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AMA: Parker the Surprising Underdog at Quad City Downs

13 August 1998

WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- Having led the American Motorcyclist Association Grand National Dirt Track Series since the Daytona season opener last March, reigning Grand National Champion Scott Parker now finds himself in a surprising position: knocked from the top of the point standings by Corbin Racing Honda rider Rich King.

In fact, the Harley-Davidson-mounted Parker will enter this weekend's Aug. 15 Quad City Downs Half-mile in East Moline, Ill., in series third-place.

The turnabout came after King took the checkers at the Aug. 8 race on the half-mile oval at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., where Parker finished a disappointing 11th. The results propelled King into the series lead with 185 season points. King now leads Parker now by an 11-point margin.

An eight-time Grand National Champion, Parker will surely be giving his all at the Quad City race in an attempt to regain the series lead. Parker has set his sights on two goals this season: capturing a record ninth title, and a record five consecutive titles. With nearly three-quarters of the season behind him, Parker cannot afford to rest on his laurels.

Parker also needs to keep an eye on Harley-Davidson of Sacramento rider Chris Carr, who is currently in series second-place, just nine points behind King. Carr finished third at Route 66, taking his eighth podium finish of the season.

Will Davis of Goldsboro, N.C., placed second at Joliet and maintained his fourth-place spot in the overall standings, just 25 points out of first place.

The Quad City Downs Half-mile race has a full slate of off-track activities, thanks to sponsors Wiebler's Harley-Davidson, Walter Brothers Harley-Davidson, Budweiser, Pepsi and Hooters.

A swap meet and ride-in custom bike show are scheduled for the event. Dynojet will be on site, offering performance analysis, and a local celebrity mini-bike race will be held during intermission. Stunt driver Bubba Blackwell will attempt to jump 18 cars on the front straight, and a fireworks display will top off the day's activities.

Gates open at 1:30 p.m. with qualifying heats at 2:30. The pits will open for an autograph session from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., with opening ceremonies scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

Tickets can be obtained by calling (309) 793 FAST or at participating dealers.

1998 AMA GRAND NATIONAL DIRT TRACK SERIES POINT STANDINGS

Pos.       Pts.    No.     Rider Name, hometown
1       185     80      Rich King, Dysart, IA
2       176     4       Chris Carr, Fleetwood, PA
3       174     1       Scott Parker, Swartz Creek, MI
4       160     21      Will Davis, Goldsboro, NC
5       100     9       Jay Springsteen, Lapeer, MI
6       97      42      Steve Morehead, Findlay, OH
7       95      43      Joe Kopp, Mica, WA
8       84      11      Bryan Bigelow, Au Gres, MI
9       83      66      George Roeder II, Monroeville, OH
10      81      89      Kevin Varnes, New Holland, PA
11      81      67      Mike Hacker, Price George, VA
12      62      10      Dan Stanley, Bellingham, WA
13      57      27      David Camlin, Rock Island, IL
14      52      41      Brett Landes, Los Gatos, CA
15      52      69C     Nicky Hayden, Owensboro, KY
16      52      22      Daniel Butler, Waterford, MI
17      38      83      Paul Morgan III, Centralia, IL
18      36      18      Terry Poovey, Euless, TX
19      36      15      Chris Evans, Ontario, CAN
20      36      26      Stephen Beattie, Canada, ON