AMA Pro Racing Press Release:
The Sacramento Mile is already a premier event on the AMA Pro Flat Track schedule, but the stop has the potential to be absolutely huge for one Grand National Championship title contender.
Bryan Smith, and his Kawasaki, will try to race into the record books and take control of the championship chase Saturday on the famous mile course at the Cal Expo. Smith, a three-time defending Sacramento Mile winner, can become the first ever four-time winner in the event’s history.
Smith was second to Jared Mees and his Harley-Davidson last weekend at the Grays Harbor Half-Mile, but he’s reeled off three straight podiums – including a win at the Hagerstown Half-Mile. Mees leads the title hunt, and has won two of the last three races, but his advantage over Smith is a scant five points.
Mees’ thrilling win in Washington came with a margin of just .369 seconds, further evidence that practically nothing is separating the two Michigan riders this season.
At last year’s Sacramento Mile, Smith beat Mees to the finish line by just .083 seconds, and the top five all crossed the line within less than a quarter of a second.
In fact, since the return of the Sacramento Mile to the AMA Pro Flat Track schedule in 2011, every main event has been won by less than a tenth of a second, so history suggests fans can expect an epic finish.
While Mees and Smith are the two hottest GNC riders as the season nears its midpoint, Jake Johnson is right on their heels, just one point behind Smith for second in points, six back of Mees (127-122-121). Johnson has been consistent all season, finishing no worse than sixth since taking 10th in the opener at Daytona, but he’s still searching for his first victory of the season.
Kenny Coolbeth can’t be counted out either having two wins this year and could have had more if not for a little bad luck. He’s fourth in points, but just 13 off the lead and still among the favorites for the overall championship.
Sammy Halbert rounds out the top five in points entering the Sacramento Mile. Halbert is looking for his first win of the season still, but he’s shown pace to run in the front and is capable of winning every time the hits the track.
Brandon Robinson and Henry Wiles entry sit sixth and seventh, respectively, in the title hunt, easily within striking distance of the leaders if they are able to put together some strong finishes starting with Saturday’s event.
In the Pro Singles class, the title chase is even tighter. Two riders are tied atop the standings and a third is just a point back.
Kyle Johnson and Davis Fisher are knotted with 99 points apiece. Ryan Wells is third with 98 points.
It was Jarod Vanderkooi, who was too young to start the season as a pro at Daytona, who took the checkered flag at Grays Harbor. That victory snapped a run of three straight for Kyle Johnson.
Last season, Shayna Texter won the Pro Singles main event, and has since moved up to the Expert class, where she will compete Saturday.
How to Watch :
FansChoice.tv will be the official home for live streaming coverage of AMA Pro Flat Track and AMA Pro Road Racing events in 2014. The site will also provide coverage of IMSA’s development and single-make series, and NASCAR’s touring and weekly series.
For more information: www.amaproracing.com
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