|
The Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, will enter unchartered territory this Saturday, August 16, as the brand new Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Indiana, will host the world’s most prestigious dirt-bike racing series for the very first time. The inaugural Thor Indiana National will serve as the penultimate stop of the 2014 season and fittingly enough, the 450 Class battle for the championship is reaching its most captivating point as the rounds wind down. Currently just seven points separate the Red Bull KTM duo of Ken Roczen and Ryan Dungey, while Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin continues to hold a significant lead over his 250 Class challengers.
Live broadcast coverage from Indiana begins Saturday at 1 p.m. ET with the first motos of the 450 and 250 Classes on MAVTV. Tape delayed coverage of the final 450 Class moto can be seen on NBC Sports Network at 5 p.m. ET, with the final moto broadcast of the 250 Class scheduled for 1 a.m. ET on Sunday, August 17, on NBC Sports Network.
Additionally, all the action can be seen as it happens online via live stream atProMotocross.com (first motos) and NBC Sports Live Extra (second motos).
One week ago, Dungey’s late season surge in the championship standings continued at Unadilla. The two-time series champion earned his third win in four rounds and closed the deficit to his teammate to single digits for the first time since the second round of the season at Hangtown. Now, both Roczen and Dungey share four wins apiece heading into the final two races of the championship. Dungey is full of confidence at the season’s most critical point. Photo: Simon Cudby / Racer X
At Unadilla, Dungey’s recent trend of seizing the opportunity continued. He got solid starts in each moto and attacked the field on the opening lap to put himself into the best position possible for the lengthy duration of the moto. Roczen was up to the task in Moto 1 and paced his teammate for the entirety of the race en route to second, but in Moto 2 he started several positions behind Dungey and was unable to move any higher than fourth while Dungey crossed the line in second and took home the overall win.
As a result, a 17-point swing has gone into Dungey’s favor the previous two rounds and he appears more confident than ever as he continues to track down Roczen. Meanwhile, the German rookie continues to look for that consistency that made him the rider to beat throughout the bulk of the championship. Unadilla marked the first time this season that Roczen failed to finish on the overall podium, which could be more significant than it seems given how the racing has played out in recent weeks. With just seven points separating the dominant KTM tandem, this championship is truly up for grabs with four motos and a total of 100 points still potentially up for grabs. While Dungey appears to have the momentum on his side, Roczen has proven you can never count him out. Factor in a track that no rider has ever seen and this weekend could provide an equal playing ground between the two championship contenders.
While GEICO Honda rider Eli Tomac’s role as spoiler has been well documented since his return to the championship from injury, Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Trey Canard emerged as another rider to keep an eye on at Unadilla. The veteran was arguably the fastest rider all day in New York and he capped off a strong afternoon with his first career moto win in the 450 Class, vaulting him to a season-best runner-up effort. Now that he knows how to win, Canard will no doubt be more confident and, in turn, faster than he’s been all season, adding another obstacle for the KTM pair to overcome as they each continue to maximize their efforts. Roczen is still searching for the consistency that earned him the red number plate. Photo: Simon Cudby / Racer X
While the 450 Class looks as if it will go down to the wire, the 250 Class appears to be getting closer and closer to falling into Martin’s hands. The sophomore rider was able to earn his first moto win in the last five attempts to finish second overall and gain even more ground on his championship rivals. Adding to the momentum Martin gained last weekend was the misfortune experienced by his teammate Cooper Webb. After battling up front in Moto 1, Webb crashed and finished outside the top five. In Moto 2, he appeared to suffer a bike malfunction and was forced to record a DNF. As a result, he gave up 31 points to Martin and fell to third in the championship standings. Canard added his name to the mix of potential 450 Class winners each time the gate drops. Photo: Simon Cudby / Racer X
Webb’s misfortune proved to be Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Blake Baggett’s benefit as the former series champion gained a spot in the standings. However, Baggett also lost 12 points to Martin at Unadilla and faces a 66-point deficit to the Yamaha rider.
Barring anything catastrophic, it appears as though Martin is well on his way to the first professional title of his young career. He’s proven he has the ability to handle the pressure of leading the championship and for the most part has extended his advantage for much of the 2014 season. He’s shown impressive patience when needed, but is also willing to fight for the win if it’s within reach. If Martin continues to do what he’s doing, it will be nearly impossible for either Baggett or Webb to close the deficit. Martin continues to hold his own and is one step closer to the 250 Class title. Photo: Simon Cudby / Racer X
The Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship travels from one of its oldest tracks, in Unadilla, to its newest track at Ironman Raceway. Located in the heart of one of the most motorsports-crazed pockets of the U.S. just outside Indianapolis, Ironman Raceway is destined to quickly carve out a unique place in the championship and in the world of racing as a whole. It boasts a tradition of hosting a round of the GNCC championship, with an event that has grown over time to become one of the largest and most celebrated events on the GNCC schedule. While the world’s best motocross riders won’t be trudging through the mud and trees like the off-roaders do, many of the same qualities that have made the Ironman GNCC legendary will be on display at the new Ironman Raceway motocross layout. The dirt is superb, and while the surrounding area is flat, the track offers huge elevation changes and massive jumps, which is always welcome by both riders and fans alike. It may be the newest venue in the championship, but Ironman Raceway is expected to fit right in with the best and most globally renowned tracks in the sport.
Action for the Thor Indiana National on Saturday, August 16, begins at 8:30 a.m. ET with timed practice. Opening ceremonies get underway at 12:25 p.m. ET, with the first gate drop scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET.
Previous Round Results
Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship Red Bull Unadilla National Unadilla – New Berlin, New York August 9, 2014 Round 10 of 12
450 Class (Moto Finish)
450 Class Championship Standings
250 Class (Moto Finish)
250 Class Championship Standings
|
|
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)
About Me: Adam has been a race fan since the first time he went through the tunnel under the Daytona International Speedway almost 30 years ago. He has had the privilege of travelling to races all across the state of Florida (as well as one race in Ohio), watching nearly everything with a motor compete for fame and glory, as well as participating in various racing schools to get the feel of what racecar drivers go through every week. Adam has spent the last three years covering motorsports for Examiner.com., where he had the opportunity to see the racing world from behind the scenes as well as the grandstands. He invites everyone to follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus, and looks forward to sharing his enthusiasm for all things racing with the readers of SpeedwayDigest.com.Be sure to tune in for his weekly sports talk program, Thursday Night Thunder, where he discusses the latest in motorsports news with drivers, crew members, and fans. The show takes place every Thursday at 8:00 pm EST on the Speedway Digest Radio Network.
- NHRA announces eight-race schedule for 2024 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series - January 17, 2024
- Forgeline and Pratt Miller Motorsports Announce New Multi-Year Partnership - January 17, 2024
- TAG Heuer Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein converts narrow pole to commanding win in the Season 10 opener of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship at the 2024 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix - January 16, 2024