MEES GRABS POINTS LEAD WITH SECOND PLACE AT SPRINGFIELD

Injury Forces Coolbeth to Miss Grand National Twins Race

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Sept. 5, 2009) – Blue Springs Harley-Davidson/Screamin' Eagle rider Jared Mees took over the lead in the AMA Grand National Twins championship standings with a second-place finish on the Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The race, which was delayed to facilitate track grooming after heavy rains on Saturday and early Sunday, was won by SuperTrapp/F&S rider Jake Johnson on a Harley-Davidson XR-750.

Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle factory rider Kenny Coolbeth, the three-time defending Grand National Twins champion and series points leader following his win at Indianapolis on August 29, was injured in a training accident during the week and did not attempt to qualify at Springfield.

“I broke my shoulder,” said Coolbeth. “I tried a few laps here but I just could not hold on. With all the rain last night the track is really rough. I think if we would have had normal Springfield track conditions I might have given it a shot, but it was just too much. I expect to be ready to race at the final event at Pomona.”

Mees made a late-race charge to catch and then pass Johnson for the lead on the 25th and final lap of the main. But Mees faltered coming out of turn four, allowing Johnson to re-take the lead and nip Mees at the finish by 0.048 seconds.

Halbert Family/King Kustoms rider Sammy Halbert finished third, 1.369 seconds behind the leader. Moroney’s Harley-Davidson/Screamin' Eagle rider Bryan Smith was fourth, followed by Latus Harley-Davidson/Screamin’ Eagle rider Joe Kopp in fifth. Halbert won the four-lap Dash for Cash bonus race.

Mees leaves Springfield with a 15-point lead over Coolbeth in the series championship with just one race left on the schedule, where a finish of eighth or better will be enough to secure the title.

“We still have a chance at the championship,” said Coolbeth, “but Jared has really been riding well. I’m going to have to win at Pomona and then we’ll see how it shakes out.”

Mees has 128 points, followed by Coolbeth with 113, Smith with 111 and Halbert with 109. Lancaster Haley-Davidson rider Chris Carr, who was 10th at Springfield, is in fifth place with 104 points. Johnson is sixth with 101 points.

The 2009 AMA Grand National Twins Championship will conclude on Oct. 24 at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds half-mile in Pomona, Calif.

Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts are inspired by and built in the spirit of the raw adrenaline and power of motorcycle racing. Screamin' Eagle Pro parts are specifically designed for race-use applications, while Screamin' Eagle parts offer street-use performance options for the Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner. Visit www.harley-davidson.com for more information.

The Screamin' Eagle Flat Track team is sponsored by Matco Tools.