Jared Mees rode a very aggressive race to win the 2017 Labor Day Springfield Mile. It was a dog fight from beginning to end with six riders glued together for the entirety of the 25 laps. Of course, The Indian Juggernaut was expected to dominate but the crowd was ready to see the three bike team vanquished by some brave heroic sliding salvation. It almost happened as Sammy Halbert fought the Wigwam Racers with everything he had, much to the delight of the crowd. He sliced and diced with them until he was out front and showing his Yamaha FZ-07 had the beans to do the job. They were some glorious laps with 69 proving on "The Mile" that he meant business. This was Flat Track at its best. The track was as perfect as it has ever been ( according to Mees due to the fact the 450s who run around the pole and create a narrow blue groove, were not racing. With only Twins on the track the racing surface was wide and up to the fence.) Sammy could not fight three expert Milers working together for too long and he was selectively displaced to a very close 4th on the exciting last lap.
Want to feel the excitement of Grand National Racing?, stand right here at Springfield and you will get it and be a fan for life.
Magic moments on "The Mile". Sammy pulled the trigger, drafted by the three Indians and showed them some sweet Yamaha power.
Taking nothing away from winner Mees but, Sammy Halbert rode the wheels of his bike all day and showed what a fighter he is and how fantastic racing is at Springfield.
Briar Bauman on the Zanotti Kawasaki 650 was always a contender in the lead pack and looked like he was lining up for another Win in 2017. It wasn't to be as the Coolbeth red flag foiled his momentum and then Robinson relegated him to 6th place. Briar is strong on the fast Zanotti Kawi and he has the potential to get on top of the box again with just a few races remaining.
Jeff Carver but on a show on his Kawi. This guy was right there in the thick of it all day long battling with all his might. Carver really adds a lot to the intensity of the racing.
Brandon Robinson,Team Harley-Davidson who ended up 5th ! took advantage of the restart caused by his team mate, Kenny Coolbeth Jr whose Factory Harley seized up, locking the back wheel and putting the National Champ into the wall in the most unceremonious fashion. If not for the incredible skill Kenny displayed, it could have been really disastrous. Coolbeth's patience has got to be running very thin with the new Harley racer. I bet he longs for his old winning Zanotti XR750 !
