File photo by Larry Lawrence
It’s been a longtime coming, but Jared Mees finally nailed down a victory at round eight of the AMA Pro Flat Track Championship at the Black Hills Half-Mile in Rapid City, South Dakota, during the 75th anniversary of Sturgis Bike Week. Mees led flag to flag aboard his Kenny Tolbert-tuned Las Vegas H-D/Rogers Racing Harley-Davidson XR750. He only faced a brief challenge from Zanotti Racing Harley rider Kenny Coolbeth, Jr., but a lapped rider got in Coolbeth’s way late in the race ending any chance he had of catching Mees. Briar Bauman took a solid third on his USC/Hart Racing Kawasaki.
For Mees, the victory not only marked his first national win of 2015, but also extended his series lead over rival Bryan Smith, who finished sixth. Mees now leads the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines Series by 18 points (137-119) over Smith. Sammy Halbert, who was fifth, is third with 114.
Factory Harley-Davidson rider Brad Baker’s title hopes took a big hit when his bike suffered issues early and he had to pull out of the race. (Note: It was later learned it was not in fact a mechanical for Baker, but he actually broke his leg early in the race and had to pull out.)
“It feels so good to finally get this win,” said a jubilant Mees after the race. “I’ve had such a great season, but no wins to show for it. I knew the start was going to be important and I nailed it and was able to build a good lead. At one point I looked back and saw Kenny catching me and I didn’t know what was going to happen. But to win here at Sturgis during the 75th anniversary and doing it for Harley-Davidson, I just couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Davis Fisher convincingly won the GNC2 race, extending his points lead in that series over second-place finisher Dan Bromley. Ryan Wells took third.
The series next moves to the Peoria TT National on Aug. 16.
Black Hills Half-Mile AMA Pro Grand National Results, Aug. 4, 2015
1 1 Jared Mees, Harley-Davidson.
2 2 Kenny Coolbeth Jr. , Harley-Davidson.
3 14 Briar Bauman, Kawasaki.
4 80 Stevie Bonsey, Harley-Davidson.
5 7 Sammy Halbert, Harley-Davidson.
6 42 Bryan Smith , Kawasaki.
7 27 Robert Pearson, Harley-Davidson.
8 16 Wyatt Maguire, Harley-Davidson.
9 17 Henry Wiles, Harley-Davidson.
10 73 Doug Lawrence, Harley-Davidson.
