This week in US powersports racing.
DANTE OLIVEIRA AND JOHNNY GIRROIR HEADLINE FMF KTM FACTORY RACING 1-2 AT CAMP COKER GNCC
FMF KTM Factory Racing teammates Dante Oliveira and Johnny Girroir delivered a commanding 1-2 result at Round 4 of the 2024 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series, with FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers also dominant across the weekend in GNCC, and Trystan Hart landing on the AMA U.S. Hard Enduro Series podium at Round 2.
GRAND NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP (GNCC) – ROUND 4
The opening three rounds of the GNCC season have been won by FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Johnny Girroir in the XC1 Open Pro Class, but this time out in the high-speed sands of Camp Coker, it was Dante Oliveira who stood on top of the podium in a breakout performance.
Oliveira – who is filling in for injured team regular Ben Kelley at select rounds of GNCC this year – quickly established himself at the front of the pack on his KTM 350 XC-F and was able to hold on for the victory, directly ahead of Girroir as he managed to extend his advantage atop the standings.
Dante Oliveira: “Everybody had been saying Coker was my round and it was today! I felt great off the start, took over the lead in the second turn and rode smart, charged where I could, managed where I had to, and it ended up working out. Johnny got around me at the hour mark and then he ended up tucking it in one of the sand berms, so I snuck back around him and regrouped. He kept me honest the whole race and I did what I could to stay out front, so we’re really happy and excited to get this one in GNCC.”
Johnny Girroir: “It was a good race. I got off to a good start and was following Dante the first lap – he was ripping and had me in the open stuff. I felt like I had more in the tight stuff, but there’s no passing out there. We were wheel-to-wheel the whole race and that’s what racing’s all about! I feel good, we’ve had four solid rounds, so let’s keep the ball rolling from here.”
FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers also starred at Camp Coker, with Gus Riordan taking full advantage of a late mishap from teammate Grant Davis to win his second race of the year, the pair delivering a 1-2 result equipped with the KTM 250 XC-F in the XC2 250 Pro Class. As a result, Riordan has reclaimed the series lead, two points clear of Davis.
Angus Riordan: “I got the holeshot and led the first four laps, then Grant got around me, but I put my head down, sort of caught him in the end there and I could see it looked like he started to make a few mistakes… He went down and I got him, so stoked! You don’t give up in these races.”
Grant Davis: “It was a fun race, for sure. I had a terrible start and saw Gus was in the front checking out, so knew I had to go before he got too far ahead. I started passing everybody and we got together after that and it was a fun battle all the way for the rest of the day. I had the lead, but got my front-end taken out by an XC1 rider toward the finish, so I crashed and lost the win, but congrats to Gus and the team.”
The dominant results of FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers extended to the WXC division, where Brandy Richards took her second GNCC win riding the KTM 250 XC-F, becoming the first two-time winner of the year and moving to within a single point of the championship lead following four rounds.
Brandy Richards: “It was a good race for me. Started off kind of terrible, but made my way through the pack. I had a little tip-over, but knew that the second half was a little more open and I was able to get through to the front. From there on I just tried to push, get a good gap, and make it to the finish, so I just brought it home.”
XC1 Open Pro Class Results
1. Dante Oliveira, KTM
2. Johnny Girroir, KTM
3. Grant Baylor, KAW
XC2 250 Pro Class Results
1. Angus Riordan, KTM
2. Grant Davis, KTM
3. Thad Duvall, KAW
WXC Class Results
1. Brandy Richards, KTM
2. Rachael Archer, KAW
3. Rachel Gutish, SHR
U.S. HARD ENDURO SERIES – ROUND 2
Round 2 of the U.S. Hard Enduro Series arrived at the Grinding Stone event in Page, Arizona, with FMF KTM Factory Racing’s defending champion Trystan Hart motivated to take his first win of the 2024 season after finishing runner-up at the opener in January on his KTM 300 XC-W.
Hart won Saturday’s opening race of the weekend and then repeated again on Sunday morning in Race 2, however, a dramatic final encounter saw him lead the early stages until a crash ultimately caused some damage in the technical, rocky, sand-based terrain. Still, he was able to continue on and salvage P2 in a gritty performance for his title prospects.
Trystan Hart: “In the final race I was able to rip the holeshot, but made a pretty big mistake, so lost a minute there and went back to third. I caught back up, got in the lead, and had a two-minute advantage before I made a critical mistake – a pretty big crash – and the bike landed on top of me. I bent my bars and triple-clamps, so just salvaged what I could from there – I wasn’t even sure if I was going to get second. Back-to-back seconds to start the year, but we will keep pushing and onto the next one!”
Pro Class Results
1. Cody Webb, SHR
2. Trystan Hart, KTM
3. Ryder LeBlond, HQV
Upcoming Offroad Races – April 2024
4/1: U.S. Sprint Enduro Series – Round 3
4/8: National Grand Prix Championship – Round 4
4/8: National Enduro Series – Round 2
4/15: Grand National Cross Country Series – Round 5
4/15: West Hare Scrambles Series – Round 2
4/22: U.S. Sprint Enduro Series – Round 4
4/29: Grand National Cross Country Series – Round 6
4/29: National Grand Prix Championship – Round 5
4/29: U.S. Hard Enduro Series – Round 3
RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING’S CHASE SEXTON P2 IN SEATTLE 450SX THRILLER
SEATTLE, Wash. – A hard-fought second-place result was earned by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton in Seattle’s 11th round of the 2024 AMA Supercross Championship, the defending champion taking the 450SX Main Event down to the wire as the checkered flag flew tonight.
Sexton was fast from the outset in technical conditions on his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION at Lumen Field, fourth fastest in qualifying and then claiming P3 in Heat 1 after leading his share of laps. From there he also led a large portion of the Main Event, fighting all the way to the finish and coming up short of victory by only 0.592s.
Chase Sexton: “Overall, minus a few mistakes, I rode a really good race and came back towards the end – I had really good speed tonight in these gnarly conditions. This weekend definitely showed signs of improvement. These last two weekends I’ve built back some of that confidence I’ve needed, we made some bike changes before the Heat race and it was a direction I’ve been chasing for a while. I’m thankful for the team I have behind me and we’ll keep grinding. We’re climbing that ladder.”
Premier class teammate Aaron Plessinger was once again competitive in the soft, rutty conditions, qualifying in eighth position and then claiming second place in Heat 2 following a fast start. He carried that momentum into the Main Event, climbing from 10th position at the end of the opening lap to P4 in the end, only narrowly outside of a podium result.
Aaron Plessinger: “Seattle was the best race I’ve had in a month and probably one of the better races I’ve had this year. In my mind, I should have gotten on the podium. My start was decent and I went backward in the first couple of laps, but started riding well around lap three or four. I got within a second of Jett [Lawrence] at the end, but couldn’t quite seal the deal for third. It was good, I needed that result to get back into the flow, and everything’s positive, so I’m looking forward to St. Louis and another Triple Crown!”
Seattle saw the 250SX West region return to action following an extended break, where Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Julien Beaumer continued his rookie season onboard the KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION. He was a convincing third in his Heat, and then factored at the front of the pack early in the Main Event, before eventually finishing in seventh position.
Julien Beaumer: “It was a good day here in Seattle. The morning started out a little rough, just didn’t feel like myself, and then I managed to turn it around for the night show. I felt better each time out and then really figured the track out for the Main. I’m not satisfied yet though, I definitely have more in the tank, so we’ll get back to work this week and come out swinging in St. Louis.”
Next Race: March 30 – St. Louis, Missouri
Results 450SX Class – Seattle
1. Cooper Webb (USA), Yamaha
2. Chase Sexton (USA), KTM
3. Jett Lawrence (AUS), Honda
4. Aaron Plessinger (USA), KTM
9. Justin Barcia (USA), GASGAS
11. Malcolm Stewart (USA), Husqvarna
Standings 450SX Class 2024 after 11 of 17 rounds
1. Jett Lawrence, 230 points
2. Cooper Webb, 214
3. Chase Sexton, 207
6. Aaron Plessinger, 162
9. Justin Barcia, 122
10. Malcolm Stewart, 115
Results 250SX West Class – Seattle
1. Levi Kitchen (USA), Kawasaki
2. RJ Hampshire (USA), Husqvarna
3. Jo Shimoda (JPN), Honda
7. Julien Beaumer (USA), KTM
13. Ryder DiFrancesco (USA), GASGAS
Standings 250SX West Class 2024 after 6 of 10 rounds
1. Levi Kitchen, 131 points
2. RJ Hampshire, 123
3. Jordon Smith, 110
7. Julien Beaumer, 78
14. Ryder DiFrancesco, 51
JUSTIN BARCIA BATTLES TO TOP 10 FINISH IN TECHNICAL SEATTLE SUPERCROSS
Seattle produced some of the toughest conditions of the year in the AMA Supercross Championship at Lumen Field, but for Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia it was another opportunity to keep making progress in 450SX, and that’s what he did on his way to ninth position in the Main Event at Round 11 of the season.
- Bam Bam battles hard on his way to third-straight top 10
- Fourth in Heat race displays the promise of Barcia and MC 450F Factory Edition
- 250SX West resumes with Ryder D racing to 13th after a late mistake
Off the back of finishing ninth in Birmingham and eighth in Indianapolis, Barcia has been regaining form in recent weeks and that continued by qualifying P8 and then finishing fourth in Heat 1 on his GASGAS MC 450F Factory Edition. He ran as high as fifth in the 450SX Main Event, only to go down in the second half of the race and he wasn’t able to recover from there on his way to P9.
Justin Barcia: “I had a good practice today and the track was tough all day. In the Heat race, I got off to a bad start, but charged through the pack really well and was P4, so I was happy with that and I felt really good going into the Main Event. It was a good start in the Main, I was riding well and was battling with the guys even though I rode a little bit tight in the beginning. I loosened up in the middle, but unfortunately had a crash and didn’t ride to my ability after that. We’re getting there, getting better every weekend and our time will come, but until then we’ll keep working and get after it!”
The 250SX West season resumed with round six of that series, as Ryder DiFrancesco looked to make an impact on his GASGAS MC 250F Factory Edition. He was 12th in practice after being greeted by muddy conditions, but rode to fourth in his Heat race.
A late crash in the Main Event dropped him outside of the top 10 to 13th place as he took the checkered flag, but it’s clear that our Supercross newcomer will be able to build upon that result in the coming weeks as experience builds.
Ryder DiFrancesco: “It was a decent night and I feel like I rode better than what the results obviously show. The track was tough, but it was a good day and I was able to improve with stuff that I worked on during the break. Unfortunately, I went down on the last lap and lost around five positions, but St. Louis should be good and I’m excited to head into the Triple Crown round there.”
Results – 2024 AMA Supercross Championship, Round 11
450SX Results – Seattle SX
1. Cooper Webb (Yamaha)
2. Chase Sexton (KTM)
3. Jett Lawrence (Honda)
4. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)
9. Justin Barcia (GASGAS)
11. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna)
450SX Championship Standings (After Round 11)
1. Jett Lawrence (Honda) 230pts
2. Cooper Webb (Yamaha) 214pts
3. Chase Sexton (KTM) 207pts
6. Aaron Plessinger (KTM) 162pts
9. Justin Barcia (GASGAS) 122pts
10. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna) 115pts
250SX West Results – Seattle SX
1. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki)
2. RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna)
3. Jo Shimoda (Honda)
7. Julien Beaumer (KTM)
13. Ryder DiFrancesco (GASGAS)
250SX West Championship Standings (After Round 6)
1. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki) 131pts
2. RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna) 123pts
3. Jordon Smith (Yamaha) 110pts
7. Julien Beaumer (KTM) 78pts
14. Ryder DiFrancesco (GASGAS) 51pts
RUNNER-UP PODIUM RESULT FOR RJ HAMPSHIRE AS 250SX WEST SERIES RETURNS IN SEATTLE
A solid second-place finish signaled a convincing return to action for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire as the 250SX West division resumed in Seattle, marking Round 11 of the 2024 AMA Supercross Championship.
In what was the sixth race of the western regional series, Hampshire rode his Husqvarna Motorcycles FC 250 Rockstar Edition to P6 in qualifying and built momentum from there. He improved to second in his Heat and then repeated that result in the Main Event despite a difficult start, continuing to challenge for the title in its middle stages and only sitting eight points outside of the red plate.
“I was second in the Heat race and then I settled down for the Main Event, but I’m not sure what happened off the start – I must have spun or something and those first couple of laps were hectic,” recalled Hampshire. “I made some good passes, but this track was brutal tonight, and we’re happy to be on the podium in the end. We said we wanted to be solid tonight and that’s all we had, so we will take second and look forward to St. Louis.”
Tonight was also a promising one for Malcolm Stewart at Lumen Field in the 450SX category, taking an encouraging fourth-place result in Heat 2 equipped with his Husqvarna Motorcycles FC 450 Rockstar Edition. After featuring inside the top 10 early on, Stewart eventually claimed 11th position and is determined to keep gaining form in the final stages of the season.
“Seattle was definitely muddy in practice, but the track actually turned out okay for the night show,” Stewart commented. “I was P4 in the Heat, which was okay, and then in the Main Event we were running okay again to begin with, but I got a little tight and the track started going away. When you start riding the track like that you start making a lot of mistakes, so we ended up 11th and that’s not the result we were looking for, but we’ll live to fight another day.”
Next Event (Round 12): March 30, 2024 – The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri
450SX – Seattle Results
1. Cooper Webb (Yamaha)
2. Chase Sexton (KTM)
3. Jett Lawrence (Honda)
4. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)
9. Justin Barcia (GASGAS)
11. Malcolm Stewart – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
450SX Rider Point Standings after Round 11
1. Jett Lawrence (Honda) – 230 points
2. Cooper Webb (Yamaha) – 214 points
3. Chase Sexton (KTM) – 207 points
6. Aaron Plessinger (KTM) – 162 points
9. Justin Barcia (GASGAS) – 122 points
11. Malcolm Stewart – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 115 points
250SX West – Seattle Results
1. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki)
2. RJ Hampshire – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
3. Jo Shimoda (Honda)
7. Julien Beaumer (KTM)
13. Ryder DiFrancesco (GASGAS)
250SX West Rider Point Standings
1. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki) – 131 points
2. RJ Hampshire – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing – 123 points
3. Jordon Smith (Yamaha) – 110 points
7. Julien Beaumer (KTM) – 78 points
14. Ryder DiFrancesco (GASGAS) – 51 points
ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA TEAM LANDS MULTIPLE PODIUMS IN PACKED OFFROAD WEEKEND
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing riders featured on the Pro Class podiums across the AMA National Hare & Hound Championship and U.S. Hard Enduro Series this weekend, while the Camp Coker Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series race ended up being a more challenging day out.
National Hare & Hound Championship – Round 2
The second round of the AMA National Hare & Hound Championship was a convincing one for Austin Walton, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider in contention for the victory and eventually claiming a hard-fought runner-up result riding his Husqvarna Motorcycles FX 450.
“We were battling for the lead throughout the race and it was such a fast pace,” Walton reflected. “It was a challenging one and then in the last few miles, I ended up tipping over, lost some time, and then charged back to second coming into the finish line. We ended up P2, one position up from last time out, and we’re making improvements. This was a grueling race, but super-fun and it was a good race.”
While Walton featured on the podium in Murphy, Idaho, defending series number one and three-time champion Dalton Shirey stopped to assist a fallen rider in the opening stages of the race, before clawing his way back to a fifth-place result and an important haul of points.
“There was a really big crash at the start of the race, which I stopped for, and I just wasn’t riding at 100 percent after that,” said Shirey. “They gave me a minute back, which didn’t change the result, so fifth was a good finish. I knew this would be one of the more difficult races for me, but the result was okay in the end.”
Pro Class Results
1. Joseph Wasson (Beta)
2. Austin Walton – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
3. Zane Roberts (Beta)
…
5. Dalton Shirey – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
U.S. Hard Enduro Series – Round 2
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder LeBlond managed a third-place podium result in Round 2 of the AMA U.S. Hard Enduro Championship, successfully navigating the Grinding Stone course in Page, Arizona. After gaining momentum as the weekend progressed, he saved his best for last on the Husqvarna Motorcycles TE 300.
“The main race went better than the qualifiers,” LeBlond said. “I knew I could pull it together for the final, do what I had to do in the battle, and that’s what we did. It was good, I was close to the leaders the whole time and it was a huge improvement on last year.”
Teammate Colton Haaker also repeated his Pro Class result from the opening race of the season, finishing sixth overall at the Grinding Stone, and carrying confidence into upcoming rounds. He demonstrated his usual front-running potential and will focus on the positives after the weekend.
“I came in with high expectations and have been riding really well lately,” commented Haaker. “The sand was more than I anticipated, so I made some adjustments for that, but probably could have gone back on those before the last race. Sixth was really good, had a couple of good and bad moments, so overall we put in a lot of effort, and am always taking the positives for what it is. My spirits are high, let’s get it!”
Pro Class Results
1. Cody Webb (Sherco)
2. Trystan Hart (KTM)
3. Ryder LeBlond – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
…
6. Colton Haaker – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
Grand National Cross Country Series – Round 4
Round 4 of the GNCC Series was another challenge for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, as defending XC1 Open Pro Champion Craig DeLong wasn’t at 100 percent fitness on his way to ninth position, while teammate Trevor Bollinger was forced out altogether with an illness of his own.
“Started the day strong with a good jump off the line, but I struggled to stay out front with stomach issues and a case of arm-pump,” DeLong reflected. “No excuses though and I’m ready for another shot at redemption.”
“I woke up today a bit under the weather, was running around mid-pack for four laps, but just didn’t have the energy to keep going safely,” explained Bollinger. “We will recover and try again.”
Unfortunately for WXC entry Korie Steede, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider’s FX 250 ran out of gas on the final lap of the race and she was credited ninth position. As a result, she sits third in the championship, only 15 points from the lead despite her misfortune at Camp Coker.
“Had a solid start to the day, grabbing another holeshot,” said Steede. “Had good momentum all day battling for the win. Last lap was sitting in a solid P2 and unfortunately ran out of gas. but I’m happy to be healthy and we will be ready for the next one.”
XC1 Open Pro Class Results
1. Dante Oliveira (KTM)
2. Johnny Girroir (KTM)
3. Grant Baylor (Kawasaki)
…
9. Craig DeLong – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
15. Trevor Bollinger – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
WXC Class Results
1. Brandy Richards (KTM)
2. Rachael Archer (Kawasaki)
3. Rachel Gutish, Sherco
…
9. Korie Steede – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
Mees Responds with Statement Ride at Yamaha Senoia Short Track
Reigning Mission SuperTwins champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750) turned to his successful ‘23 script, once again rebounding from a quiet season opener with a statement performance in the Yamaha Senoia Short Track at Senoia Raceway in Senoia, Georgia, Round 3 of the 2024 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.
That said, Sunday’s ride didn’t exactly get underway as he’d originally envisioned. The factory Indian star was involved in a minor pre-race dispute and was forced to line up on the far outside of Row 1 after believing he could select the slot at the bottom. Even if it went against his wishes, the swap either gifted him the ideal position or the motivation required to make it work, as Mees promptly blasted into the lead once the race got underway.
Even with the benefit of that prime launch, Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) was quickly looking for a way by and slid underneath to steal away first less than a minute into the Main Event. But Mees had an answer, reclaiming the position a short two laps later and then went about steadily working his way to what proved to be a 1.591-second margin of victory.
Afterward Mees said, “I fast qualified earlier in the day, but I didn’t really feel good. I was making some decent laps but also making a lot of mistakes. In the (Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge), Dallas ate my lunch – I was really worried about him; he and his team were rolling really good. He was really consistent and could get the bike turned, and that’s where I was struggling all day. We made some changes and went a direction we’ve never gone before with some things. And the motorcycle was phenomenal. It turned great and rolled good. Everything I needed it to do all day, it finally came to me.”
The fight for third was a hard-fought three-way affair for much of the race, led for a long spell by Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) with Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) and Briar Bauman (No. 3 Rick Ware Racing/KTM/Parts Plus KTM 790 Duke) jammed up close behind.
Lewis did well to keep Robinson and Bauman corralled behind him for the majority of the contest, but their superior pace ultimately won out – at least once Bauman showed they could tap into the high line to find a path through.
Free of the Royal Enfield runner, Robinson then managed to keep two-time champion Bauman at bay by just over a tenth-of-a-second at the flag. Lewis, meanwhile, found himself also overtaken by a charging Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Ohio Indian FTR750), who secured the final spot in the top five after circulating as low as ninth in the early going.
The remainder of the top ten consisted of a pair of premier-class veterans – Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Corbin/OTBR Yamaha MT-07) and Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750) – and class rookies – Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Mission Foods/Zanotti Racing KTM 790 Duke) and Max Whale (No. 18 Latus Motors Racing/Liqui Moly Harley-Davidson XG750R).
Mees’ triumph elevated him from sixth to third in the points (54), but he continues to trail Daniels (64) and Robinson (61), the duo having upped their respective ‘24 podium streaks to a perfect three for three.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Reigning two-time Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER king Kody Kopp (No. 1 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F) continued to build his case as the most accomplished rider in class history, earning a record-tying sixth career Short Track win on Sunday afternoon.
While in the end, the victory proved a lonely one, that order first had to be forged in chaos.
Former class champion Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Racing/Certified KTM 450 SX-F) grabbed the holeshot with title fighters Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), Chase Saathoff (No. 88 JPG Motorsports Honda CRF450R), and Kopp running alongside while sorting out second in shadow.
In one fell swoop, that fight for second became one for the lead as Drane and Saathoff both went under Gauthier at the same moment Kopp ringed around the outside, all despite no obvious mistake on Gauthier’s part.
Kopp continued to work the high line, using it to both overhaul Drane and make his escape in relatively short order.
At that point, the top three broke apart, while Gauthier lost one final position to Aiden RoosEvans (No. 26 FRA Trust/ATV’s and More Yamaha YZ450F), who ran just removed from the lead pack for the entirety of the race.
“I’m happy to be up here and be able to spin laps like that,” Kopp said. “Hats off to Tom, Chase, and Dalton – those first few laps were chaos. I got a terrible start and tried to roll ‘em around the outside. Huge shout out to my Rick Ware Racing team and everybody that’s behind me. We’re ready to get on a roll now.”
2023 Senoia Short Track podium finisher James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) took sixth, followed by Hunter Bauer (No. 24 Vinson Construction/American Harley-Davidson, Yamaha YZ450F), Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), and Travis Petton IV (No. 82 ECG Racing/A.M Ortega KTM 450 SX-F).
The final spot in the top ten was earned by Bradon Pfanders (No. 288 Pfanders Racing/Scott Powersports KTM 450 SX-F), who made an extremely impressive Progressive AFT debut immediately after becoming eligible by turning 16.
Kopp already boasts an early 17-point advantage over Gauthier (71-54) with Drane (51) and Saathoff (50) placed third and fourth and desperate to prevent the double defending champ from executing another championship runaway.
Next Up:
The Progressive American Flat Track tour will compete on a Half-Mile for the first time this season with the Mission Texas Half-Mile presented by Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda and Roof Systems of Dallas at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday, April 27. Please visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/texas-half-mile-86387 to secure your tickets today.
For those who can’t catch the action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of on-track action starting with Practice & Qualifying and ending with the Victory Podium at the end of the night at http://flosports.link/aft.
FOX Sports coverage of the Yamaha Senoia Short Track, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, March 31, at 12:30 p.m. ET (9:30 a.m. PT).
For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.
FXR Racing Set for Another Year as Title Sponsor of Minnesota’s Legendary Spring Creek National
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc., in conjunction with Spring Creek MX Park, has announced the return of versatile Canadian gear company FXR Racing as title sponsor of the 41st running the FXR Spring Creek National Presented by Frescados Tortillas on July 13 in Millville, Minnesota. The legendary event has been a summer tradition in the Land of 10,000 Lakes since 1983 and will serve as the seventh round of the 2024 Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, and Round 24 of the SuperMotocross World Championship Series.
“We enjoyed one of our most successful Nationals ever last summer and could not have commemorated our new partnership with FXR Racing any better,” said former Pro Motocross race winner Alex Martin, who now oversees the Spring Creek National alongside his parents, John and Greta Martin. “It’s a privilege to have them back for another season in title support of what we expect to be another incredible event. We also can’t forget to acknowledge Frescados Tortillas, which continues to be an invaluable longtime partner of our National.”
Each summer, the few hundred residents of the rural Minnesota city of Millville welcome tens of thousands of passionate fans and hundreds of amateur racers for the action-packed festivities surrounding the Spring Creek National. The scenic racetrack sits nestled between two towering hillsides, which provides the setting for arguably the most dynamic layout in American motocross featuring the longest start in the championship, constant, dramatic elevation changes, various types of dirt, and a multitude of technical obstacles, like the infamous sand whoops and Mount Martin. Thanks to this buffet of elements, the racing is always incredible at Spring Creek.
This year’s Spring Creek National will see Team Honda HRC mounted champion Jett Lawrence look to defend his 450 Class victory as part of his title defense, while the 250 Class could see a new Spring Creek winner following the move of last year’s victor, Hunter Lawrence, into the premier division. Only one current rider in the smaller displacement has enjoyed the spoils of victory at Spring Creek, Millville’s own Jeremy Martin, and the Muc-Off/FXR/ClubMX Yamaha rider will certainly look to capitalize on the home field advantage as he targets his first Pro Motocross win since the 2021 season.
FXR Racing was established in Manitoba in 1996 when founder Milt Reimer seized an opportunity to fill a void in high performance snow rider wear. The brand quickly became a leading manufacturer of snowmobile gear and over the past 28 years has continued to diversify its product offerings and expand into other categories, notably motocross where it has enjoyed an impressive ascension in notoriety. The independently owned company has become an increasingly popular choice amongst riders on the starting gate and is the official teamwear of Muc-Off/FXR/ClubMX Yamaha and its lineup featuring Martin and fellow 250 Class riders Mark Fineis, Jett Reynolds, and Coty Schock, as well as the 450 Class duo of Garrett Marchbanks and Phil Nicoletti.
The 2024 Pro Motocross Championship is the centerpiece of the SuperMotocross World Championship, with an 11-round summer schedule that will visit 10 different states from late May through the end of August. The season will kick off on Memorial Day Weekend in Southern California with the Fox Raceway National on Saturday, May 25, from Fox Raceway at Pala.
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