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Warnert AMA ATV MX report round 7
John Natalie
Takes Moto Win at Unadilla
Cody Miller
John Natalie |
New Berlin, NY – Diversity was the name of
the game at Unadilla this weekend where the only
thing hotter than the weather, was the action on
the track as John Natalie took his second moto
win of the season. The blistering heat wave that
has been plaguing the east coast not only
brought rising temperatures, but also some very
diverse weather conditions; conditions which
were a blessing in disguise for the Warnert
team.
Some issues with the gate pick put both John
Natalie and Cody Miller in the last places for
the pick, which landed both racers in less than
desirable gate positions. Natalie and
Miller made the best of the situation even
though they were at the back of the pack on the
first moto holeshot.
John came into the first corner in 16th
place, but began the process of picking off his
competition. By the 7th lap, John had worked his
way to 7th place, where he stayed to the end of
the moto. Miller did not fare quite as well in
the first moto as the high heat and humidity
took their toll and fatigue set in. Miller ended
his first moto in 16th place; however, moto
number two would be a different story for both
racers.
With only a couple of hours before they would
be lining up for the second moto, the rain began
to fall. The Warnert team made a couple of last
minute changes to ensure the DS450’s would make
it through the slick mud and abundant puddles
that were forming with out sucking in any water
as goggles were being prepped with extra tear
offs to keep vision as clear as possible in the
wet conditions.
As the gate dropped, John came flying off the
line and by the 2nd turn had taken the lead.
John began to pull away from the rest of the
pack and at one point had an incredible
seven-second lead. John led the entire moto
unchallenged and went on to take his second moto
win of the season. “It feels really good to take
the win again. Warnert did a good job of getting
things ready today,” said Natalie. John’s 7-1
finishes put him in 4th overall for the day and
moved him up to 4th place in the points race
with 181 points.
Meanwhile, Cody Miller, who was secretly
hoping for rain, got his wish for moto two.
Conditions that seem less than favorable to
other racers seem to agree quite well with
Miller as he has always seems to prevail in the
mud and this time was no different. Miller came
off the line in mid-pack and began picking off
riders one by one. “I just stayed focused and
tried to keep my vision clear,” said Miller. By
the 11th lap, Miller had charged his way up to
6th place, where he remained all the way to the
checkered flag. Cody’s 16-6 finishes put him in
10th overall. Cody currently remains in 11th
place in the points standings with 117 points.
The next round of the AMA ATV Motocross
Nationals will be held at Muddy Creek Raceway in
Blountville, TN on June 21-22 where Natalie
hopes to put his DS450 at the top spot on the
podium.
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