Reigning AMA Flat Track Champ Mees gets an overdue victory at the XGames Flat Track at Circuit of the Americas.
Story & Photos by Dave Hoenig
Despite all the efforts of Mother Nature to disrupt the opening night of ESPN’s Summer XGames at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, the Harley-Davidson Flat-Track competition was held right on time on Thursday evening, June 2.
Torrental rains plagued south Texas and the Austin area for months and the weather forecasters were predicting the possibility of even more record setting storms. Through the tireless efforts of the track crew and staff a very raceable half mile was turned over to the 23 invited racers where after coming within one lap of winning the inaugural XGames Half Mile in 2015 Jared Mees was on a mission this year and it paid off with Gold.
“It’s awesome,” the Rogers Racing/Las Vegas Harley-Davidson/Monster Energy-backed Mees rider said. “It feels like I just won the Grand National Championship, honestly. Last year when we came to the XGames I wanted to be the first guy to win it. I was so close and it didn’t happen and I heard about it until tonight. To come here and to win it and to also win here in April, I feel like I am definitely the dominant guy. My initial thought as I went across the finish line was, ‘Hallelujah’ and I’m so glad we got it in and I got what I wanted. Right now I’m just honored to win gold.”
With dark, ominous clouds and lightening in the distance, the made-for TV schedule was revised and the 12-rider main was decided by the two heat races, with no last chance qualifier. Brad Baker (Harley-Davidson Motor Company/Vance & Hines/Monster Energy) and Jeffrey Carver (Goodwin Racing/Carver’s BBQ/Ben Evans Racing) were the two winners.
When the gate dropped, literally, on the 20-lap main event, Australia-born Mick Kirkness (Nitro Civil/Harley-Davidson of Salina) got away first. When the field piled into the first turn, defending Gold Medal winner, Bryan Smith (Crosley Brands/Kawasaki/Howerton Racing) tried to cut low and lost the front end on the slick bottom. Smith hit the ground, and his bike was collected by Sammy Halbert (BriggsAuto.com/Martin Trucking). Neither rider was injured, but both were out of the race.
Zanotti Racing/Harley-Davidson Motor Company/Classic Harley-Davidson backed Jake Johnson flashed into the lead down the back straight and maintained control for four laps before giving way to Baker. Mees, riding with his traditional #9 on his XR750 Harley-Davidson, was methodically working his way to the front after a somewhat slow start. One lap later Mees moved into second and started to harass Baker.
Mees made his move and took the lead on lap eight, but Zanotti Racing/Harley-Davidson Motor Company/Monster Energy’s Kenny Coolbeth was recovering from a poor start, and he began to close rapidly on Mees.
“I showed him a wheel a little too early,” Coolbeth said. “He was struggling in turns three and four, trying to get it turned. I showed him a wheel with five or six laps to go and he played defense and from there it was just following him. All-in-all he deserves it after last year, so it’s good. I’m happy and hopefully next year we’ll be in his spot.”
Brad Baker had lost the leaders pace and Jake Johnson was all over him. The fight went down to the wire, but Baker prevailed for the bronze medal.
“It feels great any time you get on the box, but here at the XGames it’s just a little bit extra special,” Baker said. “Kenny and Jared had something for me. I got out front quick. I thought I had a good line, but I started over riding the motorcycle a little bit. I was hopping around some and they were being a little smoother. To get a bronze medal for a second year in a row is cool. Hats off to Jared for getting a gold after what happened last year. Harley-Davidson 1-2-3, it’s pretty cool for the Harley-Davidson Motor Company.”
Kirkness was able to hold onto fifth over Brandon Robinson (Kennedy Racing/Armbruster Racing) and the first non-Harley rider, Johnny Lewis (Lifeproof/Lloyd Brothers Motorsports) on a Ducati. Davis Fisher brought the new Harley-Davidson XG750R home in eighth. Heat winner Jeffrey Carver suffered a flat tire while running fifth and Bonneville Performance / Castrol backed Jake Shoemaker had his Triumph expire on lap nine.
2016 XGames Half Mile
Circuit of the Americas
Austin, Texas
Results: June 2, 2016
Main Event
1. Jared Mees (H-D)
2. Kenny Coolbeth (H-D)
3. Brad Baker (H-D)
4. Jake Johnson (H-D)
5. Mick Kirkness (H-D)
6. Brandon Robinson (H-D)
7. Johnny Lewis (Duc)
8. Davis Fisher (H-D)
9. Jeffrey Carver (H-D)
10. Jake Shoemaker (Tri)
11. Bryan Smith (Kaw)
12. Sammy Halbert (H-D)
Your Privacy Choices