Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

AMA Superbike point leader Nicky Hayden is one step closer to fulfilling his dream of accomplishing the “Grand Slam” of AMA motorcycle racing after winning an AMA National TT race win at Springfield, Illinois last Saturday, May 25. Hayden, who rode a modified Honda CRF450F, now only needs to win an AMA National Mile to complete the Grand Slam.

The AMA Grand Slam consists of Mile, Half Mile, Short Track, TT and Superbike wins.

Hayden, 20, has coveted the Grand Slam for years and raced in both the AMA National Superbike and Flat Track series over the last two years trying to achieve the goal.

Nicky Hayden’s brothers, Tommy and Roger, finished second and third in the Springfield TT, ahead of AMA Champion Chris Carr.

Carr came back to win the Springfield Mile on Sunday, May 26, while Nicky Hayden, riding a Honda RS750 loaned to him by Terry Poovey, finished fourth. Tommy and Roger Hayden did not race the Springfield Mile.

Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship Round Four Race Results:
1. Nicky Hayden, Honda
2. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha
3. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda
4. Chris Carr, Rotax
5. Dan Stanley, Honda
6. J.R. Schnabel, Honda
7. Shawn Clark, Honda
8. Kevin Varnes, CCM
9. John Hlebo, III, Honda
10. Steve Beattie, ATK
11. Ken Coolbeth, Jr., KTM
12. Joe Kopp, KTM
13. Shaun Russell, Honda
14. Trenton Bailey, Yamaha
15. Gary Rogers, Honda
16. Bryan Bigelow, Honda
17. Mike Hacker, Honda
18. Terry Poovey, Honda