PORT CRANE, NY

On a hot and humid Saturday night at the Square Deal Riders facility, Kenny Coolbeth (2, above) won the Lee Thomas Cup in the Open Expert class. He also stood at the top of the podium in the 450 class.

Some 206 riders filled the pits to take part in the annual Lee Thomas Cup flat-track race, in which top riders from the big leagues challenge the local racers in a quest for the Cup. Thirty-eight Open Experts would bid for 18 starting spots in the main event.

Coolbeth (2, above), Matt Weidman (20, above), Raun Wood (88, below right), and many fast locals ran six qualifying heats; two from each heat would move on to the final. The heat races were full of excitement from the drop of the green to the last lap. By the time the heats were done, the track announcer said he may need a backup, because all of the excitement might take his voice away.

Although rain was in the area and there was lightning in the distance, the track was perfect, and riders and crew members lined the infield for the rider introductions. With Coolbeth, Weidman and Cam Rafferty filling the front row, everyone knew things were going to get crazy in a hurry.

The light went green, and the valley roared, with 18 bikes racing into the first turn. It was handlebar to handlebar as Coolbeth led the field into turn one and down the back stretch. Everyone was trying to find their place and settle in for the long haul, but in between turns three and four, a few riders got together and a quarter of the field hit the ground. The red flag flew, and all was quiet again.

Mechanics were running out from the pits with tie straps, tools, and whatever else they needed to get their riders' bikes fixed for the restart. One rider was injured and had to be taken away for medical care.

There was still lightning in the distance as the riders were lined up for the restart. Again Coolbeth, Weidman and Rafferty led the group into turn one. They came out of turn two with "The King of Cool" leading the way and the rest of the riders tight on his rear wheel. Every lap, the positions were changing behind the leaders. Some of the guys that had been involved in the crash were moving through the pack. Everywhere you looked, there was great racing happening!

At about halfway, the leaders started getting into lapped traffic; that tightened things up again up front, but on lap 25 it would be Coolbeth crossing the line first to claim the Lee Thomas Cup. As always at SDR, it was quite a show!

Coolbeth would also stand atop the podium for the 450 class.

Results

OPEN EX: 1. Kenny Coolbeth; 2. Matt Weidman; 3. Cam Rafferty; 4. Raun Wood; 5. Brandon Robinson; 6. Lowell Carson; 7. Justin Velicky; 8. Shawn Clark; 9. Gary Conklin; 10. Asa Irish; 11. Shane Livingston; 12. Jake Constantine; 13. Tom McGrane; 14. Richard Heverly; 15. Shayna Texter; 16. Darryl Reese; 17. Toby Stay; 18. Mike Radley.

450 EX: 1. Kenny Coolbeth; 2. Matt Weidman; 3. Jacob Constantine; 4. Cam Rafferty; 5. Darryl Reese; 6. Gary Conklin; 7. Austin Greenland; 8. Travis Diem; 9. Adam Carpinello; 10. Cory Texter; 11. Raun Wood.