ATV Pro Challenge Motocross
in Memory of Caleb Moore
Oak Hill MX
October 10, 2015
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Thomas Brown Takes ATV
Pro Challenge Motocross Win
John Natalie Jr &
Jeffrey Rastrelli Round Out Pro ATV MX Podium
2015
ATV Pro Challenge MX
in Memory of Caleb Moore
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Decatur, TX (10/11/2015) –
Thomas Brown likes to say that Caleb Moore watches
over all ATV motocross racers as they take to
the track. That statement held true Saturday as
Brown won the Third Annual ATV Pro Challenge in
Memory of Caleb Moore at Oak Hill Raceway. John
Natalie, Jr. was second, ahead of Jeffrey Rastrelli.
Pro Motocross Rookie of the Year Nick Gennusa
finished fourth, while Sam Rowe made his pro debut
with a fifth-place finish.
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2015
ATV Pro Challenge Motocross Podium (left
to right)
John Natalie
Jr (2nd), Thomas
Brown
(1st), Jeffrey
Rastrelli (3rd) |
With more than $35,000 in purse money, including
over $5,000 for the winner, nearly 200 racers,
including 17 pros came here to compete. The Pro
race was run with a two-heat qualifying format,
followed by a single-moto main.
Thomas took the lead from holeshot winner Johnny
Hale in the third corner and was never seriously
challenged from there. This marked Thomas’ third
start and his first victory in the event.
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Johnny
Hale grabbed the Holeshot followed by Thomas
Brown |
“We went 31 style as Michelle Moore would say,”
said Thomas. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve wanted
to win this race. The first year, I came out swinging
and came up short. Last year, I thought I had
it in the bag and I let it slip away from me.
This year, I put in the work and worked out. The
Maxxis Yamaha worked out great.
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Thomas
Brown quickly took over the lead in the
first lap |
“The start was wild,” explained Thomas. “I had
a late reaction, and I was mid pack coming into
the corner. I chose an inside gate and I was running
fifth or sixth on the inside. Someone got into
the back of Natalie, I got right behind Johnny
and we went through the first corner first and
second. In the second corner I caught him on the
inside and it was a drag race down the straightaway.
I got the lead in the third corner and it was
hammer down from there. I knew there were some
fast guys here, so I ran hard for the first couple
of laps. Then I just settled into a pace, ran
smooth and ran my own race.”
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Thomas
Brown held on to claim his first win in
three tries for a 31 combo |
Michelle Moore gave Thomas a keepsake to wear
during the race: a necklace bearing Caleb Moore’s
fingerprint.
“Michelle let me borrow Caleb’s fingerprint for
the day and, you know what, it worked,” said Thomas.
“He was watching over me today. I am really stoked
to win this race in Caleb’s honor. He watches
over all of us at each and every event we race.”
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