AMA Pro Flat Track Partners with Dunlop & Mr. Sign to Sponsor Fastest Rider Award in Expert & Pro Series Grand National Mile Events for 2014

AMA Pro Flat Track along with Dunlop & Mr. Sign upped the ante for the 2014 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season late yesterday with the announcement that a new fastest rider award will be presented in the Expert and Pro Series events at each of the six mile races this season.

Beginning with tomorrow's first Twins Series event of the year at the Springfield Mile I, the rider with the fastest lap at each of the Grand National mile races this season will be gifted with a new set of Dunlop CD-series tires for their efforts. With current tire prices what they are for the teams and riders, that amounts to the equivalent of roughly $410/set, which may not seem like a lot of extra dough, but in terms of extra costs incurred during a normal season of racing, every little bit helps and this is a great step in helping out the teams and riders with event costs to participate.

In the shot above, the talented Shayna Texter gives the fans her million dollar smile after taking the first of her two wins in the Basic Twins Series race at the Springfield Mile I on August 31 in round 10 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season.

Aboard the #25A Racing Unlimited/Crosley Radio Kawasaki, the little gal from Pennsylvania with a boat load of talent ran away with the first win in the newly-created series in front of a packed house at the Illinois State Fairgrounds over the Labor Day weekend last season. Shayna will be making her Expert Twins Series debut tomorrow aboard the factory-backed Latus Motorsports Triumph Bonneville, and will be looking to put it on the boys in what will be a great day of racing at the iconic church of speed at the Illinois State capital track.

Check out the full press release below from AMA Pro Flat Track as we get ready to watch the action tomorrow as the teams, sponsors, riders and fans flock to Springfield for the big season opener for The Rolling Thunder Show's big bikes.

The Dunlop "Accelerate Your Soul Award" Presented by Mr. Sign to be Awarded to Select AMA Pro Flat Track Riders Throughout 2014 Season

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 23, 2014) - AMA Pro Racing is proud to announce its agreement to partner with Dunlop and Mr. Sign as the co-sponsors of AMA Pro Flat Track's "Accelerate Your Soul Award" for the 2014 season. The award, a free set of Dunlop tires, will go to the Expert or Pro rider with the fastest lap of the day at each AMA Pro Flat Track mile race.       Jake Johnson #5, Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. #2 and Stevie Bonsey #80 celebrate on the podium after their 2-1-3 finishes at the Daytona Short Track II event on March 14. AMA Pro Flat Track announced late yesterday that they will be partnering with Dunlop and Mr. Sign to sponsor a new award for the 2014 season that will honor the fastest rider of the event in both the Expert and Pro ranks and reward them with a new set of tires at each of the six mile events. AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig.         "We're very grateful that Dunlop and Mr. Sign teamed up to develop this award for our AMA Pro Flat Track riders," said Michael Gentry, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. "Dunlop is a well-known brand that makes an exceptional tire and I'm sure our winning riders will be very thankful for their generosity."   "Accelerate your soul" has been Dunlop's tagline for a few years now because it really captures so well why we ride," said Les Washbon, Motorsports Technician of Dunlop Tires. "Dunlop is glad to extend our involvement with AMA Pro Flat Track with this extra award at the miles to recognize a rider who has worked hard enough to have the fastest lap that day."   There are six scheduled mile-long races on the 2014 calendar. A list that includes the upcoming legendary Springfield Mile on May 25, the newly reinstated Sacramento Mile scheduled to be held on July 26, the Indy Mile on August 8, the Virginia Mega Mile on Aug. 23, the second running of the Springfield Mile on Aug. 31, and the Santa Rosa Mile on Sept. 28.   As part of the agreement, Mr. Sign produced and donated air fence signage for display on track at AMA Pro Flat Track events. A lifetime AMA member, David Lenkowsky, Owner of Mr. Sign, is a long-time supporter of the sport of motorcycle racing and is happy to have this opportunity to once again give back to the Flat Track community. Through the years, Mr. Sign has helped many Flat Track riders both financially and with product support.    How to Watch  FansChoice.tv will be the official home for live streaming coverage of AMA Pro Flat Track and AMA Pro Road Racing events in 2014. The site will also provide coverage of IMSA's development and single-make series, and NASCAR's touring and weekly series. Produced coverage of every session from this weekend's Springfield Mile will be live streamed on FansChoice.tv. Practice and qualifying will begin Sunday morning at 11:15 a.m. EST (8:15 a.m. PST) with opening ceremonies scheduled for 2:00 p.m. EST (11:00 a.m. PST). Tune in for the 12-lap Pro Twins main event at 4:30 p.m. EST (1:30 p.m. PST) and stick around for the grand finale, the 25-lap GNC Twins main event at 5:00 p.m. EST (2:00 p.m. PST). Visit http://www.fanschoice.tv to catch all the action. About AMA Pro Flat Track AMA Pro Flat Track is a national motorcycle racing series in North America and is considered one of the oldest forms of motorcycle racing. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, the Series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track racing in the world. The 2014 schedule consists of 16 rounds on the country's finest flat track courses. For more information on AMA Pro Flat Track, please visit www.amaproracing.com/ft.   About Dunlop   Dunlop is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S. and the only manufacturer of motorcycle tires in North America. With North American operations located in Buffalo, NY, Dunlop has been making and selling high-quality tires in the U.S. since 1923. For more information, visit www.dunlopmotorcycle.com.

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

AMA Pro Flat Track: IMDA Announces Return of Basic Twins Class to Springfield Mile I for May 25, 2014 Event

The IMDA announced on Friday that the Basic Twins Class will be returning to the program for the Springfield Mile I over the Memorial Day weekend on May 25, 2014 as part of the annual spring trek to the Illinois State Fairgrounds by AMA Pro Flat Track.

The series, which was announced originally back in April '13, incorporates a 'slimmed down' version of the Twins Series class as seen and raced by the Experts. It made it's debut during the Springfield Mile I & II rounds over the Labor Day weekend and proved to be a very competitive series (after you take away the runaway wins by Pro Singles phenom Shayna Texter on the Crosley Radio/Racing Unlimited Kawasaki.)

In the shot above, Shayna on the #25A Crosley Radio/Racing Unlimited Kawasaki leads Justin Zeigler on the #89F Ben Breece Harley-Davidson/Zeigler's Garage-sponsored XR750 with eventual 2nd-place finisher Cody Johncox on the #96B Sunnyside Cycle/Top Gun Construction-backed XR working to keep Streaking Shayna in sight during heat race 1 at the Springfield Mile II on September 1. The series made it's debut during rounds 10 & 11 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship.

3rd-place finisher Jason Isennock, Shayna Texter and 2nd-place finisher Cody Johncox stand on the podium while Johncox is interviewed by AMA Pro Flat Track announcer Barry Boone after the 12-lap main event in the Basic Twins Class in race two of the series' debut at the Springfield Mile doubleheader round over the Labor Day Weekend.

Texter took her two-off ride on the #25A Racing Unlimited Kawasaki and turned the wick up for both wins over the weekend to show she more than has what it takes to compete on a big bike after campaigning the Pro Singles Championship series in the last five seasons.

You can check out the full press release below courtesy of the IMDA, and make sure to get the date set on your calendar for what will be another great weekend at the mecca of speed on the Illinois State Fairgrounds mile oval as The Rolling Thunder Show returns for another season of racing in the fight for the 2014 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship.


Press release courtesy of the IMDA

AMA Pro Flat Track Set to Bring Back Basic Twins Class on May 25, 2014 for Springfield Mile

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (November 22, 2013) - It wouldn't be a complete season if AMA Pro Flat Track didn't visit Springfield, Ill. The legendary Springfield Mile has served as one of the most historic venues and is considered to be one of the most coveted wins on the circuit. In addition to the usual AMA Pro Grand National Experts races set to be held, the AMA Pro Basic Twins class will also roll off the trucks at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on May 25, 2014, and this go-around is sure to add even more excitement to the legacy of the storied event.

Last season marked the debut of the AMA Pro Basic Twins class. A class specifically designed for Pro Singles riders that have the aspiration of one day competing at the Grand National Expert level. The stepping stone division provides a way for the Pro Singles riders to get a feel for the powerful twin-cylinder motorcycles at the professional level without the added pressure of competing against the already proven Grand National Experts.
 
In both of her opportunities, Shayna Texter excelled in AMA Pro Basic Twins competition, winning both races by a combined 15.691 seconds on her Crosley Radio Kawasaki. Texter's monster victories proved it's only a matter of time before the female phenomenon graduates to the elite Grand National Expert level.

Texter's domination in Basic Twins at Springfield last season was partially overshadowed by Brandon Robinson's two Grand National Expert victories at the iconic venue. Robinson's sweep also came on a Kawasaki and the Oxford, Penn. native catapulted himself into the championship picture as the 2013 season came to a close.

Though Robinson came up a little short in the Grand National Championship, finishing third in the overall final point standings, his two victories at Springfield last season, along with his early-season win at Daytona to start the year, helped him collect more wins than any Grand National Expert rider in 2013.

The event will be the first of two scheduled races at Springfield, with the second set to run on Labor Day Weekend of 2014. For tickets and more information, please visit http://www.illinoismda.com/ or call 217-753-8866.

Round 12 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship Happens Today at the Santa Rosa Mile

In just a few short minutes, the riders in The Rolling Thunder Show will be hitting the track for the first round of practice at the Santa Rosa Mile in round 12 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season, in what will be the penultimate round of the season with just the Pomona Half-Mile Flat Track Finals season finale to run on Saturday, October 12.

The season has seen it's share of ups-and-downs for the series, including two overall championship points leaders (Brandon Robinson and Brad Baker), two event cancellations (Lima due to a rain out, and the Grays Harbor Half-Mile due to what appeared to be a promoter prematurely pulling out due to lack of interest just days before the event's running) and a rain postponement (the Springfield Mile I over Memorial Day weekend relegated to the doubleheader round hosting over the Labor Day weekend.)

But in spite of those issues and a lack of a title sponsor for the Grand National series and no television coverage this year, the series' has seen a stellar year of racing overall throughout.  Several highlights have included Brandon Robinson winning his first-ever AMA Grand National race at the Daytona Short Track II, and then coming back strong as ever and totally dominating to win the doubleheader round at the Springfield Mile just four short weeks ago.

Brad Baker also won his first-ever championship event earlier this summer at Hagerstown, where he also wrestled the overall points standings lead away from BRob44, which he has held since, but now heading into today's last mile event of the season having been whittled down to just 10-points.

Defending series champion Jared Mees, who suffered a broken arm in a regional race early in June, forcing him to miss the Hagerstown round, has fought his way back into contention and pulled off the win in mid-August at the new event at Colonial Downs.  The new event also saw a standing room only crowd on-hand in Kent, VA. with the promoters of the event very happy with the crowd and racing and hoping to return for the 2014 season as well.

In late July, 2-Time AMA Grand National Champion Jake Johnson decided he wasn't having as 'much fun' as he had been and abruptly left the Zanotti Racing team, who promptly picked up stand out west coast rider Steve Bonsey to fill their XR750 seat.  Johnson then announced he would be riding for the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports Ducati team alongside rider Henry Wiles.

And just less then a week after the Springfield Mile doubleheader, Wiles was released from the LBM team while setting in the 4th-place spot in the championship standings.  Wiles has announced he will be aboard a Harley-Davidson XR750 at the final two rounds of the season, but has not confirmed as of yet on what team or bike that will be on.  We'll all find out in just a few short minutes on that one.

Things however are improving on the circuit in terms of AMA Pro Flat Track working towards signing a title sponsor for the 2014 season.  AMA Pro Flat Track manager Dan Johnsen confirmed to us at both the Indy Mile and Springfield Mile doubleheader rounds that they are in talks with two or three companies that are very interested in coming on board for next year and that things are coming along well in terms of signing one of them to helm the overall sponsorship of the Grand National Expert side of the series.  And the folks on Fentress Blvd. in Daytona have also been working with a television crew and have been doing some filming that is reportedly to be shown on either CBS Sports Net or NBC Sports Net sometime in the late fall.

So in spite of all the complaining and moaning coming from the couches of some people that still can't face the reality that economic times and changes have affected everyone, but especially flat track, the series still offers the best racing on two wheels in the world, and all the bi..hing and complaining is doing no one any good nor getting any results.  Do you have a complaint?  Then air it out in a positive way that would help to bring something to the table to help the series and the teams, riders and sponsors.  If you don't have something constructive or positive to help build or promote the racing, your airing it out on some forum or on FB isn't doing any good, is not helping the racing or the series, and bottom line is making you look a fool.  And it is also keeping and driving out potential sponsors and dollars for the sport that these companies are looking at who don't want to throw their money at a series that has a bunch of whiny cry baby fans who talk from their keyboards and their couches, most of whom most likely haven't been to one of the great events in years, or longer, in The Rolling Thunder Show, to take in the great program that is still being put on by AMA Pro Flat Track and all of their great race promoters.

But today is about the racing, and if you aren't in Santa Rosa you can still catch in online as Will Fulford of The Fast and Dirty.com along with Circle Bell Motorsports, the west coast equivalent of the IMDA, will be offering live streaming pay-per-view for those of you who DO want to watch the races and not complain and moan about it.  You can sign up to watch it via this link, and will be WELL worth your hard-earned $4.99, believe me, as Will does some of the best work in the business and has gone above and beyond in bringing great coverage of the races in the past few seasons and with this year's earlier PPV event from the Sacto Mile.  If you're a fan, DON'T miss it!

So get ready to strap in and hang on as the boys and girls of The Rolling Thunder Show get ready to hit the track at 1:15 PM EDT/10:15 AM PDT for the first practice of the day at the Santa Rosa Mile.

In the shot above from the Springfield Mile II on September 1, six of the riders in the shot are the top-6 in the championship standings and will be battling it out today to see who comes home the champion of the Santa Rosa Mile and eventually of the season on October 12 in Pomona.

(L-R)  Brandon Robinson on the #44 TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki, Henry Wiles on the #17 Lloyd Brothers Motorsports XR750, Kenny Coolbeth, Jr, on the #2 Harley-Davidson Motor Company XR, Bryan Smith on the #42 Howerton Motorsports Kawi, Jared Mees on the #1 Rogers Racing XR, and Mikey Martin on the #91 Bonneville Performance Triumph fill out the front row.

Brad Baker on the #12 Dodge Brothers Racing XR has them in his sight coming off of the second row.

Baker leads the championship standings with 184 points going into Santa Rosa today, with Smith 10 markers back with 174, Robinson just another 3 points back in 3rd-place, Wiles just 12-points back in 4th-place with 159 points, Mees just one point back in 5th with 158 points, and Coolbeth sitting in the 6th-place spot with 131 points. 

It's going to be a great battle to the finish!

Shayna Texter will be looking to win her 5th mile event of the season today in the AMA Pro J&P Cycles Pro Singles series after winning the Sacto and Indy Miles earlier in the season and also taking the doubleheader wins in the newly announced Basic Twins Series at Springfield over the Labor Day weekend.

Although her wins at Springfield four weeks ago aboard the #25A Racing Unlimited Kawasaki didn't count for points on the season, her dominance on the mile tracks has more then shown this young lady belongs on an Expert Twins Series machine riding with the big boys, as she smoked the competition in both events by wide margins.

Keep an eye out for Shayna today as her record on mile tracks this season is virtually unblemished (she narrowly lost the Colonial Downs Mile in mid-August to take 2nd-place in the Pro Singles race in Virginia) and her prowess with either of the machines she has ridden this year has been spectacular, to say the least.

In the shot above, Shayna acknowledges the crowd at Springfield after taking her first of two wins over the Labor Day weekend in the Basic Twins Series on August 31 over Cody Johncox and Jason Isennock on the #25A Racing Unlimited Kawasaki.

Shayna will be back aboard her usual mount, the #25A Crosley Radio/Howerton Motorsports Honda today in Santa Rosa while she looks to hunt the boys down again.

Enjoy the races today and remember, keep supporting the best racing on two wheels in the world because if you don't, it may not be there TO support someday!

AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Preview Santa Rosa Mile

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (September 27, 2013) -  For the third time this year, the superstars of AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles will collide in California to battle it out on west-coast soil in the second-to-last event of the season. Opening ceremonies for the 2013 rendition of the legendary Santa Rosa Mile will kick off at 1:00 p.m. local time this Sunday, September 29, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, Calif.

 

 

Jared Mees on the #1 Rogers Racing H-D XR750 leads Brad Baker on the #12 Dodge Brothers Racing XR during an event earlier in the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season. Baker holds a 10-point lead in the overall championship standings heading into today's penultimate round of the season over Bryan Smith, and 13-points over Brandon Robinson. Mees sits 26-points back from Baker while still holding a mathematical chance to retain his 2012 AMA Grand National Championship. AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig.

 

 

 

 

Dryad, Wash.'s Brad Baker (Dodge Bros Racing) enters Round 12 as the overall Grand National Expert points leader, 10 points ahead of archrival and Flint, Mich. product Bryan Smith (Crosley Radio). Baker, who just recorded his first win at the Grand National Expert level earlier this season, has never been this close to the coveted title before in his career and it will be interesting to see how the 20-year-old keeps his composure under the heavy pressure he will face at Santa Rosa this weekend.

 

If there were ever a time for Smith to take advantage of Baker's small amount of breathing room in the points, it will almost certainly be this weekend as this will be Smith's last hack at a mile-long course. Smith makes his money on tracks like Santa Rosa and he will surely be gunning for that top spot on Sunday as he not only tries to overtake Baker in the overall GNC points chase, but also maintain his five-point lead over Oxford, Pa.'s Brandon Robinson (TJ Burnett Farms) in the GNC Expert Twins point standings.

 

Robinson enters the weekend third in the overall GNC standings after completing a weekend sweep by scoring both victories in this year's Springfield doubleheader. After landing on the podium in each of his last four races, and having earned more wins than any other rider on the circuit this season with three, there's no doubt that Robinson will head into California with a boat load of confidence, and for good reason.

 

Last season's Santa Rosa Mile victor and Graham, Wash. native Sammy Halbert (Flat Track Live) will race this weekend for the first time since the Peoria TT in August. Halbert has been recovering from concussion-like symptoms that kept him from being able to compete in the last few rounds, but the Harley-Davidson-mounted competitor has been cleared to ride and looks to repeat the success he had a year ago at the Northern California venue.

 

Defending Grand National Champion and Clio, Mich. product Jared Mees isn't mathematically out of contention for this year's crown, but the stars would have to align just right. Mees currently sits fifth in the point standings, 25 points behind Baker. One bright spot for the defending champ, however, is that he finished in second-place at the Santa Rosa Mile a year ago and will look to one-up last season's performance with a victory on Sunday.

 

AMA Pro J&P Cycles Pro Singles

 

After dominating during a quick stint in AMA Pro Basic Twins competition at Springfield, Willow Street, Pa.'s Shayna Texter (Crosley Radio) will be back on her single-cylinder Honda CRF450R for the J&P Cycles Pro Singles portion of the Santa Rosa Mile. Texter placed eighth in the 12-lap shootout last year and will certainly be looking for better results this time around as she currently sits in fourth in the J&P Cycles Pro Singles point standings.

 

Current J&P Cycles points leader Wyatt Maguire (Kirkland Racing) has had consistent performances week in and week out, allowing the Mead, Wash. native a slim lead in the points chase with just two races remaining. Maguire leads nearest rival Ryan Wells by 5 points, 121-116, and the duo have been battling for the top spot all season long. Expect the two to be in the front pack of riders yet again at Santa Rosa, both with hopes of claiming their first AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles championship. Defending J&P Cycles Pro Singles Champion Stephen Vanderkuur remains 19 points back from Maguire and will need to be absolutely perfect this weekend if he plans on giving himself any kind of chance to defend his title. Nevertheless, the Davison, Mich. native will arrive in Santa Rosa with confidence this weekend, having claimed victory here one year ago by a margin of over nine full seconds.

 

Tickets

 

For tickets and more information regarding this weekend's Santa Rosa Mile, scheduled for Sunday, September 29, 2013, please visit http://www.circlebellmotorsports.com/.

 

Live Streaming and Premium Access PPV

 

For fans that are unable to attend, AMA Pro Racing will be live streaming multiple channels of in-depth and behind-the-scenes multimedia content from the Santa Rosa Mile on the AMA Pro Live streaming video website. AMA Pro Live puts fans in the director's chair, allowing them to choose from a variety of viewpoints while listening in on series PA announcers Barry Boone and Scottie Deubler. Alongside the streaming video content, AMA Pro Live features Live Timing & Scoring data and play-by-play commentary via Twitter. Log on and tune in at http://www.amaprolive.com/ft/.

 

In addition to the live streaming cameras that have been offered at each round of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles season, Circle Bell Motorsports recently announced that this year's Santa Rosa Mile will also feature full-production live streaming in a Premium Access Pay-Per-View (PPV) format. Just as they did at this year's thrilling Sacramento Mile, Circle Bell Motorsports will have a full broadcast production crew on hand at the Santa Rosa Mile to provide AMA Pro Flat Track fans around the world with all the live racing action. 

 

Beginning at 10:15 a.m. PT (1:15 p.m. ET), fans will be able to tune in and watch free live streaming of timed practice and opening ceremonies. At the end of Opening Ceremonies, at approximately 1:00 p.m. PT (4:00 p.m. ET), Premium Access PPV live streaming will be made available for $4.99. Fans can stream the Premium Access PPV broadcast for $4.99 by purchasing a ticket on race day at http://www.amaprolive.com/ft/ or in advance at http://ustre.am/12oOf.

 

Social Media

 

Keep up with AMA Pro Flat Track on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AMAProFlatTrackSeries and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/AMAProFlatTrack.  

 

About AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles

 

AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles is a national motorcycle racing series in North America. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, the Series is one of the oldest forms of motorcycle racing and is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track racing in the world. The 2013 schedule consists of rounds on the country's finest dirt track courses. For more information on AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles, please visit www.amaproracing.com/ft.

 

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

AMA Pro Flat Track Reviews the Season-Opening Rounds of the J&P Cycles Pro Singles Championship

The rising stars of the AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Singles Championship Series head into turn one at the start of their National main in round 9 of the 2012 AMA Pro Singles Championship at the Peoria TT on August 12, in the first of 12 laps around the confines of the Peoria Motorcycle Club facility.

Justin Reed on the #53L Rich King Racing KTM 450 SX-F appears to have a slight lead from the start, going on to finish in 3rd-place to round out the podium.  First-time series winner Dominic Colindres on the #66Y Weirbach Racing Honda CRF450R hugs the inside line in route to taking over the lead to take his first-ever win in the series while in his first ride for the team.

Jason Isennock on the #30S Highs Dairy Stores Honda (7th-place finish) holds it tight on the outside of Colindres, while Rodney Spencer, Jr. on the #74Z 831 Pinnit Honda (4th-place) looks to have the advantage on Nick Mataya on the #12L Shoe Racing Honda (5th-place), with Kurtis Lee on the #78J TCR Honda (14th-place) appearing to have lost his edge on the outside as the pack bunches up.

Coming on strong in the back are Jake Shoemaker on the #55A Montgomeryville Cycle Center Honda (6th-place), Dan Bromley on the #54A Bob Weirbach Race Team Honda (17th-place), and eventual 2012 AMA Pro Singles Champion Steven Vanderkuur just coming into the shot on the #10J Parkinson Brothers Racing Honda (2nd-place) as they lead the rest of the 18-rider main on a 12-lap romp in the hallowed halls of Peoria.

In it's fourth season of competition, the AMA Pro Singles Championship has turned out some spectacular talent from what is the 'feeder' series of the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship.  All of the series' first three champions (Brad Baker '09, Jeffrey Carver, Jr. '10, Mikey Martin '11) are now racing in the big show of The Rolling Thunder Show, and providing some serious competition for their fellow Expert-ranked riders in what is arguably the best racing series on two wheels in the world.

The 2013 AMA Pro J&P Cycles Pro Singles Championship season got off to another roaring start at Daytona last week, and saw two new winners in each of the two opening rounds held at the Daytona International Speedway.  And the field of talent is just as deep, if not deeper, for what is the series' fifth-full season of competition.  And the big question now is, who will try to take the crown away from Vanderkuur, or will the series see it's first two-time champion when the season wraps up in Pomona many months from now?

Read on below to see AMA Pro Flat Track's review of the season-openers and see if any of the possible future Grand National Champions finished up at the top where you may have expected them to....or not!

Johnson, Constantine Each Claim Victories in Opening Rounds of AMA Pro J&P Cycles Pro Singles Action at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla (March 22, 2013) - Michigan's Kyle Johnson (Boughner Racing / Muskegon Motorcycle Gang) got off the line first in the 16 lap AMA Pro J&P Cycles Pro Singles first round main event at the DAYTONA Flat Track on March 14, 2013. However, Johnson was quickly passed by a charging Maryland product in Mike Poe (Jason Isennock / CCBC / Blevins).

 

Johnson stayed glued to Poe as he became the meat in a Maryland sandwich, with Jason Isennock, also a native of the "Old Line State," (Highs Dairy Stores / Foard Racing) right on their heels.  On lap eleven, Johnson was able to capitalize on a mistake by Poe to recapture the lead. Once obtaining the top spot, Johnson built his lead and clinched his first ever professional victory.

 

"I was just being patient and waiting for him to make a mistake," Johnson said. "Once I got up on the inside of the leader I got a good drive and took him on the straight away. I couldn't be more satisfied with the way I performed tonight. My bike was unbelievable and everything really came together when it mattered most. I reclaimed the lead late in the race and that was all I needed to close it out."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ryan Wells on the #94B Waters Auto Body Honda appears to have the inside line ahead of Shayna Texter on the #25A Crosley Radio Honda during racing action at rounds 1 & 2 of the 2013 AMA Pro J&P Cycles Pro Singles Championship season at the Daytona Short Track last week.  The close, fast racing in the 'feeder' series for the AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship saw two first-time winners at Daytona in Kyle Johnson and Jake Constantine and lays the groundwork for what will surely be another great season of racing for the future stars of the sport.  AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig.

 

 

Final results 1-10: 1st - Kyle Johnson, 2nd - Jason Isennock, 3rd - Mike Poe, 4th - Brandon Wilhelm, 5th - Rodney Spencer Jr., 6th - Ryan Wells, 7th - Hunter Taylor, 8th - Dan Bromley, 9th - Jake Constantine, 10th - Wyatt Maguire

 

AMA Pro J&P Cycles Pro Singles - Round 2

 

Jake Constantine stormed around the outside of fellow New Yorker Ryan Wells at the start of the 16 lap AMA Pro J&P Cycles Pro Singles main event and rode to a convincing second round win on his Allphase Masonry & Chimney / Matt's Cycle Center backed Honda. Wells tried to stay close, but the lead grew to over one second by the halfway point and over two seconds by the end of the race.

 

"I can't even explain how I feel right now," said an ecstatic Constantine. "To come down here and win it all is the best feeling in the world. It feels great to be on this podium, let alone be at the top of it! This win was huge for me and my team because of how bad we struggled last night in the opener. I can't thank everyone enough for helping me out; this feeling is so surreal right now."

 

Wells maintained a solid second place position throughout the race, while Thursday night's third place finisher, Mike Poe, worked his way forward taking third place yet again after passing Wyatt Maguire (Kirkland Racing / Pro1racingheads.com) on lap 12.

 

There is a log jam at the top of the AMA Pro J&P Cycles Pro Singles point standings. Jake Constantine holds a single point lead over Mike Poe with Kyle Johnson and Ryan Wells another point back. Jason Isennock remains in fifth, seven points off the lead.

Final results 1-10: 1st - Jake Constantine, 2nd - Ryan Wells, 3rd - Mike Poe, 4th - Wyatt Maguire, 5th - Stephen Vanderkuur, 6th - Dominic Collindres, 7th - Gerit Callies, 8th - Rodney Spencer Jr., 9th - Brandon Wilhelm, 10th - Kyle Johnson
 

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

Gerit Callies Tops the AMA Pro Flat Track Motorcycle Superstore.com Pro Singles Final at the DuQuoin Indoor Short Track



Gerit Callies took his #76L Full Throttle/Gillespie Small Engine.com-sponsored Honda CRF450R to his second win of the 2011 season in the AMA Pro Flat Track Motorcycle Superstore.com Pro Singles event inside the bullring at the Southern Illinois Center in DuQuoin, IL. last Saturday.  In winning his heat and the 20 lap final, Callies bested a 48 rider turn-out, of which 32 qualified for the Four Rivers H-D sponsored race. 
Callies added to his 2nd/1st place finishes from the season opener at Daytona to take a 14 point lead in the Pro Singles standings heading to rounds 4 and 5 at the Salinas Sports Complex this weekend in California.  The young man is off to a great start after placing 13th in the overall standings in the 2010 Pro Singles Championship.
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Hayden Gillim, Gerit Callies and Jason Isennock gather up their hardware after the podium celebrations in the Pro Singles Series at DuQuoin after celebrating their 2/1/3 finishes after the 20 lap Pro Singles Main event.  After the DuQuoin round, Gillim sits 4th in the Pro Singles Championship with 39 points, Callies leads with 67 points, and Isennock is in 5th place with 33 points, with 18 more rounds scheduled for the 2011 season.
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Heat race action inside the Southern Illinois Center at DuQuoin, IL. shows William Cato leading on his #35C Shoe Racing/Sportland Motorsports-backed Honda CRF450R over #91Y Mikey Martin on his Weirbach Racing/General Engineering-sponsored Honda CRF450R.  Following are #69C Hayden Gillim on his Bell Helmets/34 Racing-backed Honda CRF450R and #55A Jake Shoemaker on his Scott Powersports/Penske Suspension-sponsored Suzuki RMZ450.  They would finish 1,2,3,4 in the second Pro Singles heat.  Cato led part of the final before sliding out and remounting to finish 14th, Martin would finish 4th in the final, Gillim 3rd and Shoemaker in 8th place.
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After only qualifying for two events in the 2010 AMA Pro Flat Track Motorcycle Superstore.com Pro Singles Championship, Jason Isennock is starting off the 2011 season with a pretty big bang.  Riding what was reportedly a stock Suzuki RMZ450, the #30S Ellicottcity Motorsports/Foard Racing-sponsored rider is sitting in the 5th position in the 2011 Pro Singles Championship.  Jason kept eventual winner Callies honest in the final at DuQuoin, following him closely home but just coming up .404 seconds back after 20 hard fought laps.  He is supposedly been looking for a ride for the Salinas doubleheader this weekend, and with this young man's talent it would be a shame NOT to see him get one!
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Here's the full list of results for round 3 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Motorcycle Superstore.com Pro Singles event inside the Southern Illinois Center at DuQuoin, IL.:

http://amaproracing.com/ft/events/results.cfm?year=2011&eid=2011021110&discipline=FT&class=PS&type=F&rnum=1&class_sort=all
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