Can-Am/ Motoworks's Joel Hetrick took his first overall win of the 2012 AMA ATV MX series & was joined on podium by teammate John Natalie

Vista, CA (5/9/2012) – Can-Am / Motoworks’ Joel Hetrick has been a threat for an overall win at every round so far in the 2012 AMA ATV Motocross Championships and this past weekend, he followed through. Hetrick topped the podium at round number three in Budd’s Creek and was joined on the podium by his teammate, John Natalie, Jr., who claimed third overall.

The rocky dirt of Budd’s Creek in Mechanicsville, MD left battle scars on many racers, and it is widely known that it is not one of the #88, Joel Hetrick’s favorite tracks, but his results this past weekend could change his mind after a pair of second place finishes gave him the overall win.

In the first moto, Hetrick was in third off the line and immediately began to pressure for second. Hetrick stayed close and soon inherited the number two spot when the leader bobbled and fell back. Hetrick rode a solid and consistent moto and finished in a close second place. “Moto one was good. Budd’s Creek isn’t really my style, and I’ve had some bad luck there in the past, so I just stayed in second. I wanted to get on the podium and not chance it and risk losing points,” Hetrick explained.

Joel Hetrick currently sits forth in the AMA ATV MX Pro Points on his Can-Am DS450 Sport ATV

In the second moto, Hetrick was in fifth of the start right behind his teammate, John Natalie, Jr. The pair plowed through traffic and quickly took over first and second place. “We were just mowing through everyone and the fans were cheering us on; it was awesome,” said Hetrick.

Hetrick knew that he would be able to take the overall win of he stayed in second place, so the young racer rode a smart race and stayed in second place, giving him his first overall win of the season. “The track was gnarly. After I got into second, I knew I had the overall win so I settled down a bit. I’m really excited to get my first win of the season, especially at Budd’s Creek because it isn’t really my track, but it paid off for me. I really have to thank Can-Am, Motoworks, DWT, my parents and all of our sponsors for helping me get the win,” said Hetrick, whose efforts have earned him the nickname “Kid Dynamite”.

Defending Champion #1 John Natalie rounded out the Pro podium in third

John Natalie, Jr. got off to a decent start in the first moto in the number five spot. Natalie charged his way into the number four spot and was closing in on third, but ended up going over a berm, which put him back in the number 13 spot. Natalie put the hammer down and made a strong charge into the number six spot before crossing the finish line. “The first moto didn’t go quite how I wanted, so I had something to prove in the second moto,” said Natalie.

Natalie held true to his word in moto two as he charged off the start in fourth place and quickly moved into third. Natalie was able to close in and take over the lead when both the leader and second place encountered issues, slowing them up. Once out front, Natalie put in fast lap times and cruised to the checkered flag for the moto two win. Natalie’s efforts also allowed him to be on the podium in the number three spot. “It was a tough race but it was exciting and it was a lot of fun out there. Once we got up to the top three I just put my head down and kept charging forward. It was a great track and I am thankful to everyone who helped me get to the podium today,” said the defending champ.

Round number four of the 2012 AMA ATV Motocross Championships will head to Sunset Ridge in Walnut, IL on May 19th – 20th where the Motoworks team will be going for another win.