FLY ATV Supercross Daytona International Speedway Daytona, Florida March 8, 2016

PEP’s John Natalie Jr made his return to ATV MX competition this year after suffering a near career-ending crash last year that resulted rib fractures and a collapsed lung. In addition, the man they call “Iron Man” was suffering from a joint infection just prior to this race, which has had him down for nearly the past month.

Maxxis' John Natalie Jr grabbed the Holeshot by edging out Chad Wienen into the first turn

“I still took that Baldwin motor and pulled the holeshot,” said Natalie Jr. “I’ve been laid up for almost three weeks with a bad infection in my left knee and the medication is really taking its toll on me. Sitting around not doing anything also took its toll. I just wasn’t in the kind if shape I needed to be in to go out there and win. But I don’t like to throw out excuses. I need to go back, do my homework and come back stronger.

Maxxis' Joel Hetrick challenged John Natalie Jr early on in the race before he collided into the rear of Natalie jr & went over the bars, which took Hetrick out of the race

“I’m extremely excited to be back,” added Natalie Jr. “This is the first race in years that made me nervous. It felt good to be nervous again. This is nothing I can’t overcome. This was a championship finish.”

John Natalie Jr secured a point in the SSi Declas Holeshot Award along with a $100 Bell Holeshot Award

Maxxis’ David Haagsma made his first start in the Daytona ATV Supercross and will be contesting the entire 2016 ATV MX season. The veteran Pro WORCS racer said he had trouble with his race setup, a mistake he won’t make again.

ELKA's David Haagsma got off to a mid pack start, which forced him to work his way up through the pack

“I didn’t have the suspension setup for the track; I thought they were going to groom it before the main, so that kind of put me at a deficit,” said Haagsma. “This is good momentum for the season. I could have been way worse, so I’ll take it.

Maxxis' David Haagsma made the pass on Brett Musick & moved into the top five, which he held to the finish for a great start to the season

“I’m really pumped to do the whole series,” continued Haagsma. “I have a couple of tracks coming up that I really like, including the next round in Texas. We’re going to get home, train and get ready for it. The whole team is awesome. Everyone in it and everyone backing us, is superb. This is going to be a great year.”

The AMA ATV Motorcross National Championship presented by CST Tires moves next to Underground MX in Kemp, TX April 9-10th

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