Richie Morris Racing’s Texter Scores Fifth Victory In Lone Star Half-Mile
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Fort Worth, Tex. (2017 Sept. 25) – Richie Morris Racing (RMR) rider Shayna Texter led every lap to score her fifth victory of the season in Saturday’s Lone Star Half-Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle at Texas Motor Speedway. The victory keeps her championship hopes alive with one race remaining in the American Flat Track (AFT) Singles season.
After winning her semi event earlier in the evening, Texter wasted no time in the final.
The Pennsylvanian got off the line third at the green light and went to the outside, taking the lead entering Turn 2. She led the rest of the way, fighting off challenges by Kolby Carlile, beating him to the checkered flag by 0.398 seconds.
“All I can do is go out there and win, have fun, and put on a good show,” said Texter, who moved up to second in the standings. “Tonight was very stressful, because the race track was so slippery. I had to stay calm and keep hitting my points. It took a lot of focus and concentration.”
Entering the season-ending Cycle Gear American Flat Track Finals presented by Indian Motorcycle at the Southern California Fair in Perris, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 7, Texter trails Carlile by 24 points, 250-226. She needs to win the finale and have her opponent score no more than one point.
“It’s not going to be easy – just like the other 17 rounds,” Texter said. “We’re not where we want to be in the championship – that flat tire in our last race really hurt. I’ve really got to thank my team tonight. They worked really hard after we qualified 10th earlier in the day. It’s been a strong effort by the entire Richie Morris Racing team – there are so many great people behind me.”
Texer, aboard the No. 52 RMR McElroy Packaging Honda CFR450R that also carries support from American Honda, Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda, Tucker Rocky, S&S Cycle, Performance Electronics, ProTaper and Roland Sands Design, leads all AFT Singles competitors with five victories among nine top-three podium finishes.
“We’re proud of her,” said team principal Richie Morris. “The guys worked real hard to give her a good setup and put a good bike under her. She was able to get on it and ride well. Now we’re going to go to California with the same attitude we had in Texas. We’ll go to win, and let the chips fall where they may.”
RMR teammate Jarod Vanderkooi captured his ninth top-10 finish of the season aboard the No. 20 RMR 750 Twin that is sponsored by McElroy Packaging, Tucker Rocky, Roland Sands Design, ProTaper, S&S Cycle and Performance Electronics. He finished sixth in his heat and fifth in the semi, and advanced from 10th to seventh in the early laps of the 25-lap main event and fought to hold the position.
“Jarod found a little speed near the end, finishing strong,” Morris said. “Now we’ve just got to get him starting a little better.”
AFT competitors will end the season with the Cycle Gear American Flat Track Finals presented by Indian Motorcycle in Perris, Calif., on October 7. Live coverage of all on-track activity can be viewed on FansChoice.tv.
