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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COOLBETH TAKES SECOND PLACE AT INDY MILE GRAND NATIONAL Harley-Davidson Wrecking Crew Rider Smith is Third
INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 13, 2008) – Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle factory rider Kenny Coolbeth finished second by inches as the AMA Grand National Twins flat track series made a dramatic return to the Indiana State Fairgrounds mile. Racing in Indianapolis for the first time since 1999, before a crowd estimated at 15,000, Coolbeth chased down Chris Carr for five laps after a restart for a red flag. Coolbeth passed Carr as the pair entered turn three on the final lap, but Carr was able to draft past the factory Harley and beat Coolbeth to the finish line by just 0.030 seconds.
“It was another great battle with Carr, and I learn something every time I race him on these miles,” said Coolbeth, who clinched his third consecutive 2008 AMA Grand National Twins championship with a win last weekend in Monticello, N.Y. “While it’s disappointing to lose it was sure exciting to be racing this hard in front of this huge of a crowd.”
Before racing for the win, Coolbeth had to recover from a last-row starting position, a penalty for being late to grid for the beginning of the race. At the start it was Carr, Latus Harley-Davidson/Screamin’ Eagle rider Joe Kopp, and fast-qualifier Jake Johnson on the American Suzuki entry fighting for the lead. Johnson dropped out on lap 12. Coolbeth picked his way through the field, and with five laps remaining, Moroney's Harley-Davidson/Screamin' Eagle rider Bryan Smith, Carr and Coolbeth had pulled away from the pack and were trading the lead. The final red flag stopped the race after a crash on lap 21 of the 25-lap main. The race was then extended to 26 laps to finish with five complete laps per AMA rules. Coolbeth and Carr got a jump on the field on the re-start, as Smith missed a shift and dropped back to seventh place. Blue Springs Screamin' Eagle rider Jared Mees and Bartel’s Harley-Davidson rider Shaun Russell slotted into third and fourth, but Coolbeth and Carr pulled away. Smith regained his momentum and passed Mees and Russell on the last lap to take third. Kopp finished in 16th position.
After 12 of 13 events on the 2008 AMA Grand National Twins schedule, Coolbeth has clinched the championship with 233 points. With 178 points, Smith holds second place by just one point over Carr. Kopp is fourth with 158 points. Mees moves up from seventh to fifth with 117 points.
The final race of the 2008 AMA Grand National Twins Championship season is Oct. 4 at Heartland Park Topeka in Topeka, Kansas.
Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts are inspired by and built in the spirit of the raw adrenaline and power of motorcycle racing. Screamin' Eagle Pro parts are specifically designed for race-use applications, while Screamin' Eagle parts offer street-use performance options for the Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner. Visit www.harley-davidson.com for more information.
The Screamin' Eagle Flat Track team is sponsored by Matco Tools.
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