Photography courtesy AMA Pro Racing
The historic 50th running of the Sacramento Mile at Cal Expo is upon us and on Saturday several questions are to be answered:
- – Can anyone beat Kawasaki rider Bryan Smith at Cal Expo?
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- – Will World Superbike legend Troy Bayliss qualify for the National on his Lloyd Bros. Ducati?
- – Who will win Sacto’s Battle of the Titans II rematch between AMA Grand National legends Chris Carr and Jay Springsteen?
- – Can Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. hold on to his series points lead?
Under Steve McLaughlin’s SMI, the Sacramento Mile is quickly becoming a happening as well as a great race.
Last year Smith won, but faced his toughest challenge yet. Smith battled with as many as five other riders in the lead pack throughout the 25-lap main, in the end the race came down to a drafting war with Smith just holding off a surging Jake Johnson by 3-100ths of a second. Jared Mees and Brandon Robinson were in the hunt as well, the top four separated by just 4-10ths of a second.
This time around Smith is coming off a thrilling win at Springfield and even the normally modest Smith admits he’s the rider to beat this year. Kawasaki has stepped up to sponsor Smith’s Crosley Radio/Howerton Motorsports squad and the team looks stronger than ever.
“We’ve got a good package that’s proven at Sacramento,” Smith said. “I never take anything for granted, but I think we are the bike to beat on Saturday.”
Fans can watch every moment live online, in high definition and free of charge at www.FansChoice.tv. Practice and qualifying are scheduled for 2:15 p.m. PT (5:15 p.m. ET) with an exclusive pre-race show at 4:30 p.m. PT (7:30 p.m. ET). Heats begin at 6:45 p.m. PT (9:45 p.m. ET) and the mains are slated for 8:55 p.m. PT (11:55 p.m. ET).
Bayliss, the three-time World Superbike Champion who is testing his immense talents against the best flat track racers in the world, showed incredible improvement in Springfield on his No. 21I Lloyd Brothers Motorsports Scrambler-inspired Ducati. Over the course of the day, he shaved seconds off his lap times and wound up roughly one second off the fastest riders’ pace. Sacramento will be the only West Coast appearance during Bayliss’ five-race stint with AMA Pro Flat Track in 2015.
Bayliss’ Lloyd Brothers teammate, Johnny Lewis, will also be carrying the hopes of Ducati on his No. 10 machine. Lewis was fast in Springfield, but crashed in the main event after a steering malfunction. He’ll be ready to rebound in Sacramento.
Kenny Coolbeth Jr. and his No. 2 Zanotti Racing Harley-Davidson lead the Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines point standings by seven over defending Grand National Champion Jared Mees (53-46) on the No. 1 Rogers Racing Harley-Davidson. Smith is seventh in points with 28 following a slow start in Rounds 1 and 2 at DAYTONA Flat Track, but he’s looking to quickly close the gap.
Sammy Halbert, rider of the No. 7 Kawasaki, is off to a fast start with his new Briggs Auto/Scott Powersports team and sits third in points with 44. Brandon Robinson and his No. 44 Latus Motors/Castrol Triumph are fourth with 37 points, four in front of Briar Bauman, who rounds out the top five entering Sacramento on his No. 14 USC/Hart Racing Kawasaki.
This year’s Sacramento Mile will also see the return of the “Clash of the Titans,” which pitted two AMA Pro Flat Track legends, Chris Carr and Jay Springsteen against each other in a one-on-one on-track battle. The two thrilled fans with a back-and-forth exhibition which ultimately saw Springsteen take the win. Carr will be out to even the score this year.
According to the promoter a limited number of tickets are still available. Go to www.SactoMile.com to reserve.
