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Casey
Martin Podium at AMA ATV Motocross
- Loretta Lynn's Season Finale
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Minneapolis, MN (8/18/2009) - Factory
Polaris Rath Duro Rider Casey Martin had one
goal when he joined the team a short few months
ago, get to the front and put the Polaris Outlaw
450MXR on the podium. After a hard charge in
Moto One and a dramatic finish in Moto Two,
he did just that, not only earning him a podium
finish, but doing so on a new machine after
a midyear switch.
As always, Loretta Lynn’s was hot,
humid and packed! Gates were full, qualifying
was brutal and riders were on edge. It was
the last round and championships were going
to be won or lost after a long hard season.
This was it and the riders were going to show
what they were made of. The spectators endured
the heat to cheer on their favorites, standing
at the sidelines to watch the helmets come
off and see the look on the exhausted overheated
rider’s faces that showed success or
defeat. The smiles were there through the
mud, sweat and dirt that caked faces or the
heads were bowed on handlebars after their
last valiant effort just wasn’t enough.
That oh so famous saying ,“ Well that’s
racing!” proved over and over to be
so true as those gates fell for the last time
on the 2009 season.
Martin started his weekend with Pro Am Production
qualifying fifth to secure his spot in the
Motos. In the first Moto, Martin shot off
the line and headed for that first turn making
the corner in fourth out of a full field of
20 riders. As he continued to try and make
his way through the pack, the third place
rider began to feel the pressure and made
a slight mistake sending him over the handlebars
and, unfortunately, collecting Martin along
with him in the crash. With Martin off the
bike and riders racing by he found himself
back in 17th place, it was time to go to work.
He rode an absolute flawless second half of
the race picking of riders in as he went finishing
in a respectable Ninth position.
Moto Two holeshot was a replay finding Martin
once again in one of the top positions as
they came out of the first corner. Running
some of the fastest lap times in second Moto,
he was in a comfortable second place position
looking to close the gap on the leader. Then
it was time to kick the excitement up, entering
into a rhythm section, Martins knee must have
knocked the radiator hose lose and with a
blast of steam it looked like his weekend
was over. Determined not to quit and finish
his race he pushed on holding onto his second
place with a dramatic, hold-your-breath finish.
The third place overall victory was earned
with Martin’s ninth and second Moto
finishes.
AMA ATV Motocross Pro Am Production
– Loretta Lynn’s Top 5:
1st Bobby Ross – Kaw
2nd Josh Williams – Suz
3rd Casey Martin – Polaris
4th Jeffrey Rastrelli – Suz
5th Chase Snap - Suz
“We were really close a couple times
already this year, running one strong Moto,
then bad luck seemed to strike me in the second
one,” said Martin. “I knew I could
put the Polaris Outlaw 450MXR on the podium
and was committed to doing so. It was great
to finish the season on the box and I am already
concentrating on next year, I want to be there
quite a few times in 2010.”
“This was an incredible close to the
season,” said Eric Nault, race team
manager for Polaris. “We congratulate
Martin and the entire Rath team on the win
and for the continued work and dedication.”
Polaris/Rath/Duro
Team Partners and valuable sponsors:
Polaris Industries - Rath Racing - Duro Tire
- Fox Shox -Fly Racing- FMF Exhausts -DWT
Douglas Wheel Technologies- B&B Racing
Engines -Wiseco - RPM- Fly Racing - S&S
Cycle Inc. -Hinson Clutch Components - Xstream
Composites- Precision Racing Products - Pure
Polaris Lubricants & Fuels - WPS - QuadTech
-- Powermadd - Tireballs - Faast Co. - Scott
Goggles - PEP -- K&N Filters - Moto X
Nutrition- Team Industries -Rebel Gears -DP
Brakes - MedZone Products - Klotz Products-
AEM Exposed Magazine