Harley-Davidson has released the following information regarding its plans to hire Kenny Coolbeth as the second member of the Screamin’ Eagle flat track team:
MILWAUKEE (February 3, 2006) – Harley-Davidson has announced that Kenny Coolbeth Jr. will join its Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts racing team as it competes for the 2006 AMA Flat Track Championship. Coolbeth, of New Milford, Conn., will join veteran Rich King on the two-rider Screamin’ Eagle team.
Coolbeth, age 28, has been racing professionally on the AMA Grand National flat track series since 1993. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1994, and has finished in the top-ten in season points for six consecutive seasons. Racing for the Mid-America Harley-Davidson team, he finished second in the AMA Flat Track Championship in 2005. He earned six podium results and won races at Lake Odessa, Mich., and Farley, Iowa. During one stretch of the season Coolbeth placed on the podium in five consecutive events.
“This is a dream come true for me,” said Coolbeth. “I’ve wanted to race for the Harley-Davidson factory team since I was a kid.”
“We are really excited to have Kenny Coolbeth in Screamin’ Eagle leathers for 2006,” said Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso. “He’s fast and consistent, and has been a threat to win on almost every track in recent seasons.”
Returning for his seventh season with the Screamin’ Eagle squad, Rich King, age 42, brings 26 years of professional experience to the track. King placed sixth in season points in 2005, with a win on the Springfield Mile and five other podium finishes.
“It’s going to be an exciting season,” said King. “We just kept getting better last year, and I think we’ll be able to bring home some more wins in 2006.”
