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Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Creamer Rides to Huge
Comeback at Loretta Lynn’s ATV Dirt Days
Hurricane Mills, Tenn. – Monster Energy
Kawasaki’s Josh Creamer came from behind in the
second moto to finish out the AMA ATV Motocross
Championship Series on the box in third at
Loretta Lynn’s Ranch. The points season
concluded this weekend in Tennessee with Creamer
finishing fourth. Teammates Keith Little and
Russell Shumaker finished the weekend in 14th
and 17th overall.
Going All Out
In the first moto, Creamer was on the gas at the start and
narrowly missed the holeshot, settling into
second on the first lap. He made the pass for
the lead and eventually came across the line in
second.
The second moto was slightly
different when he was pushed out into a tree,
putting him nearly dead last when he got back on
the track. He rode an incredible race, making a
pass on the last lap to gain enough points for
an overall podium.
“In the second moto, I
almost had the holeshot,” said Creamer. “I don’t
know if I got bumped or just got into some soft
dirt, but I ended up going straight for a tree.
It definitely hurt, but I couldn’t let a good
first moto go to waste. I rode so hard and I am
glad that it all paid off in the end.”
Amazing Improvements
Creamer has shown great
improvements over the course of the last year.
Like in most racing, he has had his share of ups
and downs, but this year he was definitely out
to prove that he and his Kawasaki had what it
takes to be on the box.
“This year we
have tried to show how great the Kawasaki
KFX450R really is,” said Creamer. “Last year was
a big development year and I know that we are
continuing to make big advances. It’s been a
great year and I’m extremely happy with the
support from Kawasaki and everyone at the
races.”
Dealing With It
Keith Little
did what he could to get his quad through the
pack, but a rock in his front brakes during the
first moto and no front brakes in the second
brought him a 14th place finish.
“With
the issues we had, I did what I could to bring
it across the line,” said Little. “This track
felt good with the exception of “The Ten
Commandments.” I wasn’t a big fan but I’m
definitely ready to go to Steel City and get a
good race in.”
Flagger Down
Russell
Shumaker’s results don’t tell how hard he worked
in his motos. He had a string of bad luck and
ended the day 17th overall. His second moto was
inspiring as he rode from dead last, after
getting caught up in a second turn pile up, to
finish eleventh.
“In the first moto,
there was a lot of bumping on the start and I
got pushed out into a different section and
almost took out a flagger station. I came back
on and made a good push to the front.
Unfortunately, a rock went into my first brake
rotor and that time I ended up taking out the
flagger station just after the finish line.”
Season Finale, Almost
The race at Loretta Lynn’s
Ranch marked the last points-paying race of the
AMA ATV National Motocross Championship. Creamer
finished the season in fourth, while Little and
Shumaker were 13th and 14th.
“It’s good
to have the points season over and just go to
Steel City looking to have fun and do well,”
said Little. “I’ve won there before and I think
it’s a great way to round out the season.”
Next Race…
The last official race of the
season will be in three weeks as the ATV riders
join the AMA Motocross Championship at Steel
City Raceway. The event will take place after
the last motocross moto on Saturday night and
will feature some of ATV’s biggest names. Last
year, Creamer finished just off the podium in
fourth and is looking to make his mark this
year.
“I can’t wait for that race,” said
Creamer. “It’s on my birthday and I’m ready for
a big birthday present. I really liked the track
last year, so you can say I’m excited!”
Loretta’s is Cold?
Most people that attended
the amateur motocross event last week would not
believe that the weather at Loretta Lynn’s was
absolutely beautiful all weekend. After a week
of extreme humidity and heat during the amateur
national, the teams and spectators were greeted
with amazing temperatures and even a cool
breeze.
Results
AMA ATV National Motocross
Championship Series
Loretta Lynn’s Ranch –
Hurricane Mills, Tenn.
August 10, 2008
Pro Class Overall Results (Moto Finishes)
1. Chad Wienen, Galena, Ill.,
Suzuki, 1-2
2. Dustin
Wimmer, Center Valley, Pa., Suzuki, 4-3
3.
JOSH CREAMER, N. STONINGTON, CONN., MONSTER
ENERGY KAWASAKI, 2-6
4. Joe
Byrd, Union City, Tenn., Honda, 10-1
5.
Doug Gust, Salem, Wis., Suzuki, 3-5
6.
Pat Brown, Pittstown, N.J., Yamaha, 7-4
7.
Cody Miller, Greenville, Texas, Can Am, 8-7
8. Harold Goodman, Romulus,
Mich, Honda, 11-8
9. Greg
Gee, Simcoe, Ontario, Can Am, 12-9
10.
Jeremy Lawson, Battletown, Ky., Can Am, 6-17
14. KEITH LITTLE, SPRUCE PINE,
ALA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 15-13
17.
RUSSELL SHUMAKER, BRISTOL, WIS., MONSTER ENERGY
KAWASAKI, 20-11
Pro Class Point Standings
1. Dustin Wimmer, Center
Valley, Pa., Suzuki, 438
2.
Joe Byrd, Union City, Tenn., Honda, 371
3.
Doug Gust, Salem, Wis., Suzuki, 352
4.
JOSH CREAMER, N. STONINGTON, CONN., MONSTER
ENERGY KAWASAKI, 298
5.
Jeremy Lawson, Battletown, Ky., Can Am, 277
6. Chad Weinen, Galena, Ill.,
Suzuki, 268
7. John
Natalie, Jr., Houtzdale, Pa., Can Am, 263
8.
Harold Goodman, Romulus, Mich., Honda, 259
9.
Josh Upperman, Louisville, Ohio, Honda, 227
10. Pat Brown, Pittstown,
N.J., Yamaha, 187
13. KEITH
LITTLE, SPRUCE PINE, ALA., MONSTER ENERGY
KAWASAKI, 179
14. RUSSELL SHUMAKER, BRISTOL,
WIS., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 164
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