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AMA FLAT TRACK: Wiles Prevails in Peoria
Written by: Dave Hoenig   
06/12/2007
Peoria, IL
 
Joe Kopp and Henry Wiles (Photo: Dave Hoenig / flattrakfotos.com) ยป More Photos

The AMA National Hot Shoe Series rolled into the Peoria Motorcycle Club's fabled Peoria Race Park on Sunday, June 10. This race is used by most of the Grand National competitors as a true test for the August Grand National. If that is the case, it appears to be business as usual. Henry Wiles has won the last three Nationals here, and despite a change in teams and motorcycle brands, the Obermeyer Yamaha / Troy Lee Designs / Ron Hamp Cycle-backed Wiles came away with a close win over Lanpheres Beaverton-Renton Honda's Joe Kopp.

When the 17-rider Expert Main hit the firs turn of the 15-lap race it was Wiles out front with the Prince of Peoria, Chris Carr, holding his Quality Checked Pre-Owned Ford KTM to Wiles' hip. Moroney's Honda / Tucker Rocky's Bryan Smith, American Suzuki / Parts Unlimited / Dave Burks Motorsports' JR Schnabel, Kopp, and Schnabel's teammate, Jake Johnson, were four wide right behind.

Wiles quickly slipped
away leaving Carr and Johnson fighting over second. Kopp was able to get around Schnabel on lap three, but remained a distance back of the Carr/Johnson battle. Wiles appeared to be checking out when the yellow flags came out. Just as the race reached its halfway point, Clawson Motorsports / Zanotti Racing / Fresno Harley-Davidson's Brandan Bergen fell coming off the jump. The red flag soon followed and the race was restarted from lap 6.

Bergen was able to make repairs and restart the race in last place. With his lead evaporated, Wiles was challenged by Kopp as he had roared around the outside of Carr and Johnson and into second place.

Johnson was challenging for second when he fell in Turn 4. The race continued with Kopp making up ground quickly. Carr could only watch as the two leaders started to wage a fierce battle. Schnabel, Smith, and RJ Performance / Maxxis' Matt Burton were locked in a race for fourth.
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