2010 AMA Flat Track Lake Odessa Insider

The K&N AMA Pro Racing Flat Track Series rolled into the I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan, a high banked, 1/2 mile clay track carved out of seemingly endless, rolling rows of dark green corn. Expert riders Kenny Coolbeth, Joe Kopp, Jake Johnson, Chris Carr, and Jared Mees were eager to quell the sting of Henry Wiles' domination at Lima two weeks prior. No one likes to get their faces rubbed in the dirt, especially former Grand National Champions Kopp and Coolbeth.

The I-96 Speedway is a well run facility. Owners Mike and Sara Mouch take pride in the race events they host. The circuit is home to several dirt track events including World of Outlaws races, an appropriately named series featuring cars with radical spoilers, racing around the clay oval. It is surprising how much moisture these dirt tracks can handle. A sharp burst of rain dumped nearly half an inch of rain in the area shortly before practice and qualifying were slated to begin. The I-96 Speedway's experienced track crew never batted an eye, going about their normal track prep procedures using various pieces of heavy equipment. AMA Pro Flat Track's Steve Morehead orchestrated the clattering symphony, including a monstrous roller nicknamed "The Wobble Wheel", operated by a young man doing his best to impersonate the Marlboro Man. Despite lacking a few of the required physical qualities, he held his line on the five ton roller, and his next cigarette, at a steady 7 mph. In an hour they were adding water to the surface to keep it tacky, in preparation for the demands the fastest riders on dirt were about to place on the clay surface and their motorcycles.

Joe Kopp (#3) switched over to his Team Latus Harley-Davidson, relegating a pair of ENI Ducatis to show bike status. Kenny Coolbeth (#2) had not popped the champagne since a third in Springfield. The factory Harley rider was undefeated in three previous races at I-96. If he was going to podium anywhere, it was the high banked, blue groove 1/2 mile in Michigan. National #2 meant business, he dawned the sinister, black Harley leathers and dark shades only the "King of Cool" can pull off. Coolbeth never had to utter a word, his intentions were clear.

The Experts weren't the only ones with something to prove. Pro Singles riders Brad Baker, Jeffrey Carver, James Rispoli and Shayna Texter were allowed provisional rides in the Expert Twins class thanks to AMA Pro Racing's commitment to it's future stars. The golden tickets, so many amateurs dream about, were offered to the top ten Pro Singles from the 2009 point standings. Go fast on a twin and you better make sure your cell phone bill is paid up. You can count on more than a few phone calls from teams interested in infusing fresh talent into their programs. Only the four mentioned above were able to secure rides, most on "B" or backup bikes of Expert Twins regulars.

Pro Singles points leader, Jeffrey Carver (#24P) and James "The Rocket" Rispoli were positively, vibrating with excitement as the Lloyd Brothers and Joe Kopp took the blankets off the pair of high strung, Italian steeds and handed them the reins. I swear I heard Mike Lloyd yell out, "Bring them back in one piece!...cough...cough", but the dust cloud both young guns left in their wake choked him up a bit. Brad Baker struck a deal with Nichole Cheza (#15) and her Global Products Harley-Davidson. She was kind enough to mount Brad's number plate on her bike, but the pink paint job had to stay.

Last year's Pro Singles Champion was not concerned with the color as long as it had two cylinders, two wheels and enough gas to lap the track a couple of times. Baker was quick from the start, winding the big, American twin up on the straights and sliding it through the corners. He was keen to prove himself and raised a few eyebrows around the paddock after passing five-time Australian National Champ, Luke Gough (#62) on the last lap of their Semi to make the Main Event. As one of the taller riders in the Pro Singles class, he has to work hard to get tucked in on his lighter, smaller CRF 450. The twins suit his growing frame, and he had no trouble man handling the XR-750 on the Michigan clay, despite an extra 50 ponies and 100lb weight difference.

Carver, Baker and Rispoli (#71B) did not let their provisional twins rides hinder business in the Pro Singles class. Carver put his Van's Yamaha 450 out front and kept it there. Baker and "The Rocket" continued the grudge match left over from Round 6 in Gas City, which ended badly for Baker, crashing on the final lap. He and Rispoli kept it clean in Michigan, racing bar to bar all the way to the line and shaking hands on the podium as true sportsmen.

The Expert riders' goodwill toward their younger counterparts ended after opening ceremonies. Coolbeth led the charge setting the fastest time in qualifying and winning the Dash for Cash, ahead of the King's Kustoms Halbert Brothers. Henry Wiles (#17), a Michigan native, entered his home race with two wins in a row. We all wanted to see him squeeze a little more "magic" out of the KK Motorcycle Supply/Eddie Atkins H-D. The lights were on and fans funneled in. Who was willing to go for all the glory.?

A five foot wide black band of rubber formed, marking the racing line around the entire length of the 1/2 mile circuit. Ground into the clay by thousands of horsepower, everyone of them trying to rip the Goodyear CD-8's to shreds. The groove formed, tacky and fast. Jake Johnson (#5) rocketed off the line, taking the lead into turn 1. He controlled the race until Johnny Lewis lost control of his #10 Scott Powersports Kawasaki due to an oil slick from the previous lap. Joe Kopp took advantage of the restart, hounded by Johnson and Coolbeth for the remaining 11 laps, but neither forced a pass and finished in that order. Johnny Lewis shook off the cobwebs after his fall, to finish 7th. The only Pro Singles rider, Brad Baker, finished a notable 13th.

Six riders have separated themselves from the field in the overall points race for the K&N Grand National Expert Twins Championship.

1. Joe Kopp (154)
2. Jake Johnson (141)
3. Henry Wiles (139)
4. Sammy Halbert (135)
5. Jared Mees (129)
6. Kenny Coolbeth (119)

The rest of the field is down at least 50 points (two race wins) on the top six. As we approach the mid point of the season, it would take a major undoing to keep one of the riders mentioned from taking the title. Chris Carr (#4) and Brian Smith (#42) are betting on those odds with 75 and 74 points respectively.

2010 AMA Flat Track GNC Twins Lake Odessa Half Mile Results:
1. Joe Kopp (Harley-Davidson)
2. Jake Johnson (Harley-Davidson)
3. Kenny Coolbeth Jr. (Harley-Davidson)
4. Sammy Halbert (Harley-Davidson)
5. Jared Mees (Harley-Davidson)
6. Chris Carr (Harley-Davidson)
7. Johnny Lewis (Kawasaki)
8. Matt Weidman (Harley-Davidson)
9. Henry Wiles (Harley-Davidson)
10. Jethro Halbert (Harley-Davidson)
11. Brandon Robinson (Harley-Davidson)
12. Michael Kirkness (Harley-Davidson)
13. Brad Baker (Harley-Davidson)
14. Luke Gough (Harley-Davidson)
15. Doug Lawrence (Harley-Davidson)

2010 AMA Flat Track Pro Singles Lake Odessa Half Mile Results:
1. Jeffrey Carver Jr. (Yamaha)
2. Brad Baker (Honda)
3. James Rispoli (Honda)
4. Michael Martin (Honda)
5. Michael LaBelle (Honda)
6. Jeremy Hamilton (Honda)
7. Michael Avila (Honda)
8. Gerit Callies (Honda)
9. Brandon Laursen (Honda)
10. Kyle Whitis (Honda)