Halbert conquers Volunteer Speedway high banks for AMA Grand National win

By Robert Walden


BULLS GAP, Tenn. (June 20) — Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson & Buell of East Tennessee, with locations in Maryville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, along with the new Wildcat Harley-Davidson in London, Ky., presented the AMA Pro Grand National Flat Track Series motorcycles for an exciting racing program at Volunteer Speedway on Saturday, June 20.

With over 70 combined Grand National Twins and Singles motorcycles in the paddock, top riders from all across the country, representing 22 states and two Canadian provinces, thrilled the huge crowd at “The Gap” with two-wheeled action on the high banks.

Sammy Halbert of Graham, Wash., riding hurt following a wreck last weekend at the Montgomery County Fair in Dayton, Ohio that severely injured his brother, Jethro Halbert and Nicholas Cummings, held off Jared Mees and defending three-time AMA Flat Track national champion Kenny Coolbeth for victory in the 25-lap AMA Pro Grand National Twins Championship main event.

Winning the three respective Grand National Twins heat races were Halbert, Matthew Weidman of Westerlo, N.Y., and Clio, Mich.’s Mees. Steve Murray of Grand Blanc, Mich., along with Jake Mataya of Brooklyn Center, Minn., each won Semi-Finals.

In the four-lap Dash for Cash among the top-two finishing riders from the three heats, Halbert outran Coolbeth, Mees, Weidman, Smith and Kopp to win $1,000.

Halbert grabbed the lead on first lap over Coolbeth, Mees, Bryan Smith and Joe Kopp. With Coolbeth slipping between turns one and two on lap 2, both Mees and Smith passed him to move into second and third, dropping Coolbeth back to the fourth spot.

Mees worked around Halbert for the lead on lap 5, and before one more circuit was completed the red flag was displayed when A.J. Eslick went down between turns one and two. Following the staggered restart on the front straightaway, back under green Mees led Halbert, Coolbeth, Smith and Copp.

Coolbeth passed Smith to move into third in the running order on the sixth circuit. Mees showed the way out front until being overtaken for the lead by Halbert on lap 12, which would prove to be a lead he would never relinquish.

While Halbert had a clear track ahead of him, during the event’s second half he had both Mees and Coolbeth breathing down his neck, just waiting for him to make a mistake. With the lead trio turning blistering laps, they began to put several bike-lengths between themselves and their closest challengers as the laps wound down.

Halbert, aboard the Halbert Family/Kings Kustoms Harley-Davidson would not be denied the opportunity to capture the victory, as he beat Mees by .565 and Coolbeth by .702 to record his first win in 2009. Finishing in fourth and fifth, respectively, were Smith and Weidman.

Completing the top 10 finishers were Chris Carr (seven-time AMA national champion who was looking to record his 200th podium finish), Jacob Johnson (who took a nasty spill during the second heat that brought out the red flag, and used a provisional starting berth for the main event), Mataya, Shaun Russell and Brandon Robinson.

“Oh, man, this is awesome — I can’t believe we won,” said a smiling Halbert after stepping down from the victory podium. “You know, what’s wild is we didn’t even make the field for the main at the race here in 2007. This place is definitely unlike anywhere else we’ll race all season long, but I really like rim-riding around these high banks. It’s a blast to turn laps around here, I’m telling you.

“Fast, you’d better believe it’s a fast ride around here. When you’re running 16-second laps it doesn’t take very long to run the 25-lap main event, that’s for sure. You’re really hanging on for all you’ve got. Once we got around Jared (Mees) for the lead, I really had to focus and not make any mistakes, because he would’ve gotten right back around me. Thankfully we ran mistake-free the remaining distance to get the win. After the deal last weekend inOhio where both my brother and I got injured, winning tonight is definitely good medicine for this Halbert Family race team. I’m really looking forward to getting back here to race at ‘The Gap’ next year.”

Brad Baker of Chehalis, Wash., was the fastest qualifier in AMA Pro Singles Championship practice, and he backed his quick time up by easily winning the first of two heats, with the second heat race going to female rider Shayna Texter of Willow Street, Pa., which brought a loud cheer from the large crowd. The Last Chance Qualifier was won by Jeffrey Carver of Alton, Ill.

Baker got the hole-shot to take the lead over Lucas Scherb, J.D. Beach, Texter and James Rispoli. Beach passed Scherb on the second lap to move into the runner-up position. Texter brought the crowd to their feet when she passed Scherb for third on lap 6.

Setting her sights ahead on Beach and leader Baker, Texter never got the opportunity to challenge for the point as rain began to fall and AMA officials called the race complete after only eight laps.

Earning podium finishes besides winner Baker were Beach and Texter, with Rispoli and Scherb rounding out the top-five. Completing the top 10 finishers were Zach Palmer, Michael Toon, Carver, Colton Chebultz and Jacob Shoemaker.

AMA PRO GRAND NATIONAL TWINS CHAMPIONSHIP – ENTRY LIST

(Showing Number, Name, Hometown)

1 – Kenneth Coolbeth Jr. – Morris, CT
3 – Joe Kopp – Mica, WA
4 – Chris Carr – Fleetwood, PA
11 – Bryan Bigelow – Omer, MI
11K – Kevin Anderson – Cambridge, MN
14 – Jacob Johnson – Franklinville, NJ
15 – Nichole Cheza – Clio, MI
16 – A.J. Eslick – Tulsa, OK
19 – Ion Stear – Harvard, IL
20 – Matthew Weidman – Westerlo, NY
20N – Logan Scherb – Decatur, TX
20W – Brady Mueller – Port Orchard, WA
21 – Jared Mees – Clio, MI
22P – Kevin Vance – Williamsfield, IL
24 – Logan Myers – Wheeler, MI
25 – Brian Phillips – Auburn, PA
26 – Brandan Bergen – Caruthers, MI
28 – Shaun Russell – Westville, IL
29 – Jake Mataya – Brooklyn Center, MN
30 – Brock Schwartzenbacher – Beaver Dam, WI
32 – Shawn Baer – Bethel, PA
33 – Glen Schnabel Jr. – Campbellsport, WI
39G – Aaron Lindfors – Salina, KS
40 – Aaron King – Dysart, IA
42 – Bryan Smith – Flushing, MI
43 – Sammy Halbert – Graham, WA
44 – Brandon Robinson – Oxford, PA
50P – Kurt Marmor – Springfield, IL
51 – Steve Murray – Grand Blanc, MI
51Z – Shawn Raggio – Stockton, CA
53 – Don Taylor – Welland, Ontario, Canada
61 – Dustin Crow – Peoria, IL
64C – Jerry Steele – Winston Salem, NC
65 – Cory Texter – Schwenksville, PA
69F – Ben Evans – Galion, OH
72 – Tim Eades – Colonial Heights, VA
73 – Doug Lawrence – Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
74P – Chaz Landers – Auburn, IL
78N – Merle Scherb – Decatur, TX

Number of Entries: 39

AMA PRO GRAND NATIONAL TWINS CHAMPIONSHIP (25 Lap Main)

1. Sammy Halbert #43-Graham, WA
2. Jared Mees #21-Clio, MI
3. Kenneth Coolbeth Jr. #1-Morris, CT
4. Bryan Smith #42-Flushing, MI
5. Matthew Weidman #20-Westerlo, NY
6. Chris Carr #4-Fleetwood, PA
7. Jacob Johnson #14-Franklinville, NJ
8. Jake Mataya #29-Brookly Center, MN
9. Shaun Russell #28-Westville, IL
10. Brandon Robinson #44-Oxford, PA
11. Joe Kopp #3-Mica, WA
12. Brandan Bergen #26-Caruthers, MI
13. Steve Murray #51-Grand Blanc, MI
14. Glen Schnabel Jr. #33-Campbellsport, WI
15. Logan Scherb #20N-Decatur, TX
16. Kevin Vance #22P-Williamsfield, IL
17. Bryan Bigelow #11-Omer, MI
18. Brian Phillips #25-Auburn, PA
19. A.J. Eslick #16-Tulsa, OK

HEAT #1 (10 Laps, Top 4 Riders Transfer to Main)

1. Sammy Halbert #43-Graham, WA
2. Bryan Smith #42-Flushing, MI
3. Glen Schnabel Jr. #33-Campbellsport, WI
4. Brandon Robinson #44-Oxford, PA
5. Jake Mataya #29-Brooklyn Center, MN
6. Brock Schwartzenbacher #30-Beaver Dam, WI
7. Merle Scherb #78N-Decatur, TX
8. Doug Lawrence #73-Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
9. Brady Mueller #20W-Port Orchard, WA
10. Kevin Anderson #11K-Cambridge, MN
11. Jerry Steele #64C-Winston Salem, NC
12. Ion Stear #19-Harvard, IL
13. Kurt Marmor #50P-Springfield, IL

HEAT #2 (10 Laps, Top 4 Riders Transfer to Main)

1. Matthew Weidman #20-Westerlo, NY
2. Joe Kopp #3-Mica, WA
3. Logan Scherb #20N-Decatur, TX
4. A.J. Eslick #16-Tulsa, OK
5. Aaron King #40-Dysart, IA
6. Bryan Bigelow #11-Omer, MI
7. Steve Murray #51-Grand Blanc, MI
8. Don Taylor #53-Welland, Ontario, Canada
9. Dustin Crow #61-Peoria, IL
10. Shawn Raggio #51Z-Stockton, CA
11. Aaron Lindfors #39G-Salina, KS
12. Jacob Johnson #14-Franklinville, NJ
13. Shawn Baer #32-Bethel, PA

HEAT #3 (10 Laps, Top 4 Riders Transfer to Main)

1. Jared Mees #21-Clio, MI
2. Kenneth Coolbeth Jr. #1-Morris, CT
3. Shaun Russell #28-Westville, IL
4. Chris Carr #4-Fleetwood, PA
5. Brandan Bergen #26-Caruthers, MI
6. Kevin Vance #22P-Williamsfield, IL
7. Tim Eades #72-Colonial Heights, VA
8. Brian Phillips #25-Auburn, PA
9. Ben Evans #69F-Galion, OH
10. Cory Texter #65-Schwenksville, PA
11. Logan Myers #24-Wheeler, MI
12. Nichole Cheza #15-Clio, MI
13. Chaz Landers #74P-Auburn, IL

DASH FOR CASH (4 Laps, $1,000-to-win)

1. Sammy Halbert #43-Graham, WA
2. Kenneth Coolbeth Jr. #1-Morris, CT
3. Jared Mees #21-Clio, MI
4. Matthew Weidman #20-Westerlo, NY
5. Bryan Smith #42-Flushing, MI
6. Joe Kopp #3-Mica, WA

SEMI-FINAL #1 (8 Laps, Top 3 Riders Transfer to Main)

1. Steve Murray #51-Grand Blanc, MI
2. Brandan Bergen #26-Caruthers, MI
3. Kevin Vance #22P-Williamsfield, IL
4. Cory Texter #65-Schwenksville, PA
5. Brock Schwartzenbacher #30-Beaver Dam, WI
6. Merle Scherb #78N-Decatur, TX
7. Don Taylor #53-Welland, Ontario, Canada
8. Kevin Anderson #11K-Cambridge, MN
9. Ben Evans #69F-Galion, OH
10. Chaz Landers #74P-Auburn, IL
11. Jerry Steele #64C-Winston Salem, NC
12. Jacob Johnson #14-Franklinville, NJ
13. Aaron Lindfors #39G-Salina, KS

SEMI-FINAL #2 (8 Laps, Top 3 Riders Transfer to Main)

1. Jake Mataya #29-Brooklyn Center, MN
2. Bryan Bigelow #11-Omer, MI
3. Brian Phillips #25-Auburn, PA
4. Aaron King #40-Dysart, IA
5. Shawn Baer #32-Bethel, PA
6. Doug Lawrence #73-Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
7. Shawn Raggio #51Z-Stockton, CA
8. Nichole Cheza #15-Clio, MI
9. Tim Eades #72-Colonial Heights, VA
10. Brady Mueller #20W-Port Orchard, WA
11. Dustin Crow #61-Peoria, IL
12. Kurt Marmor #50P-Springfield, IL
13. Logan Myers #24-Wheeler, MI
14. Ion Stear #19-Harvard, IL

AMA PRO SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP – ENTRY LIST

(Showing Number, Name, Hometown)

10G – Hunter King – Mounds, OK
11G – Jerry Cartwright – Tulsa, OK
15C – Minior Bokey Bokenkotter Jr. – Edgewood, KY
15S – Robert Jones Jr. – Mechanicsville, VA
16A – Garret Wilson – Milford, PA
16F – Curtis Vanderkooi – Cardington, OH
17A – Jordan Harris – Pine Grove, PA
17M – Brad Baker – Chehalis, WA
18Y – Tony Davila – Pleasanton, CA
22L – Michael Toon – Blue Springs, MO
23C – Jason Griffin – Easley, SC
23N – Lucas Scherb – Decatur, TX
24P – Jeffrey Carver – Alton, IL
25A – Shayna Texter – Willow Street, PA
25T – Olivier Gagnon – Repentigny, Quebec, Canada
30F – Coy Matthews – Cincinnati, OH
32A – Austin Greenland – Spring Mills, PA
35C – William Cato – Chapmansboro, TN
36A – John Long – Coatesville, PA
37A – Cory Strickler – Delta, PA
37C – Brian Tapp – Philpot, KY
42J – Joseph Ratz – Guilford, IN
44U – Michael Hakey – Alstead, NH
47G – Colton Chebultz – Manhattan, KS
55A – Jacob Shoemaker – Glenmoore, PA
58Y – Jermaine Bacosa – Livermore, CA
70A – Masatoshi Ohmori - Pottstown, PA
71B – James Rispoli – Attica, NY
76A – Lewis Woods – New Holland, PA
80B – Corey Crawford – Elba, NY
81C – Zach Palmer – Crittenden, KY
84P – Andrew Smith – Quincy, IL
95C – J.D. Beach – Philpot, KY

Number of Entries: 33

AMA PRO SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP (8 lap Main, shortened from full distance due to rain)

1. Brad Baker #17M-Chehalis, WA
2. J.D. Beach #95C-Philpot, KY
3. Shayna Texter #25A-Willow Street, PA
4. James Rispoli #71B-Attica, NY
5. Lucas Scherb #23N-Decatur, TX
6. Zach Palmer #81C-Crittenden, KY
7. Michael Toon #22L-Blue Springs, MO
8. Jeffrey Carver #24P-Alton, IL
9. Colton Chebultz #47G-Manhattan, KS
10. Jacob Shoemaker #55A-Glenmoore, PA
11. Robert Jones Jr. #15S-Mechanicsville, VA
12. Hunter King #10G-Mounds, OK
13. William Cato #35C-Chapmansboro, TN
14. Corey Crawford #80B-Elba, NY
15. Cory Strickler #37A-Delta, PA
16. John Long #36A-Coatesville, PA
17. Garret Wilson #16A-Milford, PA
18. Andrew Smith #84P-Quincy, IL

HEAT #1 (6 Laps, Top 7 Riders Transfer to Main)

1. Brad Baker #17M-Chehalis, WA
2. J.D. Beach #95C-Philpot, KY
3. Lucas Scherb #23N-Decatur, TX
4. Andrew Smith #84P-Quincy, IL
5. William Cato #35C-Chapmansboro, TN
6. Hunter King #10G-Mounds, OK
7. Garret Wilson #16A-Milford, PA
8. Cory Strickler #37A-Delta, PA
9. Brian Tapp #37C-Philpot, KY
10. Joseph Ratz #42J-Guilford, IN
11. Coy Matthews #30F-Cincinnati, OH
12. Jermaine Bacosa #58Y-Livermore, CA
13. Minior Bokey Bokenkotter Jr. #15C-Edgewood, KY
14. Jerry Cartwright #11G-Tulsa, OK
15. Tony Davila #18Y-Pleasanton, CA
16. Masatoshi Ohmori #70A-Pottstown, PA

HEAT #2 (6 Laps, Top 7 Riders Transfer to Main)

1. Shayna Texter #25A-Willow Street, PA
2. Zach Palmer #81C-Crittenden, KY
3. James Rispoli #71B-Attica, NY
4. Colton Chebultz #47G-Manhattan, KS
5. Jacob Shoemaker #55A-Glenmoore, PA
6. Michael Toon #22L-Blue Springs, MO
7. John Long #36A-Coatesville, PA
8. Jeffrey Carver #24P-Alton, IL
9. Corey Crawford #80B-Elba, NY
10. Robert Jones Jr. #15S-Mechanicsville, VA
11. Lewis Woods #76A-New Holland, PA
12. Jordan Harris #17A-Pine Grove, PA
13. Michael Hakey #44U-Alstead, NH
14. Olivier Gagnon #25T-Repentigny, Quebec, Canada
15. Jason Griffin #23C-Easley, SC
16. Curtis Vanderkooi #16F-Cardington, OH

LAST CHANCE QUALIFIER (6 Laps, Top 4 Riders Transfer to Main)

1. Jeffrey Carver #24P-Alton, IL
2. Cory Strickler #37A-Delta, PA
3. Corey Crawford #80B-Elba, NY
4. Robert Jones Jr. #15S-Mechanicsville, VA
5. Joseph Ratz #42J-Guilford, IN
6. Michael Hakey #44U-Alstead, NH
7. Jermaine Bacosa #58Y-Livermore, CA
8. Lewis Woods #76A-New Holland, PA
9. Olivier Gagnon #25T-Repentigny, Quebec, Canada
10. Brian Tapp #37C-Philpot, KY
11. Curtis Vanderkooi #16F-Cardington, OH
12. Jason Griffin #23C-Easley, SC
13. Jerry Cartwright #11G-Tulsa, OK
14. Minior Bokey Bokenkotter Jr. #15C-Edgewood, KY
15. Masatoshi Ohmori #70A-Pottstown, PA
16. Coy Matthews #30F-Cincinnati, OH
17. Tony Davila #18Y-Pleasanton, CA
18. Jordan Harris #17A-Pine Grove, PA