Bombshell: AMA Flat Track Suspends Sammy Halbert for One GNC Round

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Sammy Halbert on the #7 Woody Kyle Racing/Fredericktown/Kings Kustoms/Fluid Suspension-backed Yamaha gets some last second adjustments to his mount by his father Willy just before the start of the Springfield Short Track on Saturday, September 4th. Slammin Sammy had to take a provisional in order to start the main and came from the back row to finish 11th after 25 fast and furious laps on the Springfield Arena bullring.
Before the suspension was announced, and after both rounds at Springfield having been completed, Halbert was 3rd in the overall point standings in the AMA Pro Flat Track K&N Filters presented by Motorcycle Superstore.com Grand National Championship Series. He was 24 points back on series leader Joe Kopp with 252 and Jake Johnson in the 2nd place overall with 242. Jared Mees in 4th with 228 points (Halbert holds the tie-breaker due to his season opening win at Daytona), and Henry Wiles in the 5th spot with 224 points. And with three rounds left in the overall championship, losing a race is all but a death sentence in going after the title.
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In what can only be viewed as a very critical turning point in the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Series, AMA Pro Flat Track has suspended current-3rd in the overall points standings man, Sammy Halbert, National #7 and the winner of the season opening round at the new Daytona Short Track, for the next round in the series. After having been on probation since the May Springfield round, Halbert's ride in last Saturday's Springfield Short Track semi race was considered pretty sketchy when he made contact with another rider in the process of coming through the field.

I personally did not see this move as I was following other riders on the track when this incident occurred. And I don't much like to quantify this type of incident in order to taint any decision that was made by those involved in either direction. JMHO.

You can read the full story by Larry Lawrence at his always fine site TheRiderFiles.com and see what Sammy and AMA Pro Flat Track Manager Mike Kidd have to say after this breaking news was announced. With the upcoming round in Shakopee, MN. at the Canterbury Park mile oval, barring any inclement weather, this would be the round he would have to sit out.

Here's the breaking news thanks to Larry:

http://www.theriderfiles.com/?p=5934
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