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August 30, 2009

2009 Indy Mile - Race Recap, Chris Carr Takes 5th

D&D Sponsored Flat Track Racers - 2009 Springfield Mile Chris Carr Racing

Coolbeth Takes 2009 Indy Mile Win and the Series Lead

Defending AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Champion Kenny Coolbeth (No. 1 Harley-Davidson Motor Co. / Screamin Eagles Harley-Davidson) came away the big winner of the Lucas Oil Indiana Mile as Round 7 of the Grand National Twins Championship came to the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Ind.

Screamin' Eagle backed Coolbeth led the 25-lap National wire to wire.

Before a near capacity crowd Coolbeth took the lead early and was so strong that by three laps into the race, the Indy Mile, for all intents and purposes, was decided.


This weekend's victory was Coolbeth's second National win of the year, and coupled with the points from his Dash win, the three-time Champion was propelled to a four point lead over Jared Mees (No. 21 Blue Springs Screamin' Eagle / Rogers Lake's Harley-Davidson).


"Everybody was fast today," Coolbeth said. "The best way to handle that is to just get out front, put your head down and try to get away. I don't worry about the points when I'm racing. If I can keep winning, the points will take care of themselves."

As Coolbeth pulled away a five-rider battle for second took center stage with Smith, Mees, last year's winner Chris Carr, Jake Johnson and Sammy Halbert.

Smith and Mees eventually pulled clear and locked in a race-long battle. Smith took second by the slimmest of margins, keeping his Championship hopes alive.


The race in the distance behind Coolbeth was divided into pairs. Besides the Mees / Smith duo, No. 4 Chris Carr Racing's Chris Carr, No. 14 Jake Johnson (SuperTrapp / F&S Harley-Davidson) and No. 43 Sammy Halbert (Halbert Family / Kings Kustoms) were having a great race until Carr dropped back fighting handling problems and Halbert slid down on Lap 20.

Carr slid three seconds back to No. 33 Memphis Shades / Parts Unlimited's JR Schnabel and the two competitors fought over fifth, with the edge going to Carr at the wire. The last dueling pair was No. 3 Joe Kopp (Latus Harley-Davidson / Screamin Eagle) and No. 17 Henry Wiles (KK Motorcycle Supply / Mike Adkins). Kopp was able to hold off a hard-charging Wiles by the end of the race.

Harley-Davidson of Wausau's No. 59 Willie McCoy was a lonely ninth over the Nation Cycle / Reiman's Harley-Davidson backed No. 26 Brandan Bergen.

The Restart
The first attempt to start the 25-lap National was short lived, as four riders quickly tangled. No. 44 Brandon Robinson, No. 69 Jethro Halbert, No. 28 Shaun Russell and Wiles were involved in a Turn 1 incident. Only Wiles was able to make the restart, riding his backup Harley-Davidson.

The Dash
Under the new points system, the Dash has taken on great importance, as the points garnered from the 5-4-3-2-1 bonus system can add up fast. Coolbeth was able to take the five points for the win tonight, with last year's race winner Carr finishing second. The short, four lap races are packed with action every week.

About the AMA Pro Grand National Championship
AMA Pro Grand National Championship is the oldest and most traditional form of motorcycle racing, tracing it's roots back to the early 1900's when young daredevils tested each other on county fairground ovals all around the United States. In 1954, the first Grand National Champion was crowned as Joe Leonard had accumulated the most points in the new series. Since then major changes have come to the series and now 55 years later the AMA Pro Grand National Championship Series will crown the 2009 Grand National Twins Champion, Grand National Singles Champion and the Grand National Pro Singles Champion.

Watch The Race on TV
Lucas Oil Indy Mile AMA Flat Track Grand National Event will be Telecast Nationwide on Versus.

The Lucas Oil Indy Mile AMA Flat Track Grand National will return the "crown jewel" of AMA Flat Track racing to Indianapolis on September 13th. The Lucas Motorsports Hour will feature the race.

Next Race
The series goes to the Labor Day weekend Springfield doubleheader next week, with a Short Track and Mile event on tap.

August 30, 2009 3:00 PM | send page