Sammy Halbert came through with a surprising victory in the AMA Grand National in Bulls Gap, Tenn., Saturday night. Halbert had a great battle with former Bulls Gap winner Jared Mess. Kenny Coolbeth also challenged for the lead for several laps.
Sammy Halbert (43) and Jared Mees (21) had a great battle at Bulls Gap. (Larry Lawrence photo)
It was Halbert’s first Grand National Twins victory. He previously took a Grand National Singles win at the Castle Rock (Wash.) TT.
It was a quick comeback for Halbert, whose face was cut in a crash last weekend in Daytona that left his older brother Jethro with a broken ankle and wrist and Nick Cummings in a coma. Sammy’s arm got stuck between the wheel and fork tube of his tumbling machine and tweaked his shoulder and suffered a deep facial cut.
Coolbeth, Halbert and Mees on the podium at Bulls Gap. (Larry Lawrence photo)
Mees finished second and Coolbeth third. Coolbeth hangs on to the series lead over Mees by just five points.
Volunteer Speedway had a decent crowd, especially considering a lot of storms floating around the area. The track got hit twice by brief showers.
Brad Baker won the Pro Singles race, taking over the series lead. (Larry Lawrence photo)