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Contact: Leslie Prevish (414) 343-7272 leslie.prevish@harley-davidson.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SCREAMIN' EAGLE WRECKING CREW SWEEPS THE TOP FOUR POSITIONS AT HISTORIC SPRINGFIELD MILE Bryan Smith Takes First Victory of the Season SPRINGFIELD (Sept. 4, 2006) – Bryan Smith led the Screamin' Eagle Wrecking Crew Sunday with his first victory of the 2006 AMA Flat Track season. Smith rode his Pat Moroney's Harley-Davidson entry to the win at the historic Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. "This is a dream come true and it probably won't sink in for a few days," Smith said. "I first came to the Springfield Mile when I was about six years old. I watched Scott Parker running around and I knew right then that I wanted to win this event." It was the third podium finish for Smith, who said the win was long overdue. "The team has done some great things this season, we just have not had any breaks," Smith said. "The team has worked so well together and that's what makes the win so special. They worked all year for this." recking Crew teammate and Screamin' Eagle factory rider Kenny Coolbeth finished third. The podium finish for Coolbeth, however, did more than give him a chance to stand on the box. The third-place finish put him in first place of the championship standings with just one race left on the schedule. "I went in there thinking I had to win this race to give myself a chance at going for the championship title at the season finale," Coolbeth said. "But Carr finished in 17th and that really made a difference in the points. Chris Carr is one of the best riders out there and he is one of the most competitive people out there, so I know he'll be tough in Columbus (Ohio, last race of the season). I'm already anxious for that race." As if that wasn't enough, the entire Screamin' Eagle Wrecking Crew finished in the top four positions. Veteran rider Rich King was second, followed by Coolbeth and Jared Mees in third and fourth, respectively. "The Springfield Mile one of the most historic and prestigious events and for the Wrecking Crew to finish in the top four positions is incredible," Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso said. "This is the second consecutive race that the team has swept the podium, but to do that at Springfield is one for the record books. The fact that Bryan earned his first win of the season and Kenny took over the top spot in the standings is just going to make the season finale even more exciting." Coolbeth sits in the No. 1 position of the point standings, bumping Chris Carr and the Quality Pre-Owned Ford Harley-Davidson out of the top spot. Coolbeth has 135 points while Mees and the Texter Harley-Davidson team are second with 126 points. Carr is third with 125 points. Smith and the Pat Moroney's Harley-Davidson team are fourth with 119 points while King is fifth with 110 points. "The last race is going to be really exciting because there are three riders within 11 points of each other," Coolbeth said. "I just have to be mentally prepared for the last race because it's going to be a battle." The Wrecking Crew also did some damage in the heat races at Sunday's event promoted by the Illinois Motorcycle Dealer Association. Smith and Coolbeth won their heat races while King and Mees finished second and fourth, respectively. Springfield, Ill., Screamin' Eagle Wrecking Crew Race Summary Main Event Finish Heat Finish Qualifying Bryan Smith 1st 1st 2nd Rich King 2nd 2nd 7th Kenny Coolbeth 3rd 1st 3rd Jared Mees 4th 4th 14th AMA Top 10 Point standings: Flat Track (Following nine of 10 events. Number of wins in parenthesis) 1. Kenny Coolbeth, Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson (2) 135 2. Jared Mees, Texter HD/ Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson (1) 126 3. Chris Carr, Quality Pre-Owned Ford Harley-Davidson (2) 125 4. Bryan Smith, Pat Moroney's/Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson 119 5. Rich King, Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson 110 6. Joe Kopp, Latus Harley-Davidson (1) 97 7. Glen Schnabel, Harley-Davidson 89 8. Jake Johnson, Suzuki 77 9. Mike Hacker, Doc's Harley-Davidson (1) 68 10. Johnny Murphree, Coziahr Harley-Davidson 65 here is just one race remaining this AMA Flat Track season. The finale will be held at Scioto Downs in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 23. 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 2006 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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