Pourcel Claims Every Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship Specialty Award with RC Hard Charger at Indiana

In some of the most challenging conditions the series has seen in recent memory, the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, made its inaugural visit to the new Ironman Raceway on Saturday with the Thor Indiana National from Crawfordsville. The 11th stop of the 12-round season proved to be a fight against Mother Nature as much as a battle between riders, and following a pair of grueling motos in both the 450 Class and 250 Class, it was the Red Bull KTM duo of Ken Roczen and Marvin Musquin who enjoyed the spoils of victory, while Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin savored the clinching of his first career professional championship. All in all, the inclement weather produced a wild afternoon of competition in which a variety of riders held the spotlight at some point in time.

 

Through partnerships with series sponsors, the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship will recognize the riders who achieve the series’ specialty awards all summer long. Each week, MX Sports Pro Racing will recognize the riders who are able to lay claim to the Oakley Bomb Fastest Lap Program, the MotoSport.com Holeshot Award in each moto, and the Ricky Carmichael Hard Charger Award throughout the 2014 season.

 

The Oakley Bomb Fastest Lap Program is designed to present a unique challenge for the 2014 season, providing a different twist by recognizing the rider who sets the fastest lap of practice in both the 250 and 450 Classes. Each rider will receive special Oakley Bomb trophy, specially designed by the brand.As the season wears on, the total number of Oakley Bomb awards a rider receives will be tallied into a final season total. The competitor with the most awards at season’s end will be presented with an Elite Oakley Time Bomb II Swiss Automatic Watch.

 

Eli Tomac was all smiles after laying down the fastest time in qualifying.  

Tomac opted to sit out the second session due to the inclement weather.

Photo: Matt Rice / Alli Sports 

 

In the 450 Class, GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac captured his second Oakley Bomb Award of the 2014 season with an absolutely blistering lap. Tomac’s lap of 3:02.241 in his lone session of practice was a full nine seconds faster than anyone else at the event, ahead of a surprise second-place time from privateer rider Austin Wagner. Tomac’s success in Indiana proved to work in Roczen’s favor from a big picture standpoint, as the KTM rider and current championship points leader is now guaranteed to win the Elite Oakley Time Bomb II Swiss Automatic Watch with the most fastest laps of the season in the 450 Class, which currently sits at four.

 

In the 250 Class, Martin got his championship-clinching day off to a fast start by earning his second Oakley Bomb Award over stalwart Christophe Pourcel and his Valli Motorsports Yamaha. Martin’s time of 3:14.028 was nearly two seconds quicker than Pourcel’s fastest lap, and proved to pay big dividends in his hopes of wrapping up the title.

 

Jeremy Martin earned his second Oakley Bomb Award of the season.

Photo: Matt Rice / Alli Sports 

 

The Motosport.com Holeshot Award is brand new to Lucas Oil Pro Motocross this season and it awards $500 to the rider who gets the holeshot of each moto – in both the 450 Class and 250 Class – at every round of the 2014 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. A total of $2,000 will be up for grabs at each event between the two classes, thanks to Motosport.com.

 

Coming into Indiana, the Motosport.com Holeshot Award had been a showcase of dominance by Yamaha in recent weeks, namely Toyota/Yamaha/JGRMX’s Justin Brayton and Pourcel, who each carried multi-event streaks into Ironman Raceway. Unfortunately, neither rider, nor Yamaha, would be a factor in being first to the line last Saturday.

 

The opening 450 Class moto saw Roczen emerge with the Motosport.com Holeshot Award, and the German rookie was able to parlay that into a dominant wire-to-wire effort by winning his first moto since RedBud over 4th of July weekend. That performance ultimately put Roczen in a position to claim his fifth overall victory of the season and take one step closer to his first career national title.

Ken Roczen got the MotoSport.com Holeshot when it counted the most,  

staying clean off the muddy start.

Photo: Simon Cudby / Racer X 

 

In Moto 2, the momentum swung into Team Honda Muscle Milk rider Trey Canard’s favor, with the Oklahoma native edging out Roczen at the line and proceeding to put forth a near-flawless performance out front to earn his second moto win in his last three attempts. The moto triumph landed Canard second overall for the second straight week.

 

The 250 Class was the sight of yet another sweep of the Motosport.com Holeshot Awards, but this time it was Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda’s Jessy Nelson assumed the reigns from Pourcel. The California native was on point all afternoon at Indiana and was able to carry the momentum of his first moto holeshot into the inaugural moto win of his career. While he ultimately was unable to back up that effort with his second moto holeshot, Nelson still landed on the overall podium for the first time, finishing third overall and pocketing $1,000 in bonus money for his efforts.

Jessy Nelson used the MotoSport.com Holeshot Awards to springboard himself  

into a favorable position in both 250 Class motos.

Photo: Simon Cudby / Racer X 

 

The RC Hard Charger Award is entering its sixth season in 2014. Named after Ricky Carmichael, the most winning motocross rider of all time, the award recognizes the one competitor at each of the 12 rounds of the championship who overtakes the highest number of his fellow racers in any of the four championship motos between the 250 and 450 Classes.The award is a testament to “The Greatest of All Time” or “The GOAT” and his never-give-up attitude over the span of a career that warranted 10 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross titles and 102 wins – two feats that will likely never be duplicated. All recipients of the RC Hard Charger Award are given a custom-designed trophy.

 

Despite missing out on the other awards that he’s become familiar with this season, Pourcel still walked away from Indiana with some recognition for his achievements. While his fourth-place overall finish wasn’t quite what the former World Champion was looking for, Pourcel showed why he’s simply known as the “Crafty Frenchman” with an incredible come-from-behind effort in the opening 250 Class moto in what might have been the worst conditions of the day. When adversity struck Pourcel on the opening lap of the afternoon, he crossed the line all the way back in 31st position. Despite the hard luck, Pourcel made an impressive march through the field to pass 22 riders and break into the top 10 for a ninth-place finish. That effort was enough to earn him the RC Hard Charger Award and also gave him the distinction of being the only rider in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship to have earned each of the specialty awards available during the 2014 season.

  

Kellian Rusk’s mechanic provided a little extra incentive to charge through the pack.  

It paid off with his first RC Hard Charger Award.

Photo: Davey Coombs / Racer X 

 

However, Pourcel wasn’t the only rider to put forth a valiant effort in breaking through the pack, as two additional riders join the Frenchman this week as a co-recipient of the RC Hard Charger Award. Rusk Racing/M&R Trucking’s Kellian Rusk earned his first RC Hard Charger Award of the season en route to a 14th place finish overall. The Colorado native began his day with a 37th-place start in moto one of the 450 Class but through heart, determination and a great deal of persistence, Rusk was able to claw his way up to 15th, where he ultimately finished in moto one. Perhaps the driving force behind Rusk’s incredible come-from-behind performance was the pit board message from his mechanic, who wrote “Hard Charger” to remind Rusk to never give up. And he did just that, passing 22 riders in the first moto.

 

Trey Canard (41) captured the MotoSport.com Holeshot in Moto 2, while Josh Grant (33) rode on to a fifth place finish following a hard-charging effort in the first moto.

Photo: Christian Munoz / Racer X 

 

Toyota/Yamaha/N-FAB/JGRMX’s Josh Grant, who raced for the first time since suffering an injury during practice at Washougal, also earned the RC Hard Charger Award this week with another impressive come-from-behind performance. Grant began his afternoon with a 34th-place start in the first 450 Class moto, but was able to fight his way forward in the muddy conditions to ultimately finish just outside the top 10 in 12th, also passing 22 riders. For Grant it was the third time in 2014 that he’s earned the RC Hard Charger, the most of any rider in the series. While not a distinction Grant’s necessarily would have hoped for, it’s proven to be an indication of the veteran’s incredible resiliency and ability to overcome virtually any obstacle, the true nature of what the award represents.

 

2014 Specialty Award Winners

 

Oakley Fastest Lap Program

 

450 Class

 

Glen Helen        – Ryan Dungey

Hangtown          – Ken Roczen

Thunder Valley    – Trey Canard

High Point         –  Ken Roczen

Muddy Creek     –  Eli Tomac

Red Bud            –  Ken Roczen

Budds Creek      –  James Stewart

Spring Creek      –  Ken Roczen

Washougal        –  Ryan Dungey

Unadilla            –  Trey Canard

Indiana              –  Eli Tomac

 

250 Class

 

Glen Helen        – Christophe Pourcel

Hangtown          – Christophe Pourcel

Thunder Valley   – Christophe Pourcel

High Point         –  Jeremy Martin

Muddy Creek     –  Christophe Pourcel           

Red Bud            –  Christophe Pourcel

Budds Creek      –  Christophe Pourcel

Spring Creek      –  Christophe Pourcel

Washougal        –  Marvin Musquin

Unadilla            –  Christophe Pourcel

Indiana              –  Jeremy Martin

 

Motosport.com Holeshot Award

 

450 Class

 

Glen Helen

Moto 1 – Josh Grant

Moto 2 – Ken Roczen

 

Hangtown

Moto 1 – Ryan Dungey

Moto 2 – Jake Weimer

 

Thunder Valley

Moto 1 – Josh Grant

Moto 2 – Trey Canard

 

High Point

Moto 1 – Chad Reed

Moto 2 – Chad Reed

 

Muddy Creek

Moto 1 – Eli Tomac

Moto 2 – Ryan Dungey

 

Red Bud

Moto 1 – Ryan Dungey

Moto 2 – Ken Roczen

 

Budds Creek

Moto 1 – Justin Brayton

Moto 2 – Ryan Dungey

 

Spring Creek

Moto 1 – Ryan Dungey

Moto 2 – Eli Tomac

 

Washougal

Moto 1 – Justin Brayton

Moto 2 – Justin Brayton

 

Unadilla

Moto 1 – Justin Brayton

Moto 2 – Justin Brayton

 

Indiana

Moto 1 – Ken Roczen

Moto 2 – Trey Canard

 

 

250 Class

 

Glen Helen

Moto 1 – Jeremy Martin

Moto 2 – Jeremy Martin

 

Hangtown

Moto 1 – Zach Bell

Moto 2 – Jeremy Martin

 

Thunder Valley

Moto 1 – Jessy Nelson

Moto 2 – Zach Bell

 

High Point

Moto 1 – Christophe Pourcel

Moto 2 – Christophe Pourcel

 

Muddy Creek

Moto 1 – Christophe Pourcel

Moto 2 – Justin Bogle

 

Red Bud

Moto 1 – Matt Biscegila

Moto 2 – Joey Savatgy

 

Budds Creek

Moto 1 – Justin Bogle

Moto 2 – Jeremy Martin

 

Spring Creek

Moto 1 – Christophe Pourcel

Moto 2 – Christophe Pourcel

 

Washougal

Moto 1 – Christophe Pourcel

Moto 2 – Christophe Pourcel

 

Unadilla

Moto 1 – Christophe Pourcel

Moto 2 – Christophe Pourcel

 

Indiana

Moto 1 – Jessy Nelson

Moto 2 – Jessy Nelson

 

RC Hard Charger Award

 

Glen Helen        – Josh Grant (+22)

Hangtown          – Andrew Short (+24)

Thunder Valley      –    Fredrik Noren (+21)

High Point         – Shane Sewell & Zack Williams (+14)

Muddy Creek     –  Josh Grant (+29)

Red Bud            –  Fredrick Noren & Joey Savatgy (+21)

Budds Creek      –  Dean Wilson (+21)

Spring Creek      –  Jason Anderson (+25)

Washougal        –  Tevin Tapia (+18)

Unadilla            –  Cade Clason & Luke Renzland (+17)

Indiana              –  Christophe Pourcel, Kellian Rusk & Josh Grant (+22)

 

The 12th and final round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship heads to Tooele, Utah, for the second annual Zions Bank Utah National on Saturday, August 23.

MX Sports Pro Racing

MX Sports Pro Racing manages and produces the world’s most prestigious professional motocross series – the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. The industry leader in off road power sport event production and management, its mission is to showcase the sport of professional motocross competition at events throughout the United States. Through its various racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports Pro Racing organizes events for thousands of action sports athletes each year and attracts millions of motorsports spectators. Visitwww.mxsportsproracing.com.

 

Alli Sports

Alli Sports is a media, event and branded content company that specializes in action, adventure, and adrenaline based sports. Alli Properties include the Dew Tour, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, the Red Bull Signature Series and World of Adventure Sports presented by Go Pro. Alli Sports is a division of the NBC Sports Group. More information can be found at www.Allisports.com.

 

AMA Pro Racing        

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines.  Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

 

Lucas Oil Products    

Based in Corona, Calif., Lucas Oil Products, Inc is the world leader of High Performance Lubricants and Problem Solving Additives and produces and markets 272 unique formulations in thirty four countries around the globe and is growing country by country, market by market every year. Through innovative product research and development, along with progressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top-selling additive line in the American truck-stop industry.  Lucas Oil is involved in an array of motorsports sponsorships, including the “Official Motor Oil of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.” Visit: www.lucasoil.com.

 

MAVTV

MAVTV is a television network with its roots deep in the automotive world.  With an unparalleled line-up of motorsports events and exclusive automotive reality shows, MAVTV is the answer for motor-heads from all walks of life.  But MAVTV is much more than a motorsports destination, with original action/adventure programming, live MMA and an unbelievable library of blockbuster movies – MAVTV is a network the whole family can enjoy.  A network by the people and for the people, made in America and American Real.  Visit: www.mavtv.com.

(Lucas Oil Pro Motocross PR)

Adam Sinclair