Muddy Creek MX, Blountville, TN 2008
- Updated: June 21, 2008
By Andy Bowyer, photos by Stephani McIntyre
Dustin Wimmer dominated both motos Sunday to claim his second consecutive overall Pro ATV victory at Muddy Creek Raceway. The event, the Oakley Southern Nationals, was Round 8 of the ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA ATVA Pro Motocross Championship.
Wimmer (No. 191 Team MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) took the victory, his fifth this season, ahead of Joe Byrd (No. 7 American Honda/Joe Byrd Racing School Honda). Harold Goodman (No. 708 American Honda/Houser Racing Honda) finished third, ending a string of bad luck with his first podium of the 2008 tour.
“I knew it was going to be important to get good starts today, so I was happy to gate in the top three in both motos,” said Wimmer. “The track was in good condition, but was tight, making it a little difficult to pass.
“I made almost all of my passes in the same corner then just tried to ride well.”
When asked if he felt any added pressure with the several Suzuki dignitaries from Japan, Wimmer offered: “No, I just kept my focus on the championship. My training program is working well, and I’m going to go home and continue to work hard.”
With three rounds remaining, Byrd slips to 67 points behind Wimmer in the Championship.
“I had the speed for half the motos both times out,” offered Byrd dejectedly. “I need to work on some set-up issues and try to figure out how to stay on his pace. I’m not satisfied with my performance. Second place is not where I want to be.”
Doug Gust (No. 55 MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper) grabbed the Suspension Systems Holeshot Award in the first moto and led the pack to the green flag. Byrd and Wimmer also gated well, with Byrd making a quick move to the inside of Wimmer to move into second. Wimmer and Byrd then dispatched Gust and set out on a battle that had the fans running fence line to fence line. Wimmer made an inside move to the lead at the halfway point, then set sail to the checkered flag. Byrd rode home second, while Gust rounded out the podium.
Byrd came out swinging for the second moto, grabbing the ATVRiders.com Holeshot Award. His charge was short lived, however, as Wimmer made a quick move to the inside on lap two to steal the lead. From there, the lanky Center Valley, Pa. resident put lap after perfect lap together and gradually pulled away from Byrd. Meanwhile, the racing behind them was intense. Goodman was riding unchallenged in third while a mammoth battle ensued between the fourth, fifth, and sixth positions between John Natalie Jr. (No. 13 Can-Am), Josh Creamer (No. 9 Monster Energy Kawasaki) and Jeremy Lawson (No. 16 Team Epic/Can-Am). At one point Creamer tried to force a pass in the rhythm section and collided with Natalie in the air. Both riders rode away from the collision, and Lawson took the position.
But, the day was all about Wimmer. The points leader won the Ti-Lube Fast Qualifier, and both motos leaving little doubt as to why he holds a commanding lead in Series points.
Special award winners were:
Ti Lube Fast Qualifier Award: Wimmer
Suspension Systems Holeshot Award–Moto 1: Doug Gust
ATVRiders.com Holeshot Award–Moto 2: Byrd
DASA Mechanic of the Race: Johnny Cross, Team Epic Can-Am (Lawson)
The next race for the ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA/ATVA National Motocross Championship is scheduled for July 12-13 at Pleasure Valley Raceway in Johnstown, Pa.
Results of Sunday’s ITP/ Tires Moose Racing AMA Pro ATV Motocross Championship at Muddy Creek Raceway (Showing finishing position, rider, bike number, bike brand, hometown, and moto finishes):
Dustin Wimmer, 191, Suzuki, Center Valley, Pa., 1-1.
Joe Byrd, 7, Honda, Union City, Tenn., 2-2.
Harold Goodman, 708, Honda, Romulus, Mich., 5-3.
Doug Gust, 55, Suzuki, Salem, Wis., 3-5.
Chad Wienen, 44, Suzuki, Galena, Ill., 4-8.
Russell Shumaker, 68, Kawasaki, Bristol, Wis., 6-13.
Cale Downen, 727, Honda, Junction, Ill., 10-10.
Jeremy Lawson, 16, Can-Am, Battletown, Ky., 18-4.
Sage Baker, 49, Can-Am, Shasta Lake, Calif., 9-12.
John Natalie, 13, Can-Am, Houtzdale, Pa., 16-7.
Rocco Arno, Jr., 101, Honda, Bridgeton, N.J., 14-9.
Cody Miller, 22, Can-Am, Greenville, Texas, 12-11.
Pat Brown, 199, Yamaha, Pittstown, N.J., 7-17.
Josh Creamer, 9, Kawasaki, North Stonington, Conn., 19-6.
Josh Upperman, 20, Honda, Louisville, Ohio, 8-18.
Hunter Miller, 90, Honda, Greenville, Texas, 15-15.
Greg Gee, 10, Can-Am, Simcoe, Ontario, 11-DNS.
Brock Lyons, 43, Polaris, Brownsburg, Ind., 17-16.
Jason Dunkelberger, 19, Honda, Trevorton, Pa., 20-14.
Keith Little, 12, Kawasaki, Spruce Pine, Ala., 13-DNS.
ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA Pro ATV Motocross Championship points leaders: Wimmer 329, Byrd 262, Gust 233, Natalie 200, Creamer 197, Goodman 196, Lawson 196, Upperman 164, Wienen 157, Arno 146.
Notebook:
OAKLEY ON BOARD…Oakley was named title sponsor of this weekend’s race at Muddy Creek, and brought its popular “Rolling Oakley O Show” rig to the event. The rig featured many Oakley products, including sunglasses, goggles, boots, watches and other riding and casual wear.
SUZUKI TRAVELERS…Team Suzuki brought several officials from its headquarters in Japan to this weekend’s race here.
HAGER HURT…Thomas Hager (No. 215 ATV Fourplay Suzuki) broke his left ankle during Pro qualifying on Saturday. Hager was treated and released from a local hospital.
WIENEN BACK…Chad Wienen returned to AMA Pro ATV competition this weekend after a one-race respite to heal shoulder injuries sustained earlier this season. Wienen (no. 44 Team Rockstar/MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) showed his time off was well worth it as he was in contention all weekend and even turned the fastest lap during the first moto.
ENTRY RECORD…A Muddy Creek Raceway event record 597 entries were on the sheets for this weekend’s race, of which 27 were Pros.
DINNER SERVED…Parts Unlimited held its popular Moose Racing Dinner Show Saturday night at Muddy Creek. The event featured Pro racers serving food to all participants in this weekend’s event.
TRACK IMPROVED…Though many people that attended this weekend’s race might not have noticed, Sam Gammon and his Victory Sports Racing crew worked for several weeks prior to the race, making many major improvements to the Muddy Creek facility. Included on the list of improvements was an expanded level parking area, a new road leading to the parking area, and expanded vendor and pit parking. In addition, track conditions were ideal due to the crew’s diligent efforts in preparing the facility.
“The promoters did a lot of preparation with the track,” said current Pro points leader Wimmer. “They mixed a lot of sawdust into the dirt and it really helped hold the moisture. Track conditions were perfect all weekend.”
Junior Class rider Trevor Miller’s mother Shannon Miller was also pleased.
“The promoters were really thinking about the amateur riders when they made these improvements,” said S. Miller. “Parking is so much better now. My thanks go out to Sam Gammon and his crew.”
Dustin Wimmer celebrates on the podium after winning his fifth race of the season Sunday at Muddy Creek Raceway. (Stephani McIntyre Photo)
Joe Byrd slides through a corner en route to finishing second and holding onto his second spot in Series points.
(Stephani McIntyre Photo)
Harold Goodman finished third, earning his first podium of the 2008 season.
(Stephani McIntyre Photo)
