AMA: Storied Tradition takes to the track in Springfield, Illinois
24 May 2000
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- As the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track
Championships crank into full swing, all eyes turn to the famed Springfield
Mile in Illinois for the May 28 round of the series. The Springfield Mile's
fast surface and wide turns make for 130-mph racing on the straights, while
the track's legendary draft makes for numerous lead changes every lap.
Picking a winner at Springfield is always tough, but the favorites have to
include a number of the series' top stars.
Springfield will offer a chance to shine for Harley Davidson rider
Rich King. King of Dysart, Iowa, is no stranger to the Springfield Mile
podium, logging his first win there during the Sept., 5 round of the 1999
season.
King will have plenty of competition as defending champion Chris Carr
continues his quest for a repeat championship. Carr has captured the No. 1
spot at Springfield twice, and he still holds the race record for the
25-lap event, finishing in 14 minutes 26.77 seconds in May of 1995. Fans
will also get to see road-racer/flat-tracker Larry Pegram trade his Ducati
996 Superbike to race a Harley- Davidson XR750 backed by his Competition
Accessories team.
Springfield also marks the inaugural Harley-Davidson Sportster
Performance event of the 2000 season. On hand will be Richardson, Texas
native and current series champion Willie McCoy, aboard his DPC Racing 883.
McCoy is comfortable at Springfield, having finished 3rd during the May
1999 round, and he'll be looking for his first win on the Mile track.
But McCoy will have to negotiate a field of talented riders, including
up-and-coming star Roger Lee Hayden of Owensboro, Ky. The youngest of the
Hayden boys showed great improvement on the Mile track, placing 16th during
the May 1999 round and then moving up 10 places for 6th overall during the
Fall 1999 round. Oshkosh, Wis,. native and two-time Springfield Mile
Sportster Performance winner Bret Beyer will add to the excitement.
While at the Springfield Mile be sure to stop by the Progressive
Insurance tent, near the Grand Stand entrance, for rider autograph
sessions, video games, free magnetized schedules, posters and other
giveaway items. Once there you can Support the Sport by calling
1-800-FLAT-TRACK on the hotline or by receiving an on-line quote on the
Progressive computer. Don't forget, for ever quote made through
1-800-FLAT-TRACK, Progressive pays $1.00 into the rider point fund.
Qualifying heats begin at 11:15 a.m. with Opening Ceremonies at 1 p.m.
For ticket information call (217) 753-8866. The race will be broadcast
Monday, June 19, at 6 p.m. EST on ESPN2. The Harley Davidson Sportster
Performance event will air Thursday, June 29, at 6:30 p.m. EST on ESPN2.
Check local listings as broadcast times may vary.
For immediate post-race results, rider information, AMA Pro Racing
notes and news, check www.amaproracing.com
2000 AMA PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE U.S. FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS
POS PTS NUM RIDER, HOMETOWN MACH
1 23 18 TERRY POOVEY, EULESS, TX ROT
2 19 43 JOE J KOPP, MICA, WA ROT
3 16 41 BRETT LANDES, LOS GATOS, CA ATK
4 15 9 JAY SPRINGSTEEN, LAPEER, MI ROT
5 14 1 CHRIS CARR, FLEETWOOD, PA ROT
6 13 33 GLEN JR SCHNABEL, WEST BEND, WI WR
7 12 21 WILLIAM DAVIS, GOLDSBORO, NC ATK
8 11 31 KEN COOLBETH JR, WARREN, CT WR
9 10 11 BRYAN BIGELOW, AU GRES, MI ROT
10 9 59 WILLIE MCCOY, RICHARDSON, TX ATK
11 8 24 MICHAEL VARNES, READING, PA HD
12 7 81A ROY MILLER, NEW HOLLAND, PA ROT
13 6 10 DAN STANLEY, BELLINGHAM, WA ATK
14 5 19 PAUL LYNCH, BEL AIR, MD HD
15 4 26 STEPHEN J BEATTIE, CANADA, ON ATK
16 3 47C GREG G TYSOR, CUMMING, GA ROT
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