Jake Johnson Wins the Springfield Mile

Half way through the race, Mees stuck up on both Wiles and Kopp.

The race started to look more like the Springfield Mile than the Springfield Short Track as the lead trio started to trade positions. Kopp would maintain the lead at the line, but Wiles and Mees were closing fast with Yeager Cycles / Dave Burks Motorsports' No. 87 Mick Kirkness sneaking into the fray.

Lap 11 saw Mees in second and pressuring for the lead, but Wiles was back on Lap 15 and shot into the lead on Lap 20. Wiles started pulling away as Kopp added a small cushion over Mees. The win gave Wiles the AMA Pro Grand National Expert Singles Championship.

Mees had his hands full as the Australian champion was making a fierce charge trying for his first GNC podium finish. Woody Kyle Racing / Fredericktown Yamaha's No. 43 Sammy Halbert made a late-race pass for fifth over Weidman. Defending Singles Champion, No. 1 Jake Johnson worked his SuperTrapp / F&S / Saddlemen backed Honda from the back to a seventh-place finish. Carr, Schnabel and Mataya rounded out the top ten.

Surprisingly, earlier in the program the Pro Singles Championship was decided with one race left on their schedule. Mike Velasco / Brothers Powersports' No. 17M Brad Baker started the day with a ten point lead over Weirbach Racing / Barnett's No. 71B James Rispoli.

#24p Jeff Carver and #71b just did not have enough for Baker.

When the twelve lap main got under way, it was Championship contenders Rispoli, Baker and Van's Yamaha / Stevens Racing's No. 24P Jeff Carver running up front.

#17m riding like a champion.

Rispoli was able to control the race for nine laps, but Baker slipped by on Lap 10. Rispoli quickly responded, but slipped wide and Baker drove right back into the lead. The championship was decided in Turn 4 of the last lap, when Rispoli tried to get inside of Baker off Turn 4, only to get into the leader's rear wheel, slamming the challenger to the ground and giving the race win and AMA Pro Grand National Pro Singles Championship to Baker. Left with now where to go, Carver was gathered up in the incident as well.

Just like Henry Wiles, Baker won the race and the Championship.

Southland Racing / O'Neal's No. 42E Kayl Kolkman snaked his way through the carnage for second. RLJ Racing / Sunnyside Cycle's No. 82B won a drag race off Turn 4 over Mom & Dad / Greenland & Son Masonary's Mike Poe for the last podium spot. RESULTS
Illinois State Fairgrounds
Springfield, IL
September 7

AMA Pro Racing Pro Singles Championship: (18 riders / 12 laps) 1. Brad Baker (Hon); 2. Kayl Kolkman (Hon); 3. Jeremy Higgins (Hon); 4. Mike Poe (Kaw); 5. Jake Shoemaker (Suz); 6. Stephen Vanderkuur (Hon); 7. Kenny Malaguarnero (Hon); 8. Zach Palmer (Hon); 9. Cory Strickler (Yam); 10. Andrew Smith (Hon); 11. Joe Parks (Hon); 12. Adam Cobb (Yam); 13. Lucas Scherb (Hsq); 14. Shayna Texter (Suz); 15. John Long (Suz); 16. James Rispoli (Suz); 17. Jeff Carver (Yam); 18. Kurtis Lee (Hon). Time: 2:44.763

AMA Pro Racing Grand National Singles Championship: (18 riders / 25 laps) 1. Henry Wiles (Kaw); 2. Joe Kopp (Hon); 3. Jared Mees (Hon); 4. Mick Kirkness (Suz); 5. Sammy Halbert (Yam); 6. Matt Weidman (Hon); 7. Jake Johnson (Hon); 8. Chris Carr (Hon); 9. JR Schnabel (Yam); 10. Jake Mataya (Kaw); 11. Don Taylor (Hon); 12. AJ Eslick (Suz); 13. Stevie Bonsey (Hon); 14. Brandan Bergen (Hon); 15. Chad Cose (Hon); 16. Aaron King (KTM); 17. Mike Radley (Hon); 18. Brady Mueller (Hon).

Time: 5:36.498

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization operates and manages AMA Pro Road Racing, which includes AMA Pro American Superbike, AMA Pro Daytona SportBike, AMA Pro SuperSport and AMA Pro SunTrust Moto-GT. AMA Pro Racing also manages and works closely with the day-to-day operational organizations of the AMA Pro Flat Track Championship and the AMA Pro Supermoto Championship Series in addition to other two-wheel and ATV series. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at

www.amaproracing.com