Fred Merkel’s Amazing Pocono Come-from-Behind Victory (1982)

• Larry Lawrence
“Flyin’ Fred” Merkel being interviewed after winning one of the most impressive AMA Formula Two (aka AMA 250 Grand Prix) races in the history of the series. Sharing the podium at Pocono ’82 with Fred are fellow riders Hugh Humble and Alan Labrosse (looking down) as well as the Arai trophy girl. Fred had bike issues in qualifying, so he had to start from the very back of the field. Fred was all the way up to sixth by lap four. At the halfway point pole winner Craig Morris held a two second lead over Humble, David Emde and Labrosse. Merkel was closing in on that trio battling over second. In the second half of the race Morris crashed. Merkel took over the lead on lap 13 and then opened a gap. After all that work Fred nearly lost the race when he slowed on the final lap, thinking his lead was large enough, and Hugh nearly caught him. Labrosse was in close contention for the win too, until his tires went off in the closing laps and he backed it down to preserve his podium finish. (Rich Chenet photo) 
#fredmerkel #hughhumble #alanlabrosse #amaformula2 #ama250gp #poconoraceway #motoamerica 

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