TOPEKA, Kans. – Factory Harley-Davidson rider Kenny Coolbeth, unhappy with recent performances in the AMA Grand National Twins Championship, was determined to do something about it. He met his goal making a solid return to form on Friday night winning the national before a near capacity crowd in the debut race on Heartland Park Topeka’s Half-Mile.

“You’ve got to take the good with the bad and just keep fighting,” Coolbeth said after winning his third Twins race of the season. “The team gave me a great motorcycle tonight and it really made my job a lot easier. I saw (Robert) Pearson run up underneath me one time early, but after that I didn’t see anyone. It feels good to get back on top.”

Sammy Halbert continues to make a climb into the ranks of elite riders in the series. Halbert scored his season-best second place on the Glassman Harley-Davidson after a race-long battle with American Harley-Davidson-backed Robert Pearson. Pearson was one of the big surprises of the night, easily winning his heat race, challenging Coolbeth early in the final before settling in to earn his first Grand National Twins podium.

Coolbeth’s victory opened his lead in the series to 10 points (98-88) over Joe Kopp, who finished fifth.

The series now moves to Beulah Park in Grove City, Ohio, next Saturday.