By Andy Bowyer, photos by Stephani McIntyre
Doug Gust raced fast and consistent to earn the overall Pro ATV victory Sunday at Pleasure Valley Raceway. The event, the American Suzuki Summer National, was Round 9 of the ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA ATVA Pro Motocross Championship.
Gust (No. 55 Team MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) took the victory, his second this season, ahead of Josh Creamer (No. 9 Monster Energy Kawasaki). Series points leader Dustin Wimmer (No. Team MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper) finished third, maintaining his healthy points advantage.
“When it started raining, I started smiling,” said the affable Gust. “Dustin was riding really well and when he got around me I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to get him back. But, when it started raining, that changed!
“These wins feel better than any I’ve had in my career because of how tight the competition is,” added Gust. “Look at the lap sheets. We are all within a second or so of each other, so to be able to win against a field like we have feels incredible.”
While Suzuki riders won the event, it was a great day for factory Kawasaki. Josh Creamer took the holeshot and the win in the first moto, while his teammate Keith Little (No. 12 Monster Energy Kawasaki) rode well all day to finish fifth overall.
“I wanted the win today very badly,” said Creamer. “I didn’t get a very good holeshot in the second moto, but I charged as hard as I could to get to the front pack. Right when I reached fourth, it started raining and I had to take off my goggles. It was a good day though, and we’ll win soon.”
Creamer grabbed the Suspension Systems Holeshot Award in the first moto and led the pack to the green flag. Also gating well were Gust and Wimmer, with John Natalie Jr. (No. 13 Cam-Am) and Greg Gee (No. 10 Team Epic Racing/Can-Am) rounding out the top five at the conclusion of the first lap. Creamer set a lightning quick pace and pulled out to a two-second lead by the halfway point.
Meanwhile, Gust pulled clear of Wimmer, who appeared to be riding cautiously in the slick conditions. Natalie could smell blood and laid down a couple of the fastest laps of the moto to draw close to Wimmer’s rear wheels. From there, things went downhill for the hometown hero, as Natalie suffered a flat tire, and, later, engine problems. Up front, Gust mounted a charge but Creamer held on for the opening moto victory. Wimmer rode home third with Little and Gee rounding out the top five.
The moto was a big heartbreak for Chad Wienen (No. 44 Rockstar/MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) who had qualified a close second. Wienen’s Suzuki suffered an electrical problem on the starting line and was unable to start the race.
Gust earned the ATVRiders.com Holeshot Award in the second moto. Hot on his heels was teammate Wimmer, who dogged the veteran relentlessly. Creamer had a poor start but was charging through the pack quickly. Business picked up around the halfway point of the moto as Wimmer made his move on Gust and took over the lead. Almost simultaneously, the heavens opened and heavy rain began to pound the track.
Wimmer would only lead one lap before sliding out on a tricky jump. Once in the lead, Gust never faltered, taking the checkered flag about five seconds ahead of Jeremy Lawson (No. 16 Team Epic Can-Am) and earned the overall victory. Creamer finished the moto third, which was good enough for second overall.
Team Suzuki continues to hold the lead in the Manufacturers’ Cup standings.
Special award winners were:
Ti Lube Fast Qualifier Award: Dustin Wimmer
Suspension Systems Holeshot Award–Moto 1: Josh Creamer
ATVRiders.com Holeshot Award–Moto 2: Doug Gust
DASA Mechanic of the Race: Brandon Lamey
The next race for the ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA/ATVA National Motocross Championship is scheduled for July 26-27 at Redbud Raceway in Buchanan, Mich.
Pro Results
1. Doug Gust, 55, Suzuki, Salem, Wis., 2-1.
2. Josh Creamer, 9, Kawasaki, North Stonington, Conn., 1-3.
3. Dustin Wimmer, 191, Suzuki, Center Valley, Pa., 3-4.
4. Jeremy Lawson, 16, Can-Am, Battletown, Ky., 6-2.
5. Keith Little, 12, Kawasaki, Spruce Pine, Al., 4-6.
6. Greg Gee, 10, Can-Am, Simcoe, ON., 5-9.
7. Joe Byrd, 7, Honda, Union City, Tenn., 8-8.
8. Russell Schumaker, 68, Kawasaki, Bristol, Wis., 7-11.
9. Sage M. Baker, 9, Can-Am, Shasta Lake, Calif., 12-7.
10. Rocco Arno, Jr., 101, Honda, Bridgeton, N.J., 14-10.
11. Josh Upperman, 20, Honda, Louisville, Ohio., 11-13.
12. Chad Wienen, 44, Suzuki, Galena, Ill., 20-5.
13. Cody Miller, 22, Can-Am, Greenville, Texas., 10-17.
14. John Natalie Jr., 13, Can-Am, Houtzdale, Pa., 16-12.
15. Cale Downen, 727, Honda, Juction, Ill, 13-15.
16. Harold Goodman, 708, Honda, Romulus, Mich., 9-20.
17. Jason Dunkleberger, 19, Honda, Treverton, Pa., 19-14.
18. Patrick Brown, 199, Yamaha, Pittstown, N.J., 15-18.
19. John Ragon, 98, Honda, Milan, Tenn., 18-16.
20. Hunter Miller, 90, Honda, Greenville, Texas., 17-19.
