Round 6 of the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines series again proved the dominance of Howerton Motorsports Kawasaki's Bryan Smith on the mile ovals as Flyin' Bryan took his third win in-a-row on the season (all on mile ovals) and his third-straight win at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
Unfortunately, Sunday's race got off to a bad start when Brad Baker on the factory H-D XR750 got into CR Motorsports' Stevie Bonsey at the start of the second go-around heading into turn one. Even worse, Bonsey's bike split the airfence and the haybales, causing Bonsey to go into the fence hard. After being hauled out by the ambulance, Bonsey was and is reported as having suffered a neck fracture that will now cause him to have to wear a halo for the next couple of months, but per postings on Facebook he appears very upbeat and ready to get the healing process completed and return to action. You can keep up with his updates
here on FB.
After the restart, it was a big duel all the way around for the 25-lap National main, which saw no fewer then six combatants going at it all over, especially heading to the stripe. Smith ended up leading 16 laps, with Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. credited with a lap, Jared Mees with five laps and Baker with three. And those were just at the stripe. Also in the mix for the entire battle were Brandon Robinson on the Kennedy Kawasaki, with Glidden/Dreyer Motorsports' Doug Lawrence doing a great job of hanging just shy of the top-5 at the end.
In the shot above, riders hit the gas on the restart of round 6 of the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines series at the Springfield Mile I on Memorial Day Weekend Sunday, May 29.
(L-R) Eventual winner Bryan Smith on the #42 Crosley Brands/T&T Construction/Howerton Motorsports-sponsored Kawasaki, Jared Mees on the #1 Las Vegas H-D/Rogers Racing/Harley-Davidson Motor Co-backed XR750 (2nd-place finish), Brandon Robinson on the #44 Kennedy Racing/Armbruster Racing/J&H Repair-sponsored Kawasaki (4th-place finish), JR Addison on the #24F Smith Racing/J&F Construction/Moto Option-sponsored Kawasaki (17th-place finish), Brad Baker on the #6 Harley-Davidson Motor Co/Vance & Hines/Screaming Eagle-backed factory XR750 (3rd-place finish) and Jake Johnson on the #5 Zanotti Racing/Classic H-D/Harley-Davidson Motor Co-backed XR750 (11th-place finish) lead the charge off the front row.
Also part of the mix are Doug Lawrence (2nd row, behind Addison) on the #73 Glidden Racing/Dreyer Motorsports/Doug Lawrence Racing-sponsored Kawasaki (6th-place finish) and Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. (just behind team mate Jake Johnson) on the #2 Zanotti Racing/Harley-Davidson/Gator H-D-sponsored XR750 (5th-place finish).
The top five finishers were separated by only .220 seconds after the 25-lap main, with 6th-place finisher Lawrence on the Indy-based Glidden/Dreyer Kawasaki just .503 seconds behind Coolbeth. Also of note, a big tip of the helmet to Jeremy Higgins on the #82 Higgins Racing Kawasaki for what may have been his career-best mile finish of 7th-place.
A big thumbs up to Ryan Wells for winning his first-ever Twins Series event in the GNC2 class, while local Indy resident and first year Pro rider Kevin Stollings taking home his first-ever podium in a Twins event and leading several laps during the GNC2 main to nearly nip Wells at the stripe only to come up short by .033 seconds. Keep an eye on this Stollings youngster as he has a very bright future ahead of him.
For more on last Sunday's races, check out all of AMA Pro Flat Track's videos and reports below, as the racing at Springfield as usual didn't disappoint.
You can also get the
full results here, and Cycle News' Dave Hoenig's report
here as well.
Kawasaki's Bryan Smith wins third consecutive Mile in 2016 at Springfield Mile I
Video Highlights and Photos from the 2016 Springfield Mile:
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (May 29, 2016) - Bryan Smith proved his dominance at the Springfield Mile I on Sunday, taking home his third consecutive Mile victory of the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track season. This Mile win didn't come as easily, as the Michigan native had to fight to the finish with a pack of riders every lap, topping second place finisher No. 1 Jared Mees by a margin of 0.119 of a second at the conclusion of the race.
Smith, who pilots the third-generation No. 42 Crosley/Howerton Kawasaki Ninja 650, wrestled tirelessly with Harley-Davidson-mounted riders, Mees, eventual third place finisher No. 6 Brad Baker and No. 2 Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. and was officially scored with leading 16 of the 25-lap Main Event. The win was also Smith's third consecutive Springfield Mile victory, having won both of last year's contests at the historic venue.
"It feels pretty awesome," Smith said. "To have three Miles back-to-back and win them all. I don't care what kind of track it is, it's awesome. But to win the Miles that I love, obviously to have three in a row at a historic venue like Springfield, is great. There's not just one thing that was going through my mind through the last lap. There was a million thoughts of what to do, what not to do, go fast, not too fast, spin the tires, just a million thoughts. I was able to get just enough of a draft off of turn four in that last lap and just barely squeak by Jared."
Three-time and reigning Grand National Champion Mees expressed his desire to win the coming races over the "Mile Specialist" but shared his appreciation for the bar-to-bar racing that went down during Sunday's race. "It's definitely getting old finishing second on the Miles to the same guy," Mees said. "But hats off to those guys. They're working hard and that thing is fast. It's hard to get it before the finish line but the team is working really hard and we're trying to find more and more power and reliability. I felt like we had a little bit more than last year but you know, it is Mile racing at its best and a close finish is normal at the Springfield Mile."
Baker officially led three laps during the Main by using the all-important draft to push past his competitors. The Washington native took home the final spot on the podium. "It feels really good," Baker said. "I've had the speed the last three races or so but it feels good to be here on the podium. It was a really fun race and the end of the race was an all-out battle."
Baker's Factory Harley-Davidson teammate No. 67 Davis Fisher had a lot to prove with the competition debut of the next generation Harley-Davidson XG750R, and the rising star did not disappoint. Fisher experienced a mechanical issue in his Heat race but earned his Main Event starting spot thanks to a photo finish in his Semi race for the final transfer position. After picking off riders throughout the Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines Main Event, Fisher earned the new machine its first Top 10 result with his eighth place finish.
"Davis is doing a great job of developing the new bike and moving forward with it but we know the XR is proven and capable of winning," Baker continued. "Now we know the XG is capable of getting into the top 10 and now we have to see if it is capable of getting on the podium and winning. Until it gets to that point, I'm going to keep on the old, faithful XR750 that's been around for 44 years and then eventually going to be jumping onto that thing when it's ready. I want that bike to get better because if it gets better than the XR that means I'll have a weapon to try to get on the top spot or the box on these Miles instead of always nipping at the heels of the Kawasaki."
Smith now leads the Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines point standings by 16 points over No. 69 Sammy Halbert, 110-94.
In the GNC2 class, No. 94B Ryan Wells was unrelenting as he duked it out for his first Mile win of the 2016 season with second place finisher No. 99J Kevin Stollings and third place No. 23F Jeffery Lowery.
"It's my first Mile (win) and it's awesome," Wells said. "Especially at the Springfield Mile, the biggest Mile you could win, and for it to be a typical Springfield Mile ending, winning by half of a tire, it's cool. I would have liked to win by more but it's awesome. I wish I wouldn't have seen a red flag with two laps to go but it all worked out and I'm happy. I knew I had a fast bike but I was drafting Stollings earlier in the race, and the kid's real small and lightweight, so I knew if anybody could get by me before the line it would be him. I came out of turn four and I heard somebody; I peeked down underneath my handlebars and I saw the red bike and I knew it was him. I got as small as I could and was watching our front wheels go across the line and I was pretty pumped about it."
Wells now leads the GNC2 point standings by 18 points over No. 14A Dalton Gauthier, 103-85.
Award Updates
Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines:
- Harley-Davidson Pole Award: No. 42 Bryan Smith
- McElroy Packaging Lucky 13 Award Winner: No. 1 Jared Mees
- MotoBatt Hard Charger Award Winner: No. 67 Davis Fisher
- Öhlins Fastest Lap Award Winner: No. 73 Doug Lawrence
- Sunoco "Go The Distance" Award Leader: No. 65 Cory Texter (197.5 miles completed)
GNC2:
- Larry and Judy McElroy Rookie of the Race Award Winner: No. 99J Kevin Stollings
- Westside Truck Parts "Just off the Box" Award Winners: No. 27U Jamison Minor (4th), No. 16S Tristan Avery (5th)
- Sunoco "Go The Distance" Award Leader: No. Dylan Morin (136.75 miles completed)
|
FansChoice.tv is the official home for live streaming coverage of AMA Pro Flat Track events. The site also provides coverage of IMSA's development and single-make series, and NASCAR's touring and weekly series. Catch all the action at http://www.FansChoice.tv.
About AMA Pro Flat Track:
AMA Pro Flat Track is the world's premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on AMA Pro Flat Track, please visit www.amaproracing.com/ft/, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or live stream the on-track action on FansChoice.tv.
About AMA Pro Racing:
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.
|
|
For additional information contact:
AMA Pro Racing Communications, (386) 492-1014, communications@amaproracing.com |
|
FansChoice.tv coverage from Round Six at the Springfield Mile I is now available for VOD viewing
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (May 30, 2016) - AMA Pro Flat Track has completed Round 6 at the Springfield Mile I on May 29 where Kawasaki-mounted No. 42 Bryan Smith secured his third Mile win of the season over three-time Grand National Champion No. 1 Jared Mees, while Factory Harley-Davidson rider No.6 Brad Baker came in third.
Also, be sure to watch No. 67 Davis Fisher pilot the new generation Harley-Davidson XG750R into a top 10 finish in the GNC1 Main Event.
VOD coverage of Round 6 for both the Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines and GNC2 classes is now available in high-definition on FansChoice.tv and can be accessed by following the links below.
2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Springfield Mile I:
Other videos from AMA Pro Flat Track can be viewed using the following links:
Photos by: Brian J. Nelson
|
FansChoice.tv is the official home for live streaming coverage of AMA Pro Flat Track events. The site also provides coverage of IMSA's development and single-make series, and NASCAR's touring and weekly series. Catch all the action at http://www.FansChoice.tv.
About AMA Pro Flat Track:
AMA Pro Flat Track is the world's premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on AMA Pro Flat Track, please visit www.amaproracing.com/ft/, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or live stream the on-track action on FansChoice.tv.
About AMA Pro Racing:
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.
|
|
For additional information contact:
AMA Pro Racing Communications, (386) 492-1014, communications@amaproracing.com |
|
+Speedfox+by+his+sponsor+Fred+Jolly+in+1950.+The+AJW+used+a+JAP+engine,.jpg)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment
Keep it nice, but keep them coming!
---Please note---You can leave comments anonymously, but you can also leave them while logged into Google, Yahoo and other platforms.
We'd love to hear from you!
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.