09.17.2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Matt King (414) 343-7634
matt.king@harley-davidson.com
COOLBETH WINS ANOTHER AMA FLAT TRACK TWINS EVENT -
MAKES IT SIX FOR THE SEASON
Screamin' Eagle Riders Have Two Races Left in the AMA Flat Track Season
MONTICELLO, N.Y. (Sept. 17, 2007) - Kenny Coolbeth
earned his sixth victory of the season Saturday, increasing his points
lead in the AMA Flat Track Twins Ford Quality Checked Championship season.
Coolbeth earned the top position on the podium at
Monticello Raceway, giving him a 19-point lead with two races remaining
this season. The defending AMA Flat Track series champion said the track
surface didn't make anyone's job easy.
"This was the first time any of us had raced
there and it was not easy passing or moving out of the one-groove,"
Coolbeth said. "Fortunately my team had given me such a great bike
that I was able to pass on the straight-aways but it took a lot of work to
get around the other riders. You had to hit your marks every lap and if
you didn't, you had problems."
There were four red flags during the main event,
giving Coolbeth and the rest of the field plenty of chances to race for
the lead.
"The restarts were the difference for
me," Coolbeth said. "My mechanics Craig Lager, Ryan Cross, Brad
Bishop and Matt Hernigle gave me the best equipment on the track and that
took a lot of the pressure off me. A good start was critical and that's
what helped me get past Jared (Mees) and the rest of the field."
Wrecking Crew rider Mees finished second on his
Blue Springs Harley-Davidson. It was his ninth podium finish of the
season. Mees has three wins and is still hoping he can catch Coolbeth
before the season ends.
"Kenny got the best of me again," Mees
said. "We qualified well and we had the fast time in the heat race
and I got off to a good start. But then I slipped in the groove and Kenny
got past me on the restart. I've finished on the podium at every race
except for one and I'm very proud of my team for that.
"Five years ago if I had been on the podium
nine times out of 10 I would have clinched the championship already. But
Kenny has been the difference. He's riding so well and he's really stepped
up in the second half of the season. It's been a lot of fun racing against
him in this championship hunt this year."
Wrecking Crew riders Bryan Smith (Pat Moroney's
Harley-Davidson) and Joe Kopp (Team Latus Harley-Davidson) finished in
10th and 16th place, respectively.
With just two races left Coolbeth is focused on
maintaining his training routine.
"I think I'm in a good position going into the
final two events," Coolbeth said. "The only pressure I have
right now is the pressure I place upon myself. Jared is right there in the
standings and I know it's not over by a long shot so I have to just be
confident and consistent. It's nice knowing we have a weekend off so I can
train some more before the final two races.
"My team has the equipment to a near-flawless
condition so it's up to me to do my job and hold up my end of the
bargain."
The next AMA Flat Track Twins event will be held
Sept. 29 at USA Race Park in Tucson, Ariz.
Monticello, NY Screamin' Eagle Wrecking Crew
Race Summary
|
Main Event |
Finish Heat |
Finish |
Combined best time |
| Kenny Coolbeth |
1st |
1st |
2nd |
(0:25.110) |
| Jared Mees |
2nd |
1st |
4th |
(0:25.196) |
| Bryan Smith |
10th |
2nd |
10th |
(0:25.382) |
| Joe Kopp |
16th |
3rd |
14th |
(0:25.554) |
AMA Twins Top 10 Point Standings
(Following 10 of 12 events. Number of wins in parenthesis)
1. Kenny Coolbeth, Screamin' Eagle
Harley-Davidson (6) 206
2. Jared Mees, Blue Springs H-D/ Screamin' Eagle H-D (3) 187
3. Bryan Smith, Pat Moroney's/Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson 141
4. Jake Johnson, Suzuki 131
5. Chris Carr, Quality Pre-Owned Ford Harley-Davidson (1) 127
6. Shaun Russell, Bartels' Harley-Davidson 113
7. Joe Kopp, Team Latus/Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson 106
8. Glen Schnabel, American Suzuki 99
9. Jethro Halbert, Harley-Davidson of Fresno 61
10. Nick Cummings, Harley-Davidson 53
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.