Progressive AFT - News - Most memorable Expert moments of 2014: No. 4

Most memorable Expert moments of 2014: No. 4 - The King of Cool dominates Indy

November 18, 2014

Note: We will be counting down the top five most memorable moments in 2014 from the Expert ranks each day this week. This is No. 4.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 18, 2014) - At 37 years old and as a three-time GNC Expert Twins champion, Kenny Coolbeth has gained plenty of respect around the AMA Pro Racing Paddock. But with Bryan Smith being simply dominant on mile tracks on his Kawasaki, Coolbeth wasn’t exactly the favorite at the Indy Mile on Aug. 8.

With MotoGP superstar Marc Marquez on hand to serve as Grand Marshal, and tons of other motorcycle celebrities at the track, the Indiana State Fairgrounds were rocking on Aug. 8.
But instead of a runaway effort from Smith, like many might have expected, the raucous crowd witnessed Coolbeth dominate to the tune of a 2.470-second victory on his Zanotti Racing Harley-Davidson.

"This is great for us," said Coolbeth. "I feel so comfortable with my bike and my team right now. They are putting so much effort into my program every single day and it feels so good for it to pay off here tonight. Smith has the whole package, there is no denying that, but tonight we had it."

The win was one of four on the year for Coolbeth, and the first of two wins on miles. His win at the second running of the Springfield Mile was further proof of a leveled playing field among manufacturers.

It’s not to say that Bryan Smith wasn’t also fast on his Kawasaki though. At both Indy and Springfield, he was the runner-up to Coolbeth.