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AMA Pro Racing has added USA Raceway in Tucson, Arizona to the 2012 AMA Pro Racing Flat Track Schedule. The event will fill the October 6, 2012 TBA date on the previously-announced 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule.

Arizona’s premier 3/8-mile dirt track, USA Raceway, is a relatively new track. The modern facility, which opened in 2005, normally hosts Late Model Stock Cars and Sprints Cars, but the AMA Pro Grand National Championship has visited Tucson before. In 2007, the facility hosted two Nationals in one weekend.

The Raceway hosted both GNC Singles and GNC Twins rounds in what would be the last races of the year. Jake Johnson, aboard a factory-backed Suzuki, won the first night over teammate JR Schnabel and Bryan Smith on a Honda. The next night, Kenny Coolbeth locked up the number one plate with a second-place finish behind Joe Kopp, with Rich King taking third to make it an all Harley-Davidson podium.

The AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com and the AMA Pro Flat Track Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles will conclude the 2012 season on the west coast, the October 6 date placing the Tucson event on the weekend between California races in Santa Rosa and the finale at Pomona.

2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Schedule:

March 15, 2012
Daytona Flat Track I
Daytona Flat Track, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Short Track

March 16, 2012
Daytona Flat Track II
Daytona Flat Track, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Short Track
Read more…

Dan Johnsen has been named Director of Flat Track for the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Series. Johnsen moves to his new position from his previous role as Head of Technical Inspection for AMA Pro Road Racing.

Johnsen has extensive experience in motorcycle racing, having worked and competed himself in AHRMA, CCS and WERA, and also as a crew member for the 4&6 Racing Safety First team in AMA Pro Road Racing. He joined AMA Pro as an official in 2008 and served in the technical department before being promoted to Chief Tech Inspector in 2009.

Dan also served in the U.S. Army as a Multiple Launch Rocket Systems Specialist from 1992 through 1994. He is originally from St. Charles, Illinois and is married and now lives in Ormond Beach, Florida.

“Dan has been an important part of our success in AMA Pro, and we feel very confident that he will bring his considerable skills to our important Flat Track activities,” said David Atlas, COO and Managing Member of AMA Pro Racing.

The AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season begins March 10-11, 2011 at the new Daytona Flat Track as part of the Daytona 200 Bike Week activities.

MotoUSA’s contributing editor, Steve Atlas, recently had the privilege of taking six different models of twin-powered flat trackers around Prescott, Arizona’s Yavapai Downs – known to Flat Track fans as The Arizona Mile.

AMA Pro Racing has released the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship schedule, which features an increased number of races, plus new and former events back on the schedule.

The 2011 schedule features 22 dates in 17 markets across the country with a mixture of Short Track, TT, Half-Mile and Mile dirt tracks.

Once again the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship will consist of three series: Expert Singles, Expert Twins and the highly successful Pro Singles.

The season will open during Bike Week at the Daytona Flat Track, with a Short Track on Thursday, March 10th and Friday, March 11th.

Next on the schedule will be the only indoor National of the Series in Du Quoin, Ill. at the Southern Illinois Complex April 2nd. The series will then move west to the Salinas Sports Complex for the first TT National of the season, then returns to Yavapai Downs in Prescott, Ariz. for the Arizona Mile on May 1st.

Inaugural events will be held at the Southern Illinois Complex in Du Quoin, Ill.; The Salinas Sports Complex in Salinas, Calif.; Hartford Motor Speedway in Hartford, Minn.; and after a long hiatus, the return of the Sacramento Mile in Sacramento, Calif.; Castle Rock TT in Castle Rock, Wash.; and Metra Park Raceway Half-mile in Billings, Mont.

Annual events will continue at Yavapai Downs in Prescott Valley, Ariz.; Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill.; Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio; Hagerstown Speedway in Hagerstown, Md.; I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Minn.; Peoria Race Park in Peoria, Ill.; Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Ind.; Canterbury Park in Minneapolis, Minn.; Calistoga Speedway in Calistoga, Calif.; and the highly anticipated rained-out event in 2010 at the Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa.

“The expansion of the series is exciting news for our fans, riders and sponsors,” said Gary Kidd, Flat Track Manager of AMA Pro Racing. “We continue to work hard to showcase America’s traditional form of motorcycle racing in various parts of the country. Our goal is to continue to work with our existing promoters while going out to find aggressive promoters near key markets that will further benefit the series.”

After a 13-year hiatus, the AMA Pro K&N Filters Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com Series returned to Canterbury Park for the Minnesota Mile. While the track was not perfect, it was much better than the last time the “Rolling Thunder Show” visited Minnesota and it was very good to Harley-Davidson Motor Company’s #2 Kenny Coolbeth.

Pursuing his first Grand National win since Indianapolis of 2009, Coolbeth came from deep in the 18-rider field to capture the 25-lap main by slightly more than three seconds. “We really needed this, we’ve been so close,” said Coolbeth. “When I passed Jared (Mees), I signaled him to get in line so we could run down the leaders, but it didn’t work out. The next thing I knew I was passed (Matt) Weidman and closing on Jake (Johnson). I was following Jake and he started to use my line and I almost hit him, but then I was able to get by and then it was just clear sailing, just stay consistent,” said Coolbeth. “t was hard to see that outside berm and you had to be real careful not to get in too hot.”

At the start, Jake Johnson got the hole shot, and the race looked like it was going to be a two-rider battle as Johnson and Matt Weidman quickly separated themselves from the rest of the field. Weidman was all over Johnson, taking the lead several times, but unable to lead at the finish line.

Coolbeth was reeling in the lead duo and was able to wedge himself into second on lap eleven. Once into second he wasted little time taking the lead and pulling to his first win of the year.

Weidman’s next problem was Rogers Jared Mees, and Mees took third on lap 13. Weidman had Bryan Smith and Chris Carr challenging him after Mees got by.

Henry Wiles was the rider on the move as mechanical problems had knocked him out of a sure heat win and forced him to win the semi to get a third-row start in the main. Wiles was cutting through the field, working his way up from 10th to fourth by lap 22.

Weidman held on for fifth after his brilliant start. Bryan Smith and Chris Carr battled over sixth with Smith edging the seven time Grand National Champion out.

Series points leader Joe Kopp was in the lead pack early, but scraped off his brake pedal on lap two and was forced to ride the tricky race track with no brake. Kopp was leading a huge pack in the battle over eighth place until lap 20 when he broke his chain going into turn one, ending his night.

Johnny Lewis was able to take his Kawasaki to the eighth place finish ahead of Shawn Baer and Jethro Halbert.

Earlier in the night the rejuvenated Chris Carr captured the four-lap Dash for Cash. Carr only led the last few inches of the race as he drafted Jake Johnson at the line.

Johnson’s four points from the Dash moved him to within six points of Joe Kopp and the Grand National points lead.

Johnson’s strong race and then Kopp’s sudden misfortune give Johnson a ten point lead with two races to go. Mees (-19), Wiles (-26), Coolbeth (-34) and Sammy Halbert (-37) all still have a mathematical chance at the title.

Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles Grand National Championship points Jeffery Carver came away with win number five on the season and now holds a 27-point lead over third place finisher and last year’s class champion Brad Baker.

Mike Avila finish second, just one second off the lead. Chaz Springsteen and Corey Crawford filled out the top five.

Canterbury Park, Shakopee, MN
RESULTS: September 11, 2010

AMA PRO MOTORCYCLE-SUPERSTORE.COM PRO SINGLES MAIN (12 laps; 18 riders): 1. Jeffery Carver (Yam); 2. Mike Martin (Hon); 3. Brad Baker (Hon); 4. Chaz Springsteen (Kaw); 5. Corey Crawford (Hon); 6. Conner Anderson (Hon); 7. Gerit Callies (Hon); 8. Michael Toon (Hon); 9. William Cato (Hon); 10. Jake Cunningham (Suz); 11. Wyatt Maguire (Yam); 12. Kurtis Lee (Hon); 13. Justin Minnaert (Kaw); 14. Kevin Walter (KTM); 15. Adam Bushman (Hon); 16. Scott Barrett (Hon); 17. Nicholas Mataya (Yam); 18. Mike Martin (Hon).
Time: 8:30.341

AMA PRO MOTORCYCLE-SUPERSTORE.COM PRO SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS (After 15 of 17 rounds): 1. Jeffery carver (278 pts / 5 wins); 2. Brad Baker (251 / 4 wins); 3. Mike Avila (182); 4. James Rispoli (160); 5. (TIE) JD Beach (4 wins) / Mike Martin (118); 7. (TIE) Chas Springsteen / Mike LaBelle (116); 9. Michael Toon (91 / 2 wins); 10. Jake Shoemaker (90); 11. William Cato (79); 12. Gerit Callies (67); 13. Zakk Palmer (66); 14. Jeremy Hamilton (59); 15. (TIE) Corey Crawford / Shayna Texter (57); 17. Wyatt Maguire (55); 18. Tyler O’Hara (47); 19. Kurtis Lee (38); 20. Brandon Laursen (35).

GNT DASH FOR CASH (4 laps; 6 riders): 1. Chris Carr (H-D); 2. Jake Johnson (H-D); 3. Matt Weidman (H-D); 4. Jared Mees (H-D); 5. Kenny Coolbeth (H-D); 6. Rob Pearson (H-D).
Time: 2:45.440

AMA PRO K&N GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED by MOTORCYCLE-SUPERSTORE.COM MAIN (25 laps; 18 riders): 1. Kenny Coolbeth (H-D); 2. Jake Johnson (H-D); 3. Jared Mees (H-D); 4. Henry Wiles (H-D); 5. Matt Weidman (H-D); 6. Bryan Smith (Kaw); 7. Chris Carr (H-D); 8. Johnny Lewis (Kaw); 9. Shawn Baer (Tri); 10. Jethro Halbert (H-D); 11. Luke Gough (H-D); 12. Jeremy Higgins (KTM); 13. Nichole Cheza (H-D); 14. Mick Kirkness (Suz); 15. Dustin Crow (H-D); 16. Joe Kopp (Duc); 17. Rob Pearson (H-D); 18. Chad Cose (Suz).
Time: 16:57.197

AMA PRO K&N GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED by MOTORCYCLE-SUPERSTORE.COM POINT STANDINGS (After 15 of 17rounds): 1. Jake Johnson (265 pts / 2 wins); 2. Joe Kopp (255 / 3 wins); 3. Jared Mees (246); 4. Henry Wiles (239 / 5 wins); 5. Kenny Coolbeth (231 / 1 win); 6. Sammy Halbert (228 / 1 win); 7. Chris Carr (190); 8. Bryan Smith (177 / 2 wins); 9. Matt Weidman (108); 10. Johnny Lewis (103); 11. Rob Pearson (90); 12. Mick Kirkness (79); 13. Jethro Halbert (77); 14. Stevie Bonsey (69 / 1 win); 15. Luke Gough (46); 16. Brandon Robinson (42); 17. JR Schnabel (41); 18. Shaun Russell (39); 19. Willie McCoy (35); 20. PJ Jacobsen (31).

AMA PRO K&N GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED by MOTORCYCLE-SUPERSTORE.COM TWINS POINT STANDINGS (After 9 of 11 rounds): 1. Jake Johnson (167 pts / 1 win); 2. Kenny Coolbeth (153 / 1 win); 3. Sammy Halbert (147); 4. Jared Mees (146); 5. Joe Kopp (144 / 2 wins); 6. Chris Carr (140); 7. Bryan Smith (125 / 2 wins); 8. Henry Wiles (98 / 1 win); 9. Matt Weidman (73); 10. Rob Pearson (57); 11. Stevie Bonsey (55 / 1 win); 12. (TIE) Mick Kirkness / Luke Gough (39); 14. Johnny Lewis (35); 15. Willie McCoy (33); 16. PJ Jacobsen (31); 17. Jethro Halbert (29); 18. Brandon Robinson (24); 19. JR Schnabel (22); 20. Larry Pegram (17).

AMA Pro Flat Track will conduct a milestone event this weekend with the AMA Pro K&N Filters Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com Hub City Classic at Hagerstown Speedway in Hagerstown, MD.  This will be the 1,100th Grand National event conducted by AMA Pro Racing.

Of the many different types of motorcycle racing disciplines sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, the oldest and most traditional is the Grand National Championship.  This is a uniquely American style of motorcycle racing that competes on four types of tracks: quarter-mile, half-mile and one-mile specially prepared dirt oval tracks as well as TT events that use a track configuration with right and left turns along with a jump.

Latus Motors Ducati's Joe Kopp holds a six-point lead heading to Hagerstown

Prior to 1954, the fast and smooth Springfield Mile determined the winner of the coveted AMA Pro National Dirt Track Championship.  In 1954, the 18 points-paying race season was introduced.  The series was made up of flat track and a number of road race nationals to showcase the versatility of the machines and their riders.  As the two disciplines grew, they were eventually split into two distinctly different series.

Leading this year’s AMA Pro K&N Filters GNC Twins Championship coming into the historic Hagerstown event is Ducati rider Joe Kopp, the 2000 AMA Pro Grand National Champion followed by 2006 and 2008 Grand National Singles Champion Jake Johnson and 2009 Grand National Champion Sammy Halbert.

Due to new ownership at Beulah Park, the AMA Pro K&N Filters Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com mile motorcycle race scheduled for August 14th to be held at Beulah Park in Grove City, OH has officially been canceled.

“Beulah Park has been sold and new ownership officially took over on July 1st. Due to the timing of the acquisition and the event, I am sorry to say that we have had to cancel this year’s race,” said Michael Weiss, Executive V.P. of Beulah Park.  “My sincere apologies to all; however, I truly hope this great race can be back on next year’s schedule.”

The AMA Pro K&N Filters Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-superstore.com now moves west with Calistoga, CA the destination on July 31.

The AMA Pro Flat Track K&N Filters Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com switched from a Singles Short Track to a Twins Half Mile this past weekend, but Henry Wiles never missed a beat. Wiles just devastated the Allen County Fairgrounds Half Mile in Lima, OH, leading the 25-lap National from start to finish. The dominating performance gave Wiles 50 consecutive laps led as he pushed his # 17 KK Motorcycle Supply/Mike & Eddie Adkins backed Harley-Davidson XR750 to a six-and-a-half second win over Sammy Halbert and his # 7 Kings Kustoms/KK Motorcycle Supply backed Harley-Davidson.

“I love this place. This is my kind of track, and the fans really get into it. I can see them hanging on the fence all the way around,” said Wiles. “I just tried to get away in the National. It seemed like I was in lapped traffic real soon. It was like, this isn’t the heat race, these are the best of the best. This is really just great, now we’ve got to get it together for the groove tracks coming up.”

Wiles couldn’t have been better as he set the fast qualifying time, won the fastest heat, captures the five points and $2,000 in the dash and then dominated the National. The George Roeder Memorial Dash featured double the normal purse for the four-lap race. Wiles led the group into turn one when the green light flashed on the eighteen-rider grid. Joe Kopp, Sammy Halbert, Jake Johnson and Defending Twins Series Champion Jared Mees were bunched right behind.

Wiles quickly pulled away as Halbert also separated himself from the pack. Wiles’ and Halbert’s race looked to be settled and both were into serious lapped traffic by lap 15. Two years ago Wiles lost this race when a lapped rider opened the door for Joe Kopp to nip him at the line. No chance of that this year as Wiles sliced and diced his way through the field, lapping all the way up to eighth place. Ironically Kopp was the last rider he lapped right at the finish line.  The race was now for third as Johnson, Bryan Smith, Mees and Matt Weidman battled away.

Smith was looking to put his Kawasaki on the podium for the second straight time as he and Johnson exchanged the position all around the track, but it was the youngster from New York, Weidman, who prevailed earning his first ever Grand National podium finish. Smith finished a couple of seconds back in fourth, followed by Johnson and Mees. Dustin Crow was a solid seventh with Chris Carr, Kopp and Steve Bonsey filling out the top ten.

After winning three of the last four races Henry Wiles has moved into a points tie for the Grand National Championship with Joe Kopp at 129 points.  Jake Johnson is just eight points back with Sammy Halbert and Jared Mees another five and six points back. Three-time Grand National Champion Kenny Coolbeth is lurking 31 points off the pace, but with some strong races for him coming up.

Defending Pro Singles Champion Brad Baker was just about as dominant as Wiles in the 12-lap Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles Grand National Championship Main. Baker had his #1 Honda well in front of a great race for second. James Rispoli looked to have second nailed down, but Chaz Springsteen pushed his Kawasaki into second on lap eleven with Mike LaBelle also getting by on his Honda.

Series points leader Jeffery Carver had an off night finishing seventh. Carver still holds 24 point lead over Baker with Rispoli seven points back in third.

After taking the Fourth of July weekend off, the AMA Pro K&N Filters Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com Championship moves to the I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, MI.

The heavy rains that have plagued Middle America this spring claimed another victim Saturday night. AMA Pro Racing & Gas City I69 Speedway officials were forced to pull the plug on round six of the AMA Pro K&N Filters Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-superstore.com.

After dodging several severe storms overnight, heavy rains flooded the track around 1 p.m. Once track personnel were able to asses the damage, it was clear the amount of time needed to make the track ready for race action, along with the 70% chance of more strong thunderstorms left them with little choice but to cancel for the day.

Rescheduling is still a possibility if dates can be worked out around I69′s regular schedule. The next race in the K&N Filters Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-superstore.com is the Lima, OH half mile on June 26th.

AMA Pro Racing released today a revised 2010 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship schedule, reflecting the unfortunate deletion of two events.  The two races, Lexington, KY scheduled for June 19th and Castle Rock, WA scheduled for July 25th, have been deleted from the schedule due to scheduling and contractual issues that could not be resolved and therefore prevented both of these events from proceeding.

Discussions for the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship race at The Red Mile in Lexington, KY could not resolve certain issues and unfortunately caused the cancellation of the event.

The Mt. St. Helens Motorcycle Club elected not to have their Castle Rock race compete against another event in the same marketplace also scheduled on July 25th and decided to not conduct the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National race for 2010.

AMA Pro Racing is working now to secure additional events for the 2010 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship calendar.

2010 AMA Pro Flat Track Schedule*

May 1
Yavapai Downs (Prescott, Arizona)
Mile

May 29
Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield, Illinois)
TT

May 30
Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield, Illinois)
Mile

June 5
Gas City I-69 Speedway (Gas City, Indiana)
Short Track

June 26
Allen County Fairgrounds (Lima, Ohio)
Half-Mile

July 10
I-96 Speedway (Lake Odessa, Michigan)
Half-Mile

July 31
Calistoga Fairgrounds (Calistoga, California)
Half-Mile

August 7
Hagerstown Speedway (Hagerstown, Maryland)
Half-Mile

August 14
Beulah Park (Grove City, Ohio)
Mile

August 22
Peoria Race Park (Peoria, Illinois)
TT

August 28
Indiana State Fairgrounds (Indianapolis, Indiana)
Mile

September 4
Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield, Illinois)
Short Track

September 5
Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield, Illinois)
Mile

September 11
Canterbury Park (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Mile

September 18
Knoxville Speedway (Knoxville, IA)
Half-Mile

October 9
Yavapai Downs (Prescott, Arizona)
Short Track

October 10
Yavapai Downs (Prescott, Arizona)
Mile

*Schedule subject to change