Henry Wiles (1) leads the pack heading into the first turn at the start of Saturday’s Springfield Short Track. Wiles won both the race and the Grand National Singles title at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Multi-Purpose Arena. (Larry Lawrence photo)

For about a lap the Springfield Short Track was in question. Chad Cose actually passed Henry Wiles and led starting the second lap of the 25-lap final. But then Wiles put his Monster Energy Kawasaki/Jones Racing KX450F back into the lead and proceeded to do what Wiles does in Grand National Singles races and that’s pull away to yet another dominating victory.

For Wiles the Springfield Short Track final was a freebie. He’d locked up the Singles Championship with his victory in the points-paying Dash for Cash. He was presented the GNC Singles No. 1 plate from former champ and series director Mike Kidd on the podium after the Dash. With the title decided Wiles could simply go out and race the final with nothing on the line. “Hammerin’ Hank” is tough enough when he’s racing with something on the line. Put the Winn, Michigan rider on the starting grid with no pressure and it’s simply bye-bye to the rest of the 19-rider field.

Wiles pulled away to a 5.279 second victory over Zanotti Racing’s Jake Johnson. It was a big night for J.D. Beach. Red Bull/Top 1 Oil/Rockwall Performance not only qualified for the national in his Grand National debut, he rode a brilliant race and scored third to debut on the podium, a rare accomplishment in AMA Grand National racing.

“I was in a great position tonight,” Wiles said. “After clinching the championship in the Dash it was a relief and I knew I could just go out and concentrate on racing. I’ve had a good run at this track and hopefully I can keep it going. It feels good being able to defend this championship.”

Wiles won four of the six rounds of the AMA Pro Grand National Singles Championship to beat Joe Kopp by 30 points in the final standings. Jared Mees finished third. It marked the second straight GNC Singles title for Wiles.

While Wiles had things handled in the Singles Series, the overall Grand National point standings tightened up going into Sunday’s Springfield Mile. Joe Kopp, who finished fourth on the Short Track, continues to hold the overall series lead, but Jake Johnson chipped away three points on Kopp’s lead and the top two riders are separated by just 11 points (240-229). Sammy Halbert and Wiles (with 217 and 216 points respectively) still have an outside shot at the overall Grand National Championship with four rounds remaining.

Springfield (Ill.) Short Track Results, Sept. 4, 2010, Multi-Purpose Arena
1. Henry Wiles, Kawasaki, 25 Laps
2. Jake Johnson, Honda, 5.279
3. J. D. Beach, Honda, 6.938
4. Joe Kopp, Honda, 8.844
5. Chris Carr, Honda, 9.21
6. Steven Bonsey, Honda, 9.929
7. Kenny Coolbeth Jr., Honda, 10.237
8. Bryan Smith, Kawasaki, 10.91
9. Jared Mees, Honda, 11.413
10. Matt Weidman, Honda, 11.757
11. Sammy Halbert, Yamaha, 12.593
12. Scott Baker, Honda, 13.652
13. Brandon Robinson, Honda, 14.749
14. Jethro Halbert, Yamaha, 14.966
15. John Wood, Honda, 18.781
16. Robert Pearson, Yamaha, 24 Laps
17. Donald Mullen II, Honda, 0.351
18. Michael Kirkness, Suzuki, 2.409
19. Chad Cose, Honda, 22 Laps

AMA Pro K&N GNC presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com Rider Standings
(After 13 of 17 rounds)
1. Joe Kopp, 240.
2. Jake Johnson, 229.
3. Sammy Halbert, 217.
4. Henry Wiles, 216.
5. Jared Mees, 208.
6. Kenny Coolbeth Jr., 191.
7. Chris Carr, 149.
8. Bryan Smith, 138.
9. Matt Weidman, 91.
10. Robert Pearson, 84.