Ford Quality Checked-backed Chris Carr Wins Prestigious Syracuse Mile; Next Up Is Lima (Ohio) For AMA Flat Track Series Points Leader ‘Emotional’ victory for Carr a tribute to the late Aaron Creamer FLEETWOOD, Pa., (June 22, 2005) Defending AMA/Ford Quality Checked Certfied Pre-owned Flat Track Championship series champion Chris Carr and the Ford Quality Checked Team won the inaugural Aaron Creamer Memorial Syracuse Mile on Sunday by a mere four inches over Rich King at the New York State Fairgrounds. “I’ve won by that close of a margin, and lost by that close a margin many times,” said Carr of the exciting sport of flat track racing. “And even before we had photo finishes, I’ve lost when I thought I won and won when I thought I lost. That’s just how close flat track can be.” Carr’s weekend, as did all of the racers, started off slowly as heavy rains made for some sketchy conditions. “They called the race on Saturday and postponed it until Sunday which was a good decision,” said Carr. “The promoters did a real good job getting the track prepped for Sunday’s racing.” On Sunday Carr got things rolling well early, putting up some of the day’s fastest practice times, then won his scratch race and followed that up with a qualifier heat win including the fastest overall time which gave him first pick on the front line of the main event. Carr’s teammate, Willy McCoy, finished in second place in the heat and started on the first row next to Carr. Carr on the race: “I got a good start, moved up front and settled in to save the tires. In year’s past this track’s been a tire-eater. Took it easy after leading a couple laps early, but never fell below fourth or fifth. (Jay) Springsteen and King were the only two guys I saw for the last 15 laps. On lap 19 I took the lead and went on a mini break, led each of the last six laps through the checkers.” Note: With the win Carr extended his series points lead to 24 points over second place Kenny Coolbeth. The win for Carr, his second of the year, was a special one in that it was the first memorial contest honoring fallen racer Aaron Creamer. “It was a great end to a long weekend and it was really special to win at Aaron’s home. Having a race there in his honor reminds us all what a great person and great racer he was.” ‘Two-for-two’ on Father’s Day, according to Carr, the eldest of the Carr clan eight-year-old Cale took a victory lap with Chris in honor of his win. This weekend Carr, McCoy and the Ford Quality Checked Team travel to Lima, Ohio, for the Lima Half Mile – aka “The Lima National.” The longstanding course is one of the more difficult on the tour, according to Carr especially when you consider the unique surface the racers have to battle on. “They’ve run for 25 years there on a pea gravel-cushioned half mile,” said Carr, who’s won Lima four times and finished third there last year. “It’s a unique track, not a whole lot of them left on the schedule. A different style of riding where your really let it hang out and steer with the rear wheel.” With the broad sliding technique and loose surface, roost becomes a definite problem at Lima. “You definitely want to get a good start and get out front early,” said Carr. “That allows you to be hosing the other guys down with dirt instead of visa-versa.” The current AMA Flat Track champion, winningest active racer in the sport with 70 wins and six AMA Flat Track championship titles, the Chris Carr legend continues. For more information on Chris Carr, visit his website at www.chriscarr.com