The following is from AMA Pro Racing…
This Saturday night the 2010 AMA Pro K&N Filters Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com heads to the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio with some interesting statistics. Joe Kopp riding a Harley-Davidson won the 2008 National will be switching to the Latus Motors / ENI USA R&M / Lloyd Brothers Motorsports Team Ducati which he won the Arizona Mile. Last year’s winner Bryan Smith also on a Harley-Davidson will be switching to the Monster Energy Kawasaki Werner-Springsteen Racing machine while taking second at the Springfield Mile on May 30th.
Jeff Carver leads the Pro Singles National Championship with 118 points. Ironically Joe Kopp also comes into Lima also with 118 points leading the Expert Grand National Championship series.
Top riders from across the country call this race one of the most demanding, fun and exciting race on the series. The XR750cc Harley-Davidson motorcycle has won 23 of 25 Nationals on the limestone ½ mile dirt track, winning 15 consecutive since 1994.
The Ohio National Championship will mark the seventh event on the 19-race 2010 calendar. Bryan Smith is still seeking his first win of 2010 currently 7th in the Expert rider point’s standings. Smith will headline a field of former Lima winners including Jared Mees (’05, ’07), AMA legend Chris Carr (’91, ’99, ’00, ’01) and Joe Kopp (’05, ’07). Although Kopp is the current point’s leader, he is being chased by winners of the last 2 two nationals, Jake Johnson and Henry Wiles each with 2 wins.
The series competed most recently at Gas City I-69 Speedway in Gas City, IN on June 19. “Hammerin’ Hank” Henry Wiles nipped Jared Mees by .624 seconds at the line, with Joe Kopp finishing third. All of those leading competitors as well as Kenny Coolbeth, Nichole Cheza and Jake Johnson are among the top riders coming to Lima.
Fairgrounds gates open at 3 p.m on June 26. There will be a number of vendor displays on the grounds including Budweiser, Lima Ford, Lima Harley Davidson, K&N Filters, and Memphis Shades.
Racing fans will also be entertained by The Wheelie Wizzard, Tyler Shepard during intermission.
Timed practice is slated for 3 p.m. with a rider autograph session and open paddock area set for 5:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. with the official racing program at 7:30 p.m. Pro Singles and Expert Singles will battle through nine qualifying races with the Pro Singles Main 12-lap feature and the Expert Singles Main 25-lap showdown set to culminate the evening of racing
Tickets/event information for the Ohio National Championship are available at 419-991-1491 or www.ohionationalchampionship.net.