2014 AMA Flat Track: Springfield Mile I Results

Bryan Smith edged out Kenny Coolbeth Jr. by a mere 0.041 seconds to win the AMA Pro Flat Track Experts Twins race at the Springfield Mile.

The ten laps of the race saw Smith and his Kawasaki battling for the lead with Coolbeth and Jake Johnson and Jared Mees sitting close behind waiting for an opening. He found it, moving his Harley-Davidson past Johnson’s Ducati for third not long before the race was halted with Stevie Bonsey crashing on Lap 14.

Bonsey slid into the Airfence and was fortunately not injured and was able to join the other riders for the restart. Unfortunately for the Harley-Davidson rider, the quick repair work to his bike may have missed something and he crashed for a second time shortly after the restart.

A problem with the starting lights nullified the next staggered restart, as half of the grid remained in their starting markers as the leaders shot out ahead. The lead riders were reined in and the race was restarted again.

This time the start was clean with Smith again leading the way. Johnson found a line on the outside to temporarily take the lead before Smith regained the lead at the end of the lap.

The red flags came out once again on Lap 20 as Bonneville Performance Triumph rider Mikey Martin crashed, setting up a five-lap sprint to the finish.

Smith was once again at the front but he had to be careful of Coolbeth who stayed at his rear tire looking for an opening on the outside line. Coolbeth saw his chance on the final lap but Smith kept him on the outside and stayed in the lead, holding on for the close finish. Mees was not far behind in third place ahead of Johnson while Brad Baker rounded out the top five.

The AMA Flat Track season continues June 15 with the Knoxville Half Mile in Knoxville, Iowa. Coolbeth sits on top of the season standings with 53 points ahead of Johnson in second.

By Dennis Chung