INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 13, 2008) – Everyone in the flat-track racing community was hoping the Lucas Oil Indy Mile would inject new life into AMA Grand National Championship racing. They got all they’d hoped for and then some. In what was one of the largest crowds to watch an AMA Grand National in years, it was veteran Chris Carr who came through with a spectacular victory over rival and newly-crowned champ Kenny Coolbeth. Bryan Smith was a close third.
“I consider this the biggest win of my career,” said a jubilant Carr after winning before a crowd estimated at 15,000. “That is what flat track racing is all about. We got an amazing crowd out here and the right kind of crowd with all the industry and a lot of European press. I’m just glad we turned in a good close race for them.”
Carr came out of Coolbeth’s draft coming down the home stretch on the final lap and ran around the outside of the No. 1 bike to take the thrilling victory.
Carr’s margin of victory was a scant 0.030 seconds in the closest finish of the season.
It was a tough night for pole winner Jake Johnson. Johnson ran up front, but had his motor start to tighten up on him and he pulled off on lap 13.
The race was red flagged twice. One was caused by a Jon Cornwell and Nicole Cheza crash in turn three. Both walked away from the accident.
The series is off a few weeks and will have its finale at Heartland Park Topeka on Oct. 4.
