Motourage

The AMA Pro K&N Filters Grand National Championship rolled into Maryland’s Hagerstown Speedway this past weekend, and series points leader Joe Kopp was determined to have a better night after a brutal get off on the west coast.

“It’s not like I was broke in half or anything, but I’m still pretty sore,” said Kopp. “This was a great race. It was a lot of fun dueling with Kenny (Coolbeth), we went back and forth for a long time.”

It was a lot more fun for Kopp as he pulled to nearly a one-second lead over Kenny Coolbeth. The two former Grand National Champions and former teammates kept the large crowd entertained after a couple of aborted starts.

The first attempt to get the 25-lap National under way only lasted to the first turn, where Jake Johnson crashed right in front of the pack.  Johnny Lewis and Mick Kirkness were collected in the mess. All three riders would make the restart, however Johnson was on his backup Harley-Davidson.

The next try lasted two laps before last week’s winner and this week’s fast qualifier Stevie Bonsey fell in turn three. Bonsey was uninjured, but unable to make the restart.

Coolbeth had gotten the hole shot every time, and the third time was no different. Kopp was close behind and looking for any kind of space to make a move.  Rob Pearson was having a great ride in third until the 10th lap, when defending Twins Champion Jared Mees pushed his Harley-Davidson onto the podium. Coolbeth and Kopp exchanged the lead at the line three times, but there was passing going on all around the track. Kopp finally took over for good on lap 20. Pearson’s fourth place came into jeopardy late in the race as Sammy Halbert and Bryan Smith closed to within a half second, but that would be the finish order. Johnson regrouped to finish a strong seventh over Henry Wiles, Kirkness and Brandon Robinson.

Earlier in the night, the all-important Dash for Cash ($1,000 and five points) had gone to Jared Mees in a wire-to-wire win. Kopp was second and Johnson third.

In the Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles Grand National Championship, points leader Jeffery Carver solidified his lead with a come-from-behind win. Early leader James Rispoli would have to settle for second.

Defending Series Champion, Brad Baker was a distant third, barely holding off his traveling buddy Mike Avila. Carver now holds a 31-point lead over Baker.

Hagerstown Speedway, Hagerstown, Maryland
RESULTS: August 7, 2010

GNT DASH FOR CASH (4 laps; 6 riders):
1. Jared Mees (H-D); 2. Joe Kopp (H-D); 3. Jake Johnson (H-D); 4. Sammy Halbert (H-D); 5. Kenny Coolbeth (H-D); 6. Henry Wiles (H-D).

AMA PRO MOTORCYCLE-SUPERSTORE.COM PRO SINGLES MAIN (12 laps; 18 riders):
1. Jeffery Carver (Yam); 2. James Rispoli (Hon); 3. Brad Baker (Hon); 4. Mike Avila (Hon); 5. Jake Shoemaker (Suz); 6. Brian Vincent (Hon); 7. Wyatt Maguire (Yam); 8. Chaz Springsteen (Kaw); 9. Asa Irish (Hon); 10. William Cato (Hon); 11. Eric Stump (Hon); 12. Mike Martin (Hon); 13. Adam Bushman (Hon); 14. Jason Isennock (Hon); 15. Mike LaBelle (Hon); 16. Shayna Texter (Hon); 17. Austin Greenland (Hon); 18. Brian Tapp (Hon).
Time: 10:27.557 (RED FLAG).

AMA PRO MOTORCYCLE-SUPERSTORE.COM PRO SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS (After 10 0f 18 rounds):
1. Jeffery carver (195 pts / 4 wins); 2, Brad Baker (164 / 3 wins); 3. James Rispoli (134); 4. Mike Avila (119); 5. Mike Martin (91); 6. Mike LaBelle (85); 7. Chaz Springsteen (79); 8. JD Beach (72); 9. Jake Shoemaker (52); 10. (TIE) Wyatt Maguire / Gerit Callies (42); 12. Michael Toon (38 / 1 win); 13. Jeremy Hamilton (37); 14. Zakk Palmer (36); 15. Shayna Texter (35); 16. Brandon Laursen (33); 17. Stephen Vanderkuur (31); 18. John Long (30); 19. Tyler O’Hara (29); 20. Brian Vincent (28).

AMA PRO K&N GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED by MOTORCYCLE-SUPERSTORE.COM MAIN (25 laps; 18 riders):
1. Joe Kopp (H-D); 2. Kenny Coolbeth (H-D); 3. Jared Mees (H-D); 4. Rob Pearson (H-D); 5. Sammy Halbert (H-D); 6. Bryan Smith (Kaw); 7. Jake Johnson (H-D); 8. Henry Wiles (H-D); 9. Mick Kirkness (H-D); 10. Brandon Robinson (H-D); 11. Doug Lawrence (H-D); 12. Chris Carr (H-D); 13. Adam Carpinello (H-D); 14. Matt Weidman (H-D); 15. Chad Cose (Suz); 16. Lucas Scherb (H-D); 17. Johnny Lewis (Kaw); 18. Stevie Bonsey (H-D);.
Time: 19:12.704 (RED FLAG).

AMA PRO K&N GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED by MOTORCYCLE-SUPERSTORE.COM POINT STANDINGS (After 10 of 18 rounds):
1. Joe Kopp (193 pts / 3 wins); 2. (TIE) Jake Johnson (2 wins) / Sammy Halbert (1 win) (175); 4. Jared Mees (164); 5. Henry Wiles (160 / 3 wins); 6. Kenny Coolbeth (152); 7. Chris Carr (102); 8. Bryan Smith (93); 9. Rob Pearson (77); 10. Johnny Lewis (67); 11. Matt Weidman (64); 12. Mick Kirkness (63); 13. Jethro Halbert (57); 14. Stevie Bonsey (45 / 1 win); 15. Brandon Robinson (35); 16. JR Schnabel (28); 17. Luke Gough (26) 18. Chad Cose (21); 19. (TIE) PJ Jacobsen / Brandan Bergen (19).

On Saturday night, Joe Kopp overcame two restarts to take his #3 Harley-Davidson to a win during round eight of the AMA Pro Flat Track K&N Filters Grand National Championship at the I-96 Speedway Half Mile. The race was stopped after two laps by oil on the track, and again after lap 11 when Bryan Smith fell in turn two.

Zanotti Racing’s Jake Johnson won the hole shot in the first start, but could not duplicate the second time around. “I knew I had to get out front and not make any mistakes,” said Kopp. “I was the veteran, I should be able to keep the kids behind me.”

The single file restart saw Johnson take a look inside going into turn one, but he was unable to alongside Kopp. Coolbeth was all over Johnson for second, but had no better luck. Late in the race, Sammy Halbert, defending champ Jared Mees and the veteran Chris Carr tried to make it a six-way race, but after Mees passed Carr on lap twenty two the top positions were set.

Johnny Lewis gave his Kawasaki its best finish with a seventh after falling victim to the oil on the first start. Matt Weidman, Henry Wiles and Jethro Halbert rounded out the top ten.

AMA Pro Racing has implemented a new program for three of this year’s races. The top ten riders in last year’s Pro Singles class can have a provisional ride in the Expert class if they can secure a twins ride for the event. Tonight four riders took advantage of that.

#24P Jeff Carver, #71B James Rispoli, #25A Shayna Texter and Brad Baker, who switched his #1 Pro Singles number for a #17M Harley-Davidson, were the only riders to take advantage.

Baker really took advantage, winning the second Expert Twins Semi. Then, after finishing second to Carver in the Pro Singles main, he got off his Honda, put in 25 more laps on the H-D, and home a very respectful 13th. The finish did not earn him any GNC National points, just the experience and the $775 that went with it.

James Rispoli filled out the Pro Singles Podium after the race was stopped on lap eleven when Zakk Palmer fell in turn four.

The K&N Filters Grand National Championship now moves west to Calistoga, CA on July 31.

This Saturday night the AMA Pro Flat Track K&N Filters Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com heads to the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio for the 2010 edition of the Ohio National Championship.

Last year’s Lima winner Bryan Smith, who rode a Harley-Davidson to his victory at the Fairgrounds, will be switching to the Monster Energy/Werner-Springsteen Racing Kawasaki.  Smith came in second at this year’s Springfield Mile on May 30th, and is still seeking his first win of the 2010 season, currently seventh in the Expert rider point standings.

Can Joe Kopp and his Latus Motors Ducati break Harley's 15-year hold on Lima, Ohio?

2008 Ohio National Championship winner Joe Kopp, who also won aboard a Harley-Davidson last year, will be switching to the Latus Motors/ENI USA R&M/Lloyd Brothers Motorsports Team Ducati.  Kopp won the Arizona Mile at Yavapai Downs earlier this year aboard the team’s Ducati and comes into Lima with 118 points, leading the Expert riders in the Grand National Championship points chase.  Jeff Carver has 118 points in Pro Singles Grand National Championship standings and leads that division.

Top riders from across the country call this race one of the most demanding, fun and exciting races on the series.  The Harley-Davidson XR750 has won 23 of 25 Nationals on the limestone half-mile dirt track, winning 15 consecutive races since 1994.

The Ohio National Championship will mark the seventh event on the 19-race 2010 calendar. Smith will headline a field of former Lima winners including Kopp (’03, ’04), Jared Mees (’05, ’07) and AMA Pro legend Chris Carr (’91, ’99, ’00, ’01). Although Kopp is the current points leader, he is being chased by winners of the last two GNC nationals, Jake Johnson and Henry Wiles, who each have two wins of their own this season.  All of these leading competitors, in addition to three-time Grand National Champion Kenny Coolbeth and Nichole Cheza, are among the top riders coming to Lima.

The series competed most recently at Gas City I-69 Speedway in Gas City, IN on June 19.  “Hammerin” Hank Wiles nipped Mees by .624 seconds at the line, with Kopp finishing third.

Fairground gates open at 3 p.m. local time on June 26. There will be a number of vendor displays on the grounds including Budweiser, Lima Ford, Lima Harley-Davidson, K&N Filters and Memphis Shades.

Timed practice is slated for 3 p.m. with a rider autograph session and open paddock area set for 5:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. with the official racing program kicking off at 7:30 p.m. local time.  Pro Singles and Expert Singles will battle through nine qualifying races, culminating with the Pro Singles Main, a 12-lap feature, and the Expert Singles Main, a 25-lap showdown, wrapping up the evening of racing.

It has been several years coming, but Joe Kopp gave the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports Team their first AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship victory at the Budweiser Arizona Mile.

The first-time event was full of firsts. The first win for Ducati, the first BMW in a Flat Track National since 1954 and the first Kawasaki since 1975 to make a National Main.

All day long it appeared that Halbert Family/Kings Kustom’s Sammy Halbert was going to pick up where he left off in Daytona as he set fast time in qualifying, won the fastest heat and the five-point, $1,000 Dash for Cash on his Harley-Davidson.

While Kopp had been fast all day, he didn’t give Halbert too much trouble in their heat as he finished second on his Latus Harley-Davidson/ENI R&M-backed Ducati well behind Halbert.

When the National started, Kopp roared to the front as Halbert suddenly looked to be off his game, dropping to third behind Zanotti Racing’s Jake Johnson.

On lap seven Johnson’s race started to unravel as he was passed by Halbert and Lancaster Harley-Davidson/Dallas-Fort Worth Honda’s Chris Carr.

“I realized I had to pick up the pace, I was afraid Joe was going to get away,” said Halbert.

One more lap and Halbert was back in the lead and cruising. Kopp settled into second with Carr in third, but by lap thirteen Carr was under attack as Defending Grand National Twins Champion Jared Mees had his Rogers Lake Racing/Blue Springs Harley-Davidson backed Harley in contention for the last podium spot, taking third on lap fifteen.

Just as suddenly on lap seventeen Kenny Coolbeth pushed his Harley-Davidson Motor Company backed XR-750 around both Carr and Mees, dropping Mees to fifth. Mees was able to regroup, re-pass Carr and just miss making a last-lap pass for third.

While this was a good race the race for the win suddenly heated up. “It looked like Sammy was having some brake problems, but he said not,” said Kopp. “With a couple of laps to go I realized I had a shot. On the last lap I caught him down the back straight, but I thought I better wait for the front straight to pass him. I was just barely able to draft past at the finish line.”

“I let this one get away, it’s a learning experience for me I’ll not let that happen again,” said Halbert. “I should have won this.”

Earlier in the day Rod Lake/Mike Velasco/Brothers Powersport’s Brad Baker had captured the Pro Singles Main as he led the twelve lap race wire to wire.

Yamaha Corp/GTYR/Van’s Yamaha’s Jeffery Carver fought his way into second, but finished four seconds behind Baker.

The race for third was a dandy as Monster Energy/Kawasaki/Werner-Springsteen Racing’s Chaz Springsteen and Priestley Racing/Vadnais Machine’s Corey Crawford ducked it out. Fast Qualifier Crawford was able to come out on top.

RESULTS:

AMA Pro Racing GNC Twins National:
1. Joe Kopp (Duc); 2. Sammy Halbert (H-D); 3. Kenny Coolbeth (H-D); 4. Jared Mees (H-D); 5. Chris Carr (H-D); 6. Jake Johnson (H-D); 7. JR Schnabel (H-D); 8. Rob Pearson (H-D); 9. Don Taylor (H-D); 10. Luke Gough (Suz); 11. Henry Wiles (H-D); 12. Aaron King (Rot); 13. Brandon Robinson (H-D); 14. Mick Kirkness (H-D); 15. Chad Cose (Suz); 16. Nichole Cheza (H-D); 17. Bryan Smith (Kaw); 18. Matt Wait (BMW).

AMA Pro Singles Main:
1. Brad Baker (Hon); 2. Jeffery Carver (Yam); 3. Corey Crawford (Hon); 4. Chaz Springsteen (Kaw); 5. Mike Avila (Hon); 6. Jeremy Hamilton (Hon); 7. Mike LaBelle (Hon); 8. Wyatt Maguire (Yam); 9. Tony Davila (Hon); 10. Jake Cunningham (Suz); 11. Russ Wikle (Hon); 12. Harley Dunn (Hon); 13. Shayna Texter (Hon); 14. Michael Toon (Hon); 15. Mike Martin (Hon); 16. Chris Ponderous (Hon); 17. Kenny Malaguarnero (Hon); 18. Colt Chebultz (Hon).

Joe Kopp Dominates the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Competition at Beulah Park