DaveInDaytona
08-16-2002, 01:09 PM
CARR HOPING TO CONTINUE REIGN AS PRINCE OF PEORIA
PICKERINGTON, Ohio ? The Peoria TT is one of the classic events in all of
motorcycle racing. This Sunday is the 54th edition of the famed event. Over the
years a number of riders have proven their skill on the unique TT circuit.
Legends such as Motorcycle Hall of Famers Joe Leonard, Dick Mann, Bart Markel
and Ricky Graham were all multiple winners at Peoria, but none mastered the TT
like current AMA Grand National Champion Chris Carr, of Fleetwood, Pa. Carr has
earned a record 13 wins at Peoria dating back to 1986, including a stretch
between 1988 and 1995 where he earned eight-straight wins on the grounds of the
Peoria Motorcycle Club. Carr has been so successful at Peoria that he's earned
the moniker the "Prince of Peoria."
Peoria is round 13 of the 20-race AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track
Championship. Carr leads the points standing coming into Sunday's race in one of
the most competitive seasons in the 48-year history of the AMA Flat Track
racing. There have been 10 winners in the 12 rounds leading up to Peoria. Only
22 points separate the top four riders in the series. A good performance at
Peoria could be enough to put a rider atop the standings.
Joe Kopp of Mica, Wash., and long-time racing veteran and former champ Jay
Springsteen, from Lapeer, Mich., are the only other active riders besides Carr
to win Peoria. That could change this weekend.
Harley-Davidson factory rider Rich King is coming off a win last weekend at the
half-mile in Hagerstown, Md., and is primed for a win at Peoria. King, from
Dysart, Iowa, has never won the race despite three consecutive podium finishes.
Former winner Kopp is always strong on the TT circuit, having grown up racing
this type of track frequently in the Pacific Northwest. And JR Schnabel, from
West Bend, Wis., is a young gun who has been a top runner at the track since he
turned pro.
But perhaps the biggest threat in Carr's incredible run at Peoria comes from
Owensboro, Ky., in the form of the three Hayden brothers ? Tommy, Nicky and
Roger Lee. All three have proven to be excellent TT racers and the brothers made
history in May at the Springfield (Ill.) TT when the brothers went
one-two-three, with Nicky winner over Tommy and Roger Lee. It marked the first
time in racing history that brothers filled the podium. With the addition of the
Haydens this year's Peoria could be one of the most memorable in years.
</p>
PICKERINGTON, Ohio ? The Peoria TT is one of the classic events in all of
motorcycle racing. This Sunday is the 54th edition of the famed event. Over the
years a number of riders have proven their skill on the unique TT circuit.
Legends such as Motorcycle Hall of Famers Joe Leonard, Dick Mann, Bart Markel
and Ricky Graham were all multiple winners at Peoria, but none mastered the TT
like current AMA Grand National Champion Chris Carr, of Fleetwood, Pa. Carr has
earned a record 13 wins at Peoria dating back to 1986, including a stretch
between 1988 and 1995 where he earned eight-straight wins on the grounds of the
Peoria Motorcycle Club. Carr has been so successful at Peoria that he's earned
the moniker the "Prince of Peoria."
Peoria is round 13 of the 20-race AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track
Championship. Carr leads the points standing coming into Sunday's race in one of
the most competitive seasons in the 48-year history of the AMA Flat Track
racing. There have been 10 winners in the 12 rounds leading up to Peoria. Only
22 points separate the top four riders in the series. A good performance at
Peoria could be enough to put a rider atop the standings.
Joe Kopp of Mica, Wash., and long-time racing veteran and former champ Jay
Springsteen, from Lapeer, Mich., are the only other active riders besides Carr
to win Peoria. That could change this weekend.
Harley-Davidson factory rider Rich King is coming off a win last weekend at the
half-mile in Hagerstown, Md., and is primed for a win at Peoria. King, from
Dysart, Iowa, has never won the race despite three consecutive podium finishes.
Former winner Kopp is always strong on the TT circuit, having grown up racing
this type of track frequently in the Pacific Northwest. And JR Schnabel, from
West Bend, Wis., is a young gun who has been a top runner at the track since he
turned pro.
But perhaps the biggest threat in Carr's incredible run at Peoria comes from
Owensboro, Ky., in the form of the three Hayden brothers ? Tommy, Nicky and
Roger Lee. All three have proven to be excellent TT racers and the brothers made
history in May at the Springfield (Ill.) TT when the brothers went
one-two-three, with Nicky winner over Tommy and Roger Lee. It marked the first
time in racing history that brothers filled the podium. With the addition of the
Haydens this year's Peoria could be one of the most memorable in years.
</p>