and now there isn't
any one rider who has momentum going into the last five events.
"No one is coming off a win last weekend and
maybe that will be a good thing. Nothing is better than going into a race
at your hometown track with your friends behind you as you are in the
middle of a championship hunt."
AMA Twins Top 10 Point Standings
(Following 7 of 12 events. Number of wins in parenthesis)
1. Kenny Coolbeth, Screamin' Eagle
Harley-Davidson (4) 141
2. Jared Mees, Blue Springs H-D/ Screamin' Eagle H-D (3) 139
3. Jake Johnson, Suzuki 102
4. Bryan Smith, Pat Moroney's/Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson 101
5. Joe Kopp, Team Latus/Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson 75
6. Chris Carr, Quality Pre-Owned Ford Harley-Davidson 74
7. Shaun Russell, Bartels' Harley-Davidson 73
8. Glen Schnabel, American Suzuki 70
9. Johnny Murphree, Coziahr Harley-Davidson 50
10. Kevin Varnes, Gutterridge Harley-Davidson 36
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.
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