Kopp earns first Daytona victory

From Daytona International Speedway
With files from John Hopkins and Frank Wood

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – It took Joe Kopp 16 years to do it, but he finally earned his first career AMA Grand National short track victory and as far as the Latus Harley-Davidson Honda mounted rider is concerned it couldn’t have come at a better track. For Kopp his win Thursday night at Daytona’s Municipal Stadium gave him a career dirt track Grand Slam (victories on mile, half-mile, TT and short track circuits).

Kopp led nearly the entire 25-lap main, being challenged the entire way by Bettencourt Honda’s Kenny Coolbeth, who led briefly during the middle stages of the race. Henry Wiles, who won Wednesday’s leg of the Daytona doubleheader series opener, finished third and leaves Daytona with the series lead.

It marks the first time in Wiles’ career that he’s led the series standings.

“It’s taken me a long time to get that first short track win,” Kopp said. “I didn’t know if I was going to retire before getting one or not. Today I didn’t have it going from the get-go, but I’ve worked hard all winter to be able to overcome stuff like this and it paid off in a big way. With five [laps] to go I thought there was no way I could hold on to this, but here we are and it feels great.”

Coolbeth was happy with his runner-up finish, especially considering his normal tough luck at Daytona.

“This place usually gives me fits,” said the defending AMA Grand National Twin Champion. “I had a good race and had a chance to win. Joe kept making little mistakes and then I would do the same, but at the end Joe was just a little too fast.”

Wiles joked on the podium saying that Kopp gave him an elbow when he passed.

“It’s all good though,” said Wiles, who had a hard run in with Kopp on Wednesday. “That’s racing at Daytona for you.”

JR Schnabel was fourth on the Memphis Shades Yamaha and Jared Mees rounded out the top five riding a Pro Honda Oils Honda.

Kopp’s margin of victory was 0.373-seconds. It marked Honda’s first victory on the Daytona Short Track since Danny Ingram’s victory in 1993.

Welland, ON's Donald Taylor finished 10th on a Suzuki after claiming a ninth on Wednesday night. The Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada/Clare's Cycle-backed rider started on the third row after having to qualify through the semis. He had been holding a transfer spot in fourth place in his heat race but lost the spot to Brandan Bergen in controversial circumstances.

"I'm really bummed out I didn't transfer directly," said Taylor, who had gone straight from his heat to the final on Wednesday. "I didn't think I'd do well after the bump [from Bergen]. I knew he was coming and I knew he was going to take me out. That's the way he rides."

Taylor had arrived at Daytona with a Honda but found the bike wasn't suitable for the short track. He was loaned a Suzuki, however, by Mike Hacker, who last year ran rising star Matt Weidman, who competed in Canada earlier in his career. Hacker was reportedly impressed by Taylor's effort.

Mississauga, ON's Doug Lawrence failed to make the Grand National main event on either night at the Municipal Stadium.

Four Canadians made Thursday night's Pro Sport final, which was won by James Rispoli. Mike Labelle placed eighth, while Colin and Nigel Heggarty were ninth and 11th. Jesse Morgan suffered a fall and injured a finger.

The Canucks had impressed in qualifying, with Collin Heggarty third fastest in qualifying, Nigel Heggarty winning his heat and Labelle placing third in his heat.