Race Briefs
Dustin Wimmer
Dominates Tennessee
BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (June 22, 2008) -- 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.
