DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 21, 2009) - Round five of the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship returned to Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tenn. Weeks of rain had left the small bowl of a race track in sketchy condition at best, but hard work by the track crew and the AMA Pro Racing show was able to go on.

A great show it was as Graham, Washington's Sammy Halbert willed his Halbert Family / King's Kustoms backed Harley-Davidson to his first Grand National Twins win. Just seven days ago it appeared Halbert's season may be over as he was in the middle of the horrific accident at the Dayton, Ohio half-mile, but the youngster proved to be very resilient. Halbert was fast qualifier, won the second fastest heat, pocketed $1,000 and five points in the Dash before out dueling Blue Springs Screamin' Eagle's Jared Mees and Harley-Davidson Motor Company's Kenny Coolbeth.

Oppressive heat and humidity led to the threat of rain and the program was interrupted twice by weather, between the two Pro Singles heats and again during the Pro Singles Main. Brothers Power Sports' Brad Baker led the twelve lap main from the start and had a comfortable lead over Red Bull / Team 95's JD Beach and Lancaster Harley-Davidson's Shayna Texter when the rain hit on Lap 8. With over sixty percent of the laps run the race was called complete.

The rain did not last long and trucks quickly ironed the track back into shape for the twenty five lap Grand National. Lightning was flashing on the horizon as the nineteen rider field rushed into the first turn. Halbert hustled his Harley to the point with Coolbeth, then Mees pushing for the lead. Mees grabbed the lead on Lap 5 only to have the red lights flash on one lap later.

AJ Eslick had spun down in Turn 2 and although he was trying to wrestle his Harley off the track, it was still on the racing surface, forcing the red.

AJ got his R&D Machine mount back for the restart, but was only able to complete six more laps before dropping out.

Mees picked back up where he left off and looked to be on his way to repeating his 2007 win on the high banked oval, but Halbert had other ideas and regained the lead on lap twelve. All the while the two leaders battled away Coolbeth was positioned to pounce on any mistake. Despite numerous challenges between the three the podium positions were set.

Screamin' Eagle Moroney's Harley-Davidson's Bryan Smith ended up in a distant fourth place with 2008 Rookie of the Year, Mack Daddy Racing's Matt Weidman closing in near the end. Chris Carr Racing / Lancaster Harley-Davidson's Chris Carr barely edged SuperTrapp's Jake Johnson for sixth.

Delano Sports Center / Donahue Racing's Jake Mataya, Rogers Lake Racing's Shaun Russell and Action Motorsport's Brandon Robinson filled out the top ten.

Of note on the night, Brian Phillips was able to get the Bonneville Performance Racing Triumph in the team's first National main. Hall's Cycles / Kiesow Racing's Logan Scherb and Team Movin' Mike / TNT Harley-Davidson's Kevin Vance also made their first National mains.

The Pro Singles Point Standings find tonight's winner Brad Baker back on top with 83 points. James Rispoli and JD Beach trail with 76 and 71 points respectively.

Defending Grand National Champion Kenny Coolbeth once again, after two races, leads the chase with 43 points. Jared Mees and Chris Carr follow with 38 and 32.

Coolbeth has also moved into the lead in the overall championship as he has 88 points. Sammy Halbert moves to second with 82, Jared Mees also slipped around previous leader JR Schnabel, 80-78.

RESULTS

PRO SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP MAIN EVENT (18 riders, 8 laps): 1. Brad Baker (Hon); 2. JD Beach (Hon); 3. Shayna Texter (Suz); 4. James Rispoli (Hon); 5. Lucas Scherb (Hsq); 6. Zach Palmer (Hon); 7. Michael Toon (Hon); 8. Jeff Carver (Yam); 9. Colt Chebultz (Hon); 10. Jacob Shoemaker (Suz); 11. Robert Jones Jr. (Hon); 12. Hunter King (Hon); 13. William Cato (Hon); 14. Corey Crawford (Hon); 15. Cory Strickler (Yam); 16. John Long (Suz); 17. Garret Wilson (Yam); 18. Andrew Smith (Hon).

GRAND NATIONAL TWINS CHAMPIONSHIP MAIN EVENT (19 riders, 25 laps): 1. Sammy Halbert (H-D); 2. Jared Mees (H-D); 3. Kenny Coolbeth (H-D); 4. Bryan Smith (H-D); 5. Matt Weidman (H-D); 6. Chris Carr (H-D); 7. Jake Johnson (H-D); 8. Jake Mataya (H-D); 9. Shaun Russell (H-D); 10. Brandan Robinson (H-D); 11. Joe Kopp (H-D); 12. Brandan Bergen (H-D); 13. Steve Murray (H-D); 14. JR Schnabel (H-D); 15. Logan Scherb (H-D); 16. Kevin Vance (H-D); 17. Bryan Bigelow (H-D); 18. Brian Phillips (Tri); 19. AJ Eslick (H-D).