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AMA: Riders open throttles at Mineralwells

16 June 2000

     PICKERINGTON, Ohio --  The racers of the AMA Progressive Insurance

U.S. Flat Track Championships will storm West Virginia Motor Speedway in

Mineralwells, W.V., this weekend June 17,  for round four of the series.

The action should be hot as top riders in the Grand National class mount

their 750 twins for the first time since the Springfield Mile, three weeks

ago.

     Goldsboro, N.C., native Will Davis seems to have the edge at Mineral

Wells, taking the No.1 spot three times in the last seven years. With

41-points, Will is a solid fourth in the point standings,   just 15 points

out of the lead. Davis, on his Moroney's Harley-Davidson XR750, will have

his hands full with the hard-charging pack of riders who make up the

series.

     Defending Champion Chris Carr is also likely to be in the mix at

Mineralwells. Carr, of Fleetwood, Penn., took the No. 2 spot last year and

has finished in the top 5 in every event this season, and he leads all

riders in the points battle with 56 points.

     Right on Carr's rear wheel is Euless, Texas, native Terry Poovey,

11points back. Joe Kopp, of Mica, Wash., is in third, three points farther

back. Kopp has been hot this season, taking second place honors in two of

three events thus far.

     The Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance racers will also take to the

track at Mineralwells. After the tight turns of last week's Topeka, Kansas

short-track, the riders should be ready to open the throttle at

Mineralwells. Topeka winner and points leader Brian Thomas will be looking

to put some points between himself and series second-place rider Scott

Stump. Stump is just 3-points behind Thomas with 31 points.

     Qualifying heats begin at 6:15 P.M. with opening ceremonies at 7:30

P.M. For ticket information, call (304) 485-8000.

     While at the Mineralwells half-mile be sure to stop by the Progressive

Insurance tent, for rider autograph sessions, video games, free magnetic

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 every quote made

through 1-800-FLAT-TRACK, Progressive pays $1.00 into the rider point fund.