Posted October 9, 2007

Comeback Kid Chuckie Creech Wins Round 8 of Extreme Dirt Track

Three weeks ago, Chuckie Creech (#25) of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, was lying in a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, hospital with six cracked ribs, a collapsed lung and several bumps and bruises.

On September 22, he battled with the best racers from all across the country aboard his Honda to win the final round of the Duro Extreme Dirt ATVA Nationals.

The Fayette County Fairgrounds in Brownstown, Illinois, played host to the final round. Brownstown is a new location for the series and proved to be an excellent choice because the fairgrounds featured all the amenities necessary for this large event.

The Pro class was divided into two qualifiers. The first qualifier was red-flagged because of a crash, and on the restart it was Shane Hitt (#5) of Buckhannon, West Virginia, aboard a Honda pulling the holeshot and leading all six laps. Behind Hitt was Honda-mounted Frank Batista (#13) of Riverdale, California, followed by Michael Coburn (#038) of Garretson, South Dakota, also on a Honda.

In the second qualifier, Honda-mounted Harold Goodman (#708) of Romulus, Michigan, pulled the holeshot and opened up a big lead over the rest of the pack. Creech battled to finish second, while Danny McGraw (#143) of Hale, Missouri, claimed third aboard his Honda.

The weather was perfect for the main event without a cloud in the sky and with perfect temperatures.

Hitt earned first pick on the line with the fastest time in the qualifying heats, with Goodman second.

In the main, with the engines roaring and the tires spinning, it was Creech into turn one first. Goodman was by his side, but moved in behind as the turns got tighter. Willett was in third, Hitt fourth and Honda-mounted Chris Fristoe (#206) of Hickory, Kentucky, fifth.

Lap after lap, as Creech and Goodman would approach the option lane, Creech would go outside and Goodman inside. With them racing side by side to the intersection, everyone would hold their breath to see who would emerge out front.

You would think a hospital stay, broken ribs, collapsed lung and missed training would slow Creech down near the end, but it was Creech for 20 consecutive very fast and hotly contested laps.

Back in the pack there were a number of changes as Hitt passed Willett for third at the halfway point. Coburn worked his way up to claim fifth.

At the checkered flag, it was Creech with his first win, and three other podium finishes for the season. Goodman was a solid second, Hitt third, Willett fourth and Coburn fifth.

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