Screamin’ Eagle/Latus Harley-Davidson’s Joe Kopp came away from the USA Race Park in Tucson, Arizona, with his first victory of the season last night, but it was Kenny Coolbeth emerging with his second successive AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Twins Championship – adding that to the singles title he’d wrapped up a night earlier in Arizona.
Coolbeth’s second-place finish behind Kopp coupled with Jared Mees’ fourth-place finish gave Coolbeth the title – his second successive championship after winning his first a season ago.
Coolbeth knew that a win would give him the title no matter what Mees was able to do and held the lead when a red flag came out as Bryan Smith had crashed in turn three. The restart reverted back to lap four with Rich King still in the lead, but the restart wasn’t kind to King as he was stuck low going into the first turn and both Coolbeth and Kopp were able to blast by.
Coolbeth’s lead lasted exactly one lap as the champ bobbled in turn four, leaving just enough room for Kopp to take advantage. Once in front Kopp settled into a rhythm and stayed glued to the groove. Despite 20 laps of pressure, Coolbeth settled for second. Mees was all over King for a few laps before his tire went away and he was left stuck in fourth.
Fifth went to fast heat race winner Bryan Bigelow with American Harley-Davidson/Dick Ford’s Rob Pearson, American Suzuki’s Jake Johnson (the winner of Friday night’s singles final), Chris Carr, Shaun Russell and National Cycle/Reggie Amos Custom Homes’ Tim Eades rounding out the top 10
Final
1. Joe Kopp (Harley-Davidson)
2. Kenny Coolbeth (Harley-Davidson)
3. Rich King (Harley-Davidson)
4. Jared Mees (Harley-Davidson)
5. Bryan Bigelow (Harley-Davidson)
6. Rob Pearson (Harley-Davidson)
7. Jake Johnson (Suzuki)
8. Chris Carr (Harley-Davidson)
9. Shaun Russell (Harley-Davidson)
10. Tim Eades (Harley-Davidson)
