DECATUR, IL

Hot dogs, funnel cakes, carnival rides - all could be found at the 2010 Macon County Fair. And so could flat-track racing, as the American All-Star Flat Track Series, presented by Steve Nace Promotions, arrived for its third round, and this was the first time in at least 13 years that motorcycles had raced in Decatur, Illinois. The grandstands were full, and the fans were not disappointed, as these hotshoes charged around the track to the roar of the crowd. On this night, the crowd favorite had to be multiple-time National Champion Chris Carr, but with a host of such great riders in attendance, no matter who your favorite rider was, you were in for a great show.

In the Pro Singles contest, Yamaha rider Jeffrey Carver had things under control for the first heat-race win. Honda rider Michael Avila was second and Zack Cassidy was third. In the second heat, Brad Baker took the win, with his fellow Honda rider Kenny Malaguarnero second and Yamaha rider Rick Ivey in third. In the main event, Baker set some fast lap times, but it wasn't enough to hold off the charge of Carver, who laid down Expert-level style and speed to take the win. Baker finished a strong second, with Malaguarnero third.

In Expert Singles competition, three heats set the field for the main. In the first heat, Yamaha rider Rob Pearson took the win, with Honda rider Brock Schwarzenbacher second. The second heat provided what the crowd was waiting for, as Honda rider Chris Carr took the point position and, eventually, the heat win; Yamaha rider Jethro Halbert finished second. In the third heat, Yamaha rider Sam Halbert laid down the fastest time, with Honda rider Jared Mees finishing second. In the main, Sam took the lead and never looked back. Behind him, the battle was between Jethro Halbert and Mees. At the flag, Sam took the win, with his brother Jethro in second, Mees in third and Carr in fourth.

"It's great to be up here and even better [to be here] with my brother," Sam said.

Everyone was on the edge of their seats as the Expert Twin class thundered to life. These are the big dogs of flat-track racing, and when the big dogs bark, people listen! In the first heat, Harley-Davidson rider Sam Halbert picked up where he left off in the Expert Singles contest and took the heat-race win, over Harley-Davidson riders Carr and Brandon Bergen. In the second heat, National champ Mees showed why he has the number one on his bike and took the win on his Harley-Davidson; Kawasaki rider Bryan Smith took second, with Harley-Davidson-mounted Jethro Halbert in third. Rob Pearson won the third heat, with Matthew Weidman second and the fastest lady in flat-track racing, Nichole Cheza, rounding out the Harley-Davidson sweep of this heat.

In the main, all the big dogs were barking, with the major players - Mees, Carr and Sam Halbert - out front. They say every dog has his day, and this day belonged to Sam Halbert (7, above). Fresh off his Expert Singles win, he had the number-seven Harley flat out flying en route to the win. Mees was second and Carr third.

"Thank you for coming out and supporting us," Carr said to the crowd. "Tonight, I just could not beat these young kids."

"This is a great event and series, and I hope we come back again," Mees said.

Results

250 AM: 1. Tyler Tudor; 2. Bryant Harsy; 3. Taylor Roberts; 4. Michael Nevin; 5. Troy Fischer.

450 AM: 1. Josh Blazek; 2. Austin Luczak; 3. Robbie Treinen; 4. Dustin Cassidy; 5. Kole King.

EX TW: 1. Sam Halbert; 2. Jared Mees; 3. Chris Carr; 4. Matthew Weidman; 5. Jethro Halbert.

EX SGL: 1. Sam Halbert; 2. Jethro Halbert; 3. Jared Mees; 4. Chris Carr; 5. Brandon Bergen.

PRO SGL: 1. Jeffrey Carver; 2. Brad Baker; 3. Kenny Malaguarnero; 4. Michael Avila; 5. Rick Ivey.

OPEN SGL AM: 1. Josh Blazek; 2. Austin Luczak; 3. Robbie Treinen; 4. Kole King; 5. David Gill.

OPEN VINT: 1. Roger Johnson; 2. Mike Anderson; 3. Rusty Giles; 4. Michael Giles; 5. Randy Blackwell.