|
COOLBETH WINS TO CLINCH THIRD AMA GRAND NATIONAL
TITLE MONTICELLO N.Y.. (Sept. 7, 2008) - Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle factory rider Kenny Coolbeth clinched his third consecutive AMA Grand National Twins championship with a win on the half-mile track at Monticello Raceway. Coolbeth passed Moroney's Harley-Davidson/Screamin' Eagle rider Bryan Smith on lap 17 of the 25-lap main and led by 2.054-seconds at the finish line to win his sixth race of the season. Because his closest rival for the series title, Latus Harley-Davidson/Screamin' Eagle rider Joe Kopp, failed to qualify for the main, Coolbeth's win gives him an insurmountable points lead with two races left on the schedule. "We certainly didn't come to Monticello expecting to win the championship," said Coolbeth. "Winning the title was our goal when we opened the season in May and it feels great to be able to wrap it up early. I'm really happy for the Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson factory team. They really work hard for me, listen to me and are great people to race with. I could not have won these championships without that support." Coolbeth joins a list of legendary flat-track racers who have won three consecutive AMA Grand National championships that includes Carroll Resweber, Jay Springsteen, Bubba Shobert, Scott Parker, and Chris Carr. The race at Monticello was delayed from its scheduled Saturday start until Sunday due to rains caused by the remnants of tropical storm Hanna. Smith was on the pole for the start after posting the fastest time in qualifying heats, and took the lead on the first lap with Coolbeth in second and Glassman/LZ Racing rider Sammy Halbert and Nick Cummings fighting for third. Smith opened a comfortable lead on Coolbeth, but as the race passed the half-way point, the factory Harley-Davidson rider picked up the pace and closed in on Smith. Coolbeth passed Smith low in turn one on lap 17, and Smith made one attempt to re-pass before Coolbeth pulled away and then rode uncontested to the finish. "I was just biding my time, not letting Smith get away," said Coolbeth. "I knew he'd be fast at first when the track was loose. But I figured it would dry as the race went on and work better for my set-up, which is exactly what happened." Halbert dropped out of the race on lap 19, leaving third position to Cummings. Blue Springs Harley-Davidson/Screamin' Eagle rider Jared Mees finished ninth. After 11 of 13 events on the 2008 AMA Grand National Twins schedule, Coolbeth has a lock on first place with 214 points. Smith has 162 points and moves past Kopp for second place. Kopp is third with 155 points, followed by Chris Carr, who finished seventh at Monticello, with 154. Mees moves up from ninth to seventh with 102 points. Smith, Kopp and Carr have two races remaining on the schedule to battle for second and third place in the season standings. The 2008 AMA Grand National Twins Championship will next race on September 13 on the Indiana State Fairground mile in Indianapolis, Ind. "We tested at Indianapolis after the Springfield race," said Coolbeth. "It has been a few years since we raced there. The track is not as fast as the Springfield Mile, but it's more technical and more of a cushion track with lots of lines and passing opportunities. There will be a lot of fans in Indy for the MotoGP race that weekend, so we hope they come out to watch what I think will be an exciting race." The season closes on Oct. 4 with a race at Heartland Park Topeka in Topeka, Kansas. 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.
|
|