Can-Am/ Motoworks's #1 John Natalie & #88 Joel Hetrick finished second & third at Muddy Creek ATV MX Round 2

Vista, CA (4/24/2012) – Can-Am / Motoworks’ John Natalie, Jr. and Joel Hetrick both charged their way to the podium at round number two of the 2012 AMA ATV Motocross Championships at Muddy Creek Raceway this past weekend.

The forecast called for rain in Blountville, TN but things stayed dry for the most part until near the end of the first pro moto, but that didn’t stop the Motoworks team racers from taking on the challenge and finishing on the podium.

The weather was dry as the gate dropped for the first moto, which gave John Natalie, Jr. a good start in the top three. Natalie quickly got to work and took over the lead by the third lap. Natalie was holding strong in the lead despite pressure from the competition. Natalie led for most of the race, but in the final few laps, the rain began to fall and the track became quite slick. Just two laps before the checkered flag, Natalie slid out in a corner and dropped back to the number two spot, despite his best efforts, he was not able to close in enough to challenge for the lead and crossed the finish line in second.

Can-Am/ Motoworks's John Natalie went 2-2 to place second overall

In the second moto, Natalie was inside the top five off the start and started working his way through the competition. Natalie moved into the number two spot where he battled briefly with his teammate Joel Hetrick, before closing in on the leader. Natalie pushed hard but was unable to get close enough to make a move before the checkered flag. Natalie’s 2-2 finishes gave him second place on the pro podium and he is holding strong in second in series points.

“We got out where we wanted to be for moto one, but I didn’t get the start I wanted in moto two and then got tied up, but I closed in on the lead and took second. I’m still happy to be on the podium and I have to thank Can-Am, Motoworks, Johnny Leach and everyone at Motoworks for their support,” said Natalie.

Joel Hetrick had the fastest qualifier lap time on his Motoworks powered Can-Am DS450 Sport ATV

Joel Hetrick was on fire in qualifiers and scored the fastest qualifying time once again. Hetrick was just outside the top on the start and began picking off the competition right away. Hetrick moved into third after just a couple of laps and rode unchallenged for the rest of the moto, taking third at the checkered flag.

Hetrick was fifth of the start in moto two and soon caught up to his teammate, Natalie. The pair battled and swapped positions briefly before Hetrick settled in to the number three spot where he stayed until reaching the finish line, giving him third overall on the podium.

“I had a good race and I’m glad to be on the podium. My quad ran great and I really have to thank Motoworks and all of my sponsors for helping me get here,” said Hetrick.

Round number three of the 2012 AMA ATV Motocross Championships will head to Budd’s Creek, MD on May 5th where the Can-Am/Motoworks team will be going for the podium.