Joe Kopp’s victory Sunday on the Beulah Park Mile in Grove City, Ohio, may very well be one for the record books. No one at the race could remember the last time someone won a Grand National by 22 seconds, much less on a mile where the action generally stays tight.
More photos to follow tomorrow, but here’s one of the man who nabbed his first victory of the season Sunday and did it in style.
Joe Kopp leading Bryan Smith early in the race at Grove City. This was as close as anyone got to Kopp Sunday. (Larry Lawrence photo)
Rider Files 
Great Shot Larry, I didn’t think about shooting from that point in turn one. I shot from the outside a few times (about where Smith is..) I just couldn’t get a good enough shot from there.
I did get a cool shot of you taking pics from the outside of the track.
BTP
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Thanks Brent. Outside turn one was a great place to shoot, although it made me a little nervous. I don’t move as fast as I once did.
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The last time I remember anyone winning by a large margin on a mile was Springer @ Indy–night race–must have been ’76 or ’77–but it was only half a lap, and I believe in those days they were doing 38-39’s for a one-lap average.
Great stuff as alwaze my man!
Stu
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Stu
I started looking through the record books and couldn’t find that large of a margin of victory in recent years. It would be cool to find out the last time someone won by that large of margin. I couldn’t believe it when Kopp lapped Chris Carr, then Jared Mees on the last lap. He was riding like he was trying to set a new world’s record. It was nice to be on hand to see it. It reminded me of acouple of years ago when Ricky Carmichael lapped the field at Millville.
Thanks
Larry
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Way to go Joe it is great to see you back in the winner’s spot again. Keep up the good work. Larry
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I know it wasn’t a 22 second margin, but I believe Ricky Graham win Springfield by a little bit more than a straightaway back in 1993. Also Kenny Coolbeth won Springfield a few years ago by about 5 seconds (with the “light” bike). Finally Scott Parker once dominated San Jose by more than a straightaway back in 1992 (I remember that from an old ESPN telecast) also he won Del Mar back in 1994 by a pretty big margin. Those are the most recent mile victories that were big winning margins, to which was paled in comparison by Kopp’s win at Grove City last Sunday.
Brent
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