Loretta Lynn’s MX, Hurricane Mills, TN 2009

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Updated: August 17, 2009

By Rachel Fluharty photos by Stephani McIntyre

Although Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Josh Creamer took a decided 1-2 victory at the Dirt Days National at the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Defending Series Champion, Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Dustin Wimmer took home his second series championship, despite a fourth place overall finish in the final round of the series. Honda’s Joe Byrd took home second and Warnert Can-Am’s John Natalie took third on the podium.

Wimmer overcame a mid-season shoulder injury that would have knocked most riders out of the series altogether. “It feels great,” Wimmer said. “It was a really hard year for the team with me getting injured the fourth race in. I had to work hard and come back strong from the injury. I had a six moto win streak going up to this race. I really got back on top of things.

“At first, I didn’t think I could come back,” Wimmer continued. “After I raced the first race back I was like ‘this is pretty impossible if I race like this again’ but then I got some recovery time. All three of us (contenders Chad Wienen and Joe Byrd) could have won it this year. We all had our share of bad luck but we came out on top.”

Photo By: Stephani McIntyre
Creamer also took home the $250
MotorcycleUSA.com holeshot award.

Chad Wienen started the day off right with the ATVSource.com Fastest Qualifier Award but teammate Creamer took the first moto from start to finish, not letting up on his lead after he took the MotorycleUSA.com holeshot award. Creamer was able to create breathing room while behind him Honda veteran Joe Byrd worked his way up from a midpack start to take second place behind Creamer and Warnert Can-Am’s Natalie, who took third. Wimmer, who only had to grab five points to secure the championship succeed in the first race by coming in fourth in moto one. After the first moto he was rewarded with the AMA Pro ATV MX number one plate. Wienen tangled with Thomas Brown on the start, causing him to finish all the way back in 13th place.

In Moto 2, Wimmer took it easy but Creamer didn’t fare quite as well when Harold Goodman beat him to the punch off the line to grab the Motorcycleusa.com holeshot. He led until he got a rock caught in his caliper and had to exit to the mechanic’s area. Creamer took over the lead and began to battle with his teammate Wienen. Wienen made a late pass on Creamer to take the moto. Byrd, who had won on his home track at Loretta’s several times, took third despite a solid start off the line.

“I felt really good,” Creamer said. “I took the overall win for the last race of the year. When Chad got around me I wasn’t that worried about it. I knew he wanted to win that moto but I wasn’t going to try to get in his way. The track was good, they finally changed it this year and I liked it. It got good and round. Everything worked out good for me.”

Photo By: Stephani McIntyre
Byrd’s fine performance at Loretta’s earned
him the number 2 plate.

“I love the track,” Byrd said. “I love the heat. But we didn’t have the right setup this weekend. I’m satisfied. I came out here to win. With our results up and down all year, I’ll settle for second.”

Wienen held the points lead late in the season but suffered through a bad run of poor starts, he can at least end the series on a positive note having won the final moto.

In other news, former Pro Am Production Cody Gibson made his Pro Race debut at Loretta’s but had mechanical issues.

Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Bobby Ross took home the victory in Pro Am Production, followed by ATP Racing’s Josh Williams in second and Rath Racing’s Casey Martin in third.

After the ProAm Production race the incorrect finishes were announced at the track and then podium photo appearances were incorrect. The riders awarded were: Ross,

Photo By: Stephani McIntyre
Natalie roared to a third place podium finish, giving
him the number 7 plate.

Williams and Rastrelli. However by finish positions Factory Polaris/Rath Racing/Exposed Clothing rider Casey
Martin held the third place finish. Even eScore is showing this correct finish based on tie breaker rules.

Highlights will air on ATVision powered by Quad Magazine this Wednesday, with a link posted on quadmagazine.com. The race will also air on Versus Network in a special ATV MX episode of Racer TV. That show airs on Sunday September 27th 2:30p.m., with a re-air on Tuesday September 29th @ 5:00 p.m. Head to atvmotocross.com for all the latest information.

Photo By: Stephani McIntyre
Dustin Wimmer claims his second Pro ATV MX
Championship!

AMA Pro ATV Finish

1. Josh Creamer (KAW)

2. Joe Byrd (HON)

3. John Natalie (CAN)

4. Dusin Wimmer (SUZ)

5. Doug Gust (SUZ)

6. Cody Miller (CAN)

7. Chad Wienen (KAW)

8. Josh Upperman (HON)

9. Brandon Smith (CAN)

10. Keith Little (KAW)

AMA Pro ATV Points

1. Dustin Wimmer (419/6 wins) 2.Joe Byrd (376/1 win) 3.Chad Wienen (373/2 wins) 4. Douglas Gust (356) 5.Josh Creamer (345/2 wins) 6.Josh Upperman (329) 7.John Natalie (296) 8.Jeremy Lawson (257) 9.Cody Miller (244) 10.Thomas Brown (221)

Pro Am Production Finish

1. Bobby Ross (KAW)

2. Josh Williams (SUZ)

3. Casey Martin (PLS)

4. Jeffrey Rastrelli (SUZ)

5. Chase Snapp (SUZ)

6. Joel Hetrick (KAW)

7. Joseph Bruening (KTM)

8. Devin Heimes (SUZ)

9. Justin Jones (SUZ)

10. Sean Taylor (HON)

Pro Am Production Points

1.Cody Gibson (241/6 wins) 2.Bobby Ross (161/1 win) 3.Chase Snapp (158/ 1 win) 4.Josh Williams(149) 5.Cody Grant (146/2 wins) 6.Casey Martin (130) 6. Joseph Bruening (130) 8.William Cottage (121) 9.Travis Moore (114) 10.Devin Heimes (112)

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