KELLER TO RACE SOUTHWICK 250 NATIONAL-APRIL 26

Former 250 National star JoJo Keller will race the Southwick 250 National on June 9, 2002. Keller is the third old timer to announce his intentions to race the AMA Nationals. Keller wants to become the first ever rider to qualify for AMA Nationals in four different decades. JoJo has made Nationals in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. If JoJo could qualify for the Southwick National, he would have qualified in the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s.

The old timers have had their spirits lifted as of late, thanks to the success of 38-year-old Doug Dubach. Doug, who will also try to qualify for the Glen Helen 250 National, has consistently waxed younger riders. Three weeks ago Dubach won the World Four-Stroke Championship beating of field of riders younger than him. Plus, last year Doug raced a single 125 National and finished inside the top ten in both motos. Dubach?s success against the new generation of kids has emboldened Cooper, LaPorte and Keller.

Joining the geriatric JoJo are two other Over-40 riders. Guy Cooper, 40, plans to race the complete AMA National series, while Danny LaPorte, 45, intends to race the Unadilla round on July 21. LaPorte and Cooper do not have to qualify to make the 40-man field (since they are former AMA National Champions). JoJo Keller will have to ride the qualifiers at Southwick to make the race.