LAKE ODESSA, Mich. (July 11, 2010) - On Saturday night the AMA Pro Racing elite came to the I-96 Speedway half mile and Latus Harley-Davidson / ENI USA R&M / Lloyd Brothers Motorsport's Joe Kopp overcame two restarts to take his #3 clad Harley-Davidson to win round eight of the K&N Filters Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-superstore.com series. The race was stopped the first time by oil on the track after just two laps. The red lights flashed again eleven laps in when Bryan Smith fell in turn two on his Kawasaki Monster Energy Drink backed #42 Kawasaki.

Zanotti Racing's #5 Jake Johnson had the hole shot the first time, but could not duplicate the second time around. "I knew I had to get out front and not make any mistakes," said Kopp. "I was the veteran, I should be able to keep the 'kids' behind me."

Kopp was pulling clear as Johnson and Harley-Davidson Motor Company's #2 Kenny Coolbeth fought over second when the second red flag came out.

The single file restart saw Johnson take a look inside going into the first turn, but he just couldn't get up along side and his fate was sealed. Coolbeth was all over Johnson, but no better luck. Late in the race King's Kustom / KK Motorcycle Supply's #7 Sammy Halbert, Rogers Lake Racing / Blue Springs Harley-Davidson's #1 Jared Mees and Lancaster Harley-Davidson / DFW Honda's #4 Chris Carr tried to make it a six way race, but after Mees passed Carr on lap twenty two the top positions were set.

Scott Powersport's #10 Johnny Lewis gave his Kawasaki it's best finish with a seventh after falling victim to the oil on the first start. White's Harley-Davidson's #20 Matt Weidman, KK Motorcycle Supply's #17 Henry Wiles and King's Kustom's Jethro Halbert rounded out the top ten.
AMA Pro Racing has implemented a new program for three of this year's races. The top ten riders in last year's Pro Singles class can have a provisional ride in the Expert class if they can secure a twins ride for the event. Tonight four riders took advantage of that.

#24P Jeff Carver (Lloyd Brothers Motorsports-Ducati), #71B James Rispoli (Lloyd Brothers Motorsports-Ducati), #25A Shayna Texter (Lancaster Harley-Davidson-Harley-Davidson) and Brad Baker, who switched his #1 Pro Singles number for a #17M Global Products / Lancaster Harley-Davidson backed Harley-Davidson were the only riders to take advantage.

Baker really took advantage, winning the second Expert Twins Semi. Then after finishing second to Carver (Van's Yamaha motor Co / GYTR) in the Pro Singles main he got off his Rod Lake / Mike Velasco backed Honda and put in twenty five more laps and came home a very respectful thirteenth. The finish did not earn him any GNC National points, just the experience and the $775.00 that went with it.

Cycle Dynamics / ANT Racing's #71B James Rispoli filled out the Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles Podium after the race was stopped on lap eleven when #81C Zakk Palmer (TLC Racing) fell in turn four.

The K&N Filters Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-superstore.com now moves west with Calistoga, CA the destination on July 31.