Game Date 09.02.2001

A Lucky Day at the Races

"Welcome to Laguna Seca race fans!" a man's voice boomed over the loudspeakers. "Today we have a special event! A 60-kilometer 17-lap AMA Superbike Race for Charity! The proceeds from today's event will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association!"

The crowd settled in and started cheering as the name of each of the riders was called out over the loudspeaker.

"The winner of the 2001 AMA Superbike Championship and starting from the pole position in today's race... MATHEW MLADIN!" The man on the bike waved at the crowd as he slowly pulled up to the start line and put on his helmet. The crowd cheered.

"Starting next to Mladin on the front row is 2001 AMA Superbike Championship first runner up... ERIC BOSTROM!" The next rider came out already wearing his helmet. He popped a wheelie and pulled up to the start line then waved at the crowd. The crowd cheered wildly. "Apparently Eric has decided to wear his alternate red, white and blue racing leathers today!" The crowd cheered again.

"Starting outside of Bostrom on the front row is 2001 AMA Superbike Championship second runner up... NICKY HAYDEN!" The third man rode out and waved to the crowd. He pulled up to the start line and put his helmet on. The crowd cheered loudly.

The entire field was introduced, one by one, thirty riders in all. The crowd cheered as each rider took his place on the starting grid.

The pace bike lead the group around the race course and to the starting line. The green flag was waved and the race was on. By the end of the first ten laps five of the contestants had wiped out.

"Now this is a race ladies and gentlemen! I can't remember the last time we've seen this many accidents in a race here at Laguna Seca. Oh wow! Their goes number 12 Michael Smith and number 21 Gregg Fryer both down coming out of corner two. Oh my god! John Dugan, number 32 didn't see them down! He's hit Michael Smith! That's gonna be a course wide yellow while the safety crews get to work!"

The remaining riders slowed to match pace with the pace bike. Finally the track was cleared and returned to a safe condition. The green flag was waved and the race was back on.

The next five laps were brutal. Several more riders retired from the race due to mechanical failures and another accident.

"The fact that any of the competitors are still in this race is a testament to their iron will and stamina ladies and gentlemen. They are racing for Jerry's kids and there has been a unanimous response from the racers as you've heard over the track radio that they will keep going as long as they can. But, I bet they're glad there is only a couple of more laps to go!"

The remaining dozen riders powered into the final laps like there was no tomorrow.

"Here we go ladies and gentleman! Heading into the last lap, Number 26 John Jacobi has the lead! But number 35 Rick Shaw is close behind him. Running neck and neck with Shaw in third is number 2 Eric Bostrom!"

"The lead three power into the final turn! Shifting down they power out of the turn, Shaw pushes Jacobi to the outside leaving the inside track to Bostrom! Dear Lord! Eric Bostrom seems to have hit the curb and gone airborne coming out of the corner! Oh no, his front tire appears to be damaged! I don't believe it! He's back on the ground on his back wheel?!? He's won?!? HE'S WON! ERIC BOSTROM HAS CROSSED THE FINISH LINE ON HIS BACK WHEEL TO WIN THE RACE!!!

Shaw and Jacobi cross the line for second and third!!!

But the story of the race is Eric Bostrom's win! He's dropped off the back of his bike and is sliding on the track! The rest of the riders are trying to avoid him! Oh no! Eric's helmet hits Alan Schmidt's bike in the rear wheel as Schmidt tries to avoid running over Bostrom!

Here comes Eric's pit crew and the safety crew to help him off the track. Wait a second ladies and gentlemen, that's Eric Bostrom wearing the lead mechanic's jumpsuit. So if that's Eric, who's been racing his bike?

Ladies and Gentlemen, I don't believe it! It's someone I never thought I'd see again, let alone racing! Long time superbike race fans should recognize this man! Ladies and gentlemen! We have the pleasure of seeing for the first time in 10 years on the track, Frank Flaherty!!! The World's Luckiest Man!!! And it seems that even death can't get a good hand on him!"

Shortly after the race in the winners circle.....

"Frank, Frank, Frank! What can I say? That is probably the most exciting race I have seen in years. To have that many accidents, and, as everyone and I here thought, to have Eric win the race in that spectacular a fashion, and then to have it turn out to be you that was racing the bike the whole race! As far as we and the rest of the world knew you were dead Frank. What do you have to say?"

Frank looked around at the gathered crowd and then back to the announcer. With an impish grin on his face, Frank calmly said, "Just plain lucky I guess."

The crowd roared with laughter and cheered. Frank was showered with champagne, beers, sodas, water and a few other beverages before being carried off to the after race celebration.