AMA Grand National Series Heads for Peoria, with Tresser as Champ
29 July 1997
R97083 July 28, 1997 For Immediate Release TRESSER RETURNS TO PEORIA AS A CHAMPION AT LAST WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- For years Andy Tresser traveled from Northern California to Peoria, Ill., to try to win one of America's classic motorcycle races -- the Peoria Tourist Trophy. Tresser, who honed his skills racing TT dirt track motorcycle races throughout the West, was always a top contender at Peoria, but despite his best efforts, he was never able to come out a winner until last year. So this Sunday in the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Grand National Series race, the hard-working Tresser finally comes to Peoria as defending champion. Tresser emerged last year from the vacuum left by the departure of nine-time Peoria TT winner Chris Carr, who moved to Harley-Davidson's AMA MBNA Superbike road-racing team. Carr's absence left the Peoria race wide open, and it was Tresser who came through to win the first AMA Grand National of his career. Now the 32-year-old Tresser, who hails from Redwood City, Calif., comes to Peoria as the man to beat. In fact, nearly all of Tresser's 1997 racing efforts have been focused on winning again at Peoria. A true TT specialist, Tresser currently stands 29th in the AMA Grand National point standings, having only one points-paying finish all season. Peoria is the lone surviving Grand National in the once popular TT format, which features a small jump and a right turn on a short dirt track. On the amateur level, TT racing is still going strong on the West Coast, especially in Washington state. That's why many of the top riders this weekend will come from the Pacific Northwest. Will Davis is leading the AMA Grand National Series coming into Peoria with five wins. Davis returns to Peoria after missing last year's race due to injuries. Davis will be looking for his first win at Peoria. Also looking for his first Peoria win after nearly 20 years of trying is defending AMA Grand National champion Scott Parker. Peoria is one of the few Grand National races that Parker has not been able to win. Parker, with 78 career wins, is the all-time winningest rider in the history of AMA Grand National racing. A win at Peoria would fulfill one of Parker's few remaining goals. Ricky Graham and Jay Springsteen will join Tresser as the only past Peoria winners expected to compete this weekend. Two of the most popular racers in the country, Graham and Springsteen are both having excellent seasons and are solidly inside the top ten in the series standings. An AMA Hot Shoe Series race will run on Saturday night before the TT at Peoria Speedway, giving racing fans a full weekend of top racing action. Kenny Coolbeth is leading the 600cc Hot Shoe expert class coming into the Peoria race. Contact: Connie Fleming Phone: (614) 891-2425 Fax: (614) 891-7368 -30-