One-Shot Qualifier
Two days of persistent rains made the AMA Dragbike Orient Express US Motorcycle nationals a one-day pressure cooker, with a one-shot qualifier and looming early-evening track curfew. In the end they got it done in a fast-paced event.
Three-time Funnybike champ Keith Lynn took on the hoard of nitro Harleys entering the Funnybike class this season to score his first win of the year. Lynn ran the second-quickest elapsed time in the history of the class at 6.440 seconds on his turbo Kawasaki to make his fourth straight final. Lynn won the final round over fellow Kawasaki rider Danny Allaire
The sportbike heavyweights fell and fell hard at Atco. Local hero and multi-time Pro Street champ Mike Slowe was out in the semifinals as Mike Kavos took the Hayabusa flagship of event sponsor Orient Express from the number one qualifying spot to the winners circle for Kavos’ first-ever Pro Street win.
They say nobody beats Rickey Gadson at Atco, the Kawasaki factory superstar’s home track. Apparently nobody told Joey Gladstone as the second-year rider took out Team Green’s main man in his own backyard for his second SuperSport win of the year.
Going into Atco Super Street rider John Fernandez was the only undefeated rider left in the AMA Dragbike series. Fernandez left Atco with the points lead but with his first loss of the season. Second-generation rider Joe Franco Jr. scored his first Super Street win bringing his nitrous Hayabusa to the winners circle from the pole position in qualifying.
The next AMA Dragbike event is the Fall Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH, October 10-11.
Photos by PutterPowerMedia
