Maxxis’s Joel Hetrick Wins Third Straight at High Point
Maxxis / Elka / Liquid Wrench / Honda AMA ATV MX Team Report

Mt Morris, PA (5/24/2016) - Maxxis / Elka / Liquid Wrench / Honda’s Joel Hetrick took his third consecutive overall Pro win at round five of the 2016 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship at High Point Raceway in Mount Morris, PA. David Haagsma took a seventh place Pro class finish, and Grayson Eller took third in College and fourth in 450 B.

ATV MX - Round 5 - Pro ATV Motocross Podium (left to right) Chad Wienen (2nd), Joel Hetrick (1st), Ronnie Higgerson (3rd)

Rain showers plagued the race track causing muddy, one lined track conditions. Thankfully for Hetrick, he snagged the ATVRiders.com Fastest Qualifier Award and went into the first moto with first gate pick.

“First moto I tried something new and went completely all the way to the right side, and it worked, but Wienen had a better jump, so I ended up right behind him and just battled with him the whole time. I ended up a second behind him at the finish, I just could not make the pass because the was super one lined with the rain,” explained Hetrick.

In the second moto, Hetrick grabbed the holeshot and went on to dominate the moto. “I ripped the start. My Maxxis tires with the Tireballs hooked up great and the DASA motor pulled it out of there. I never looked back, led every lap, and even pulled a pretty good gap quickly.”

DASA Racing’s Joel Hetrick grabbed the Moto 2 Holeshot & held the lead from start to finish

Hetrick’s results are impressive to say the least, but taking a look at the lap times really proves just how dominating he was. Hetrick not only laid down the fastest lap time of the class each moto, and his time was one second faster than anyone in moto two. On top of that, Hetrick had four laps in total faster than anyone else on the track, and won the race by over twelve seconds.

“I have been riding every day and “The Program” with my trainer has been pretty intense lately. Even now, I am preparing for Monster Mountain. I think it helps getting out there and working the bugs out the day after the race,” said Hetrick, who’s dedication is unquestionable.

Joel Hetrick claimed his third straight overall win, which keeps him in the hunt for the 2016 AMA Pro ATV Motocross Championship

Hetrick is feeling increasingly confident with each win, and will be hard to stop after taking his third overall win in a row. “Three in a row is sick. I do not think I have ever done that before. I have the spotlight now, and I feel good about that. I am confident I can win on a dry track. I am usually not good in the mud, so for me to win three in a row with two being mud races, I am pretty happy.”

Hetrick is still 28 points back in second, but there are many motos left to go in the season and anything can happen. With a win streak like Hetrick has going, it is only a matter of time before the points race tightens up.

Hetrick’s mechanic Paul Turner has been a big part of Hetrick’s success this season. “It is getting easier each race to communicate with him, and we are building a bond. He is motivating me, and I can count on the bike being 100 percent every time I go out. I trust him and that’s the main thing, you have to trust your mechanic. I am really happy with the whole team,” stated Hetrick.

Teammate, David Haagsma also competed in the Pro class. The first moto Haagsma came around the first lap in eleventh, and despite the muddy, one lined track conditions, he was able to work in some passes to salvage eighth.

#422 David Haagsma finished 7th overall at High Point

The second moto Haagsma took fifth for a seventh overall. Haagsma is currently eighth in the championship points.

Grayson Eller took a podium finish in College 16-24. Eller took second in his heat race and fourth in the second moto for third overall. Eller is currently leading the College 16-24 points for the National Championship.

Grayson Eller claimed his second straight podium finish in College 16--24, which has him leading the class points & he is top five in points in the Open B & 450 B classes

In 450 B, Eller captured 3-5 moto finishes for fourth overall.

The Maxxis / Elka / Liquid Wrench / Honda team will compete next at Monster Mountain MX Park in Tallassee, AL for the sixth round of the 2016 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship June 4-5.

2016 Race Team Sponsors
Maxxis, Liquid Wrench, Elka, Fly, Scott, SSi Decals, DWT, Hinson, Bel Ray, Sunstar, Works Connection, Sandridge Foods, Impact Solutions, Fourwerx, Alpinestar, DC Designs, Precision Racing Products