Coolbeth battles to win at Hagerstown Half-Mile
Harley-Davidson Press Release - Jul 30, 2008

 

“The Factory Harley-Davidson team gave me a perfect set-up tonight,” said Coolbeth. “I got behind at the start but had the motorcycle I needed to race back to the front. This is a big win to put us back on top in points.”

 

The 25-lap Grand National main started in a light mist, with Glassman/LZ Racing rider Sammy Halbert getting the hole shot and quickly pulled away from Kopp and American Suzuki rider Jake Johnson. Coolbeth started the race in fifth behind Blue Springs Harley-Davidson/Screamin' Eagle rider Jared Mees. Skillfully guiding his Harley-Davidson XR-750 on the slick clay track, Coolbeth got by Mees on lap three, passed Johnson on lap six, and moved ahead of his championship rival, Kopp, on lap eight.

 

Halbert appeared to be on the way to his first career Grand National win, but Coolbeth would not be denied. Riding smoothly and consistently, the two-time Grand National champion closed the gap and passed Halbert to take the lead on lap 16. Halbert would not go quietly, however, and dogged Coolbeth for several laps. But Coolbeth’s steady performance and a few slight errors by the young Halbert allowed Coolbeth to edge ahead, and he crossed the finish line with a lead of 1.537 seconds. Kopp finished third, followed by Johnson, Mees and Harley-Davidson Wrecking Crew rider Bryan Smith aboard the Moroney's Harley-Davidson/Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson XR-750.

 

 

After eight of 13 events on the 2008 AMA Grand National Twins schedule, Coolbeth leads the series with 149 points. Kopp is second with 143 points, followed by Smith with 129 points and Chris Carr with 100. Mees is ninth with 67 points.

 

The 2008 AMA Grand National Twins Championship will next race on August 31 and September 1 on the Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill.

 

The staff of Cycle Matters is interested in your comments about this article. 

 

If you are already a member of Cycle Matters, click on “Comment” at the end of this article to add your comments.

 

You must be a member of Cycle Matters to add comments. Membership is free! 

 

To become a member, click on My Garage, input your profile, and save it. You will receive an e-mail message asking you to verify your membership by clicking on the enclosed link. As a member of Cycle Matters, you are able to post your comments on this and any other article on this website. Log in and share your thoughts with the Cycle Matters community of motorcycle enthusiasts.