RRR’s Sam Rowe Best Pro Finish at Unadilla MX
Root River Racing’s Pro ATV MX Race Report

The day started off a positive note for Rowe during timed qualifying and only improved from there. “I started off feeling great in timed qualifying and when the first moto came around I got a decent start behind Nick Gennusa and Brett Musick. For the first couple laps I stayed with them. I put my head down and caught up to Musick and got around him, so I ended up seventh in the first moto. That is my highest moto finish all year,” explained Rowe.

Sam Rowe finished a season best 8th Overall in the Pro Class

After a great first moto, Rowe’s confidence was building and it showed in the second moto when he rocketed his Root River Racing machine off the gate to a second place start behind Chad Wienen.

“I was definitely freaking out a little and got kind of pumped up. About halfway through, I was starting to regain my composure in fifth place, but in the Pro section Musick and I came together, and I came off the bike a little. I kept the clutch going so the bike did not stall, but I dropped back to tenth. It was a crazy moto, and I think if nothing happened, I could have came out with a solid sixth or seventh, but overall I am stoked on my finish.”

In Pro Am, Rowe went 3-10 for sixth overall. The second moto Rowe connected with his teammate in the start, nearly crashing and causing some mechanical issues that kept him from the finish he was counting on.

Sam Rowe finished 3rd in Pro-Am Moto One at Unadilla MX

“I came out in second and right after the first corner my teammate and I connected fourth gear wide open. My rear end started to swap out really bad. I don’t know how I held on to it and saved it, but I am really thankful that I did. All in all it was a good weekend, I rode good and had fun,” explained Rowe.

Root River Racing’s other Pro rider Josh Upperman took ninth overall in the Pro class, right behind Rowe. “I just had a really bad holeshot and was in the back of the pack. With the track being so fast it was harder to pass. Everyone was running a really good pace and I was just not able to make passes,” said Upperman.

Josh Upperman finished 9th Overall at Unadilla MX

Upperman is still fourth in the championship points and is optimistic heading into the final rounds of the season. “We are still right there. With the points being so tight it is definitely going to be a battle to the end. It is what it is for the weekend. I just have to try to not let that bug me and put my head down, stay focused, and go into Redbud and get on that podium,” stated Upperman.

Root River Racing’s Pro riders will return to AMA ATV Motocross National Championship racing at the tenth round. The event will be held at Redbud MX in Buchanan, MI July 30-31.

Josh Upperman 2016 Sponsors:
Root River Racing, Hoosier Tires, Motowoz, Fly Racing, Hinson, JB Racing, Rage ATV, DWT, Fasst company, Sunstar, Powermadd, FTR, Fourwerx, Yoshimura, Pepsi, DP Brakes, Rath, 100%, La Crescent Wine and Spirit, Streamline, PT Welding, Works Connection, RPM, Racing for Cancer, C&L Powder Coating, Trimbles Cycle Center, Rods Powersports, Severson Oil co