Can-Am/ Motoworks's John Natalie & Joel Hetrick went 1-3 at Ballance MX

Vista, CA (6/5/2012) – Can-Am / Motoworks’ John Natalie, Jr. swept both motos and claimed his first overall win of the season at round number five of the 2012 AMA ATV Motocross Championships, while Joel Hetrick came on strong and finished third on the podium.

This was the first time for the series to be held in the evening hours and Ballance Moto X was well equipped with stadium style lighting throughout the entire course. While the first pro moto still provided plenty of daylight, moto two was another story and the unique conditions and lighting did cause issues for some racers, but the Can-Am/Motoworks team was not affected by these conditions.

John Natalie went 1-1 aboard his Motoworks powered Can-Am DS450 to win the Pro Class AMA ATV MX Round 5

As the gate dropped for the first moto, defending champ, John Natalie, Jr. charged off the start in the number two spot and took over the lead after just a few turns into the first lap. Natalie did come under pressure at the midway point of the moto, but Natalie held his ground and took his lead all the way to the checkered flag for the moto one win. “It was starting to get dust for the first moto, but the lighting wasn’t bad and I could see just fine, but I know a few other guys that had some issues with it,” said Natalie.

Can-Am/ Motoworks's John Natalie grabbed the Holeshot in Moto 2 & lead the race until the checkered flag waved

For moto two, Natalie previous experience with stadium racing and lighting worked to his advantage. Natalie grabbed the holeshot and never looked back. Natalie kept a consistent lead and took the moto two win giving him his first overall victory of the season. “This was really unique race for us and is one for the history books and I am glad to put Can-Am and Motoworks on top of the podium for it. I had a great weekend. I had a great night and I am really happy to take the win here. I can’t thank Johnny and everyone at Motoworks enough for all of their hard work and giving it everything they have every time so we can come out here and do well,” said Natalie.

Can-Am / Motoworks’ Joel Hetrick was also looking strong for this round. Hetrick was just outside of the top five off the start in the first moto. Hetrick quickly worked his way into third place and looked as if he would take it all the way to the finish line, but a bobble late in the moto cost him his position and the number 88 ran out of time before he could get close enough to retake his position.

Can-Am/ Motoworks's Joel Hetrick went 4-2 giving him the final spot on the Pro Podium in third

For moto two, Hetrick wasn’t about to settle for anything less than the podium and charged off the start in second, right behind his teammate Natalie. Hetrick stayed close in the number two spot and held his position from start to finish. Hetrick’s 4-2 finishes allowed him to take the final spot on the pro podium. “It was a little different racing at night, but I didn’t have any problems and everything went well for me. Moto two went good for me. I followed John off the start and just rode a good race. I have to thank Can-Am, Motoworks, my mom and dad, and all of our sponsors for helping us do well and get on the podium,” said Hetrick.

Round number six of the 2012 AMA ATV Motocross Championships will have the Can-Am/Motoworks team heading for High Point Raceway in Mount Morris, PA on June 16th – 17th where the Motoworks team will be going for the win.