AMA ATV Motocross Nationals Round #8 - Sunday Creek MX Millfield, OH July 2, 2011

Can-Am/Motoworks’ John Natalie, Jr. was riding with a broken arm, but looked quite impressive in the first few laps as he worked his way into the top five, but Natalie’s injury would get the best of him and he would drop back and eventually pull off the track. “My arm was pretty sore after the first moto, but I wasn’t going to give up and decided I was going back out for moto two,” said Natalie.

In moto two, Natalie was in mid-pack off the start and battled it out with Joe Byrd for a couple of laps before getting by and eventually working his way into sixth place before reaching the checkered flag. Natalie 16-6 finishes allowed him to round out the top ten and allowing him to hold the points lead with seven points over Josh Upperman. “I’ve got a couple of weeks to heal up before Unadilla. I’m not going there to salvage points, and I’m not going there for a spot on the podium; I am going there to win,” said Natalie with determination.

Mark Winchester held on for an eleventh place overall, with Harold Goodman going 12-11 for twelfth.

Derek Swartfager also put in a good effort as he also came up from the back to finish in eight place in the first moto. Swartfager was looking strong in moto two as well, but a crash late in the moto took him out of contention and give him 13th overall.

Can-Am/Motoworks’ Jeremie Warnia came out for this round and took the ATVRiders.com fastest qualifier award. The WORCS series pro points leader was looking great off the start as he was in the top five and charging hard, but a mechanical issue would end things early for the Frenchman. Warnia came back strong after a slow start in moto two and charged up to finish in seventh place, giving him 14th overall. “I had to work hard out there and I had some bad luck in the first moto, but I am happy to be here today,” said Warnia.

Moto-Xperts’ Casey Martin and Aaron Meyer made their pro debut at this round. Aaron Meyer was looking great off the start in the first moto in the number four spot off the line, but dropped back to finish just outside the top ten in the number 11 spot. For the second moto, Meyer claimed a 16th place finish, putting him in 15th overall. Casey Martin didn’t have such good luck in the first moto as he crashed off the start and fell to the back, but was able to remount a slight charge to make his way into the number 14 spot before reaching the checkered flag. Martin did not run the second moto.

American Honda’s Joe Byrd was back from injury and was in mid-pack off the start. Byrd was working his way up, but a mechanical issue threw a wrench in his plans for the podium when too much mud and water took their toll causing his engine to sputter and cut out. Byrd was in mid-pack off the start in the second moto and was battling it out with John Natalie, but in the heat of the battle, the pair would connect, causing a flat tire for Byrd. He then settled into ninth as he crossed the finish line.

Alex Trompen gave the pro class a shot and went 15-17 for 17th overall while Jonathon Ven John just couldn’t catch a break this weekend and would end his day with 18-19 finishes.

Round number nine of the 2011 AMA ATV Motocross Championships will head to New Berlin, NY on July 16th – 17th where Unadilla will be the hosting facility as Josh Upperman goes for another victory and tries to take the points lead away from John Natalie.

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