An intense thunderstorm that moved over Black Hills Speedway on Tuesday evening caused the cancellation of the AMA Grand National Twins race there. The racing program had started on time and progressed through qualifying and the first three heat races before the storm dropped heavy rain that made the track surface un-raceable. It was the first time in five years that the AMA Grand National Twins motorcycles had raced on the Black Hills Speedway half-mile.
Per AMA Pro Racing rules, a single point was awarded to all riders who qualified for the Grand National Twins main, and a second point was awarded to the six riders who qualified for the Dash for Cash bonus sprint. Chris Carr Racing/Lancaster Harley-Davidson rider Chris Carr was declared the unofficial winner of the race, based on his fastest lap time during the heat races.
Based on their performance in the heat races, Harley-Davidson Wrecking Crew riders were poised to have a competitive evening before the storm ended the event. Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle factory rider Kenny Coolbeth, the defending AMA Grand National Twins champion, won the second heat race and was followed across the line by Moroney’s Harley-Davidson/Screamin’ Eagle rider Bryan Smith. Latus Harley-Davidson/Screamin’ Eagle rider Joe Kopp won the third heat race. Blue Springs Harley-Davidson/Screamin’ Eagle rider Jared Mees, who currently leads the series in points, was second to Kopp in that heat race. The entire Wrecking Crew – Coolbeth, Kopp, Smith and Mees – was qualified for the Dash for Cash. Carr and Halbert Family/King Kustoms rider Sammy Halbert were the other two riders qualified for the Dash. All were riding Harley-Davidson XR-750 motorcycles.
The points awarded following the Rapid City race did not alter the season standings. After five of nine 2009 AMA Grand National Twins Championship events, Mees retains the series lead with 79 points. Coolbeth is second with 72 points. Halbert is third with 68 points, and Carr is fourth with 67 points. Smith in seventh place with 53. Kopp is ninth with 40 points.
The 2009 AMA Grand National Twins Championship will next race on August 16 on the Beulah Park Mile in Grove City, Ohio.
