Moto XXX Motocross Round 7 Race Report: Lakewood, Colorado
As the second half of the AMA Motocross Championship kicked off a mile above Denver, Colorado, Josh Summey put his Honda 450 in high gear and nabbed his best finish thus far in 2007.
While the Thunder valley Motocross track has only been on the AMA schedule for three short years, it is quickly becoming one the top nationals on the circuit. This year was no exception as fans were treated so some amazing battles and great weather. With the elevation of the Thunder valley track being so high, the teams and riders must prepare quite differently than they would for a normal race. Gas mixtures and jetting changes are two crucial elements to achieving success in Lakewood. Fortunately, team Moto XXX stepped up and had the bikes running in prime condition all weekend long.
Knowing the high temperatures and elevation were going to play a major role in the outcome of Sunday's motos, team riders Josh Summey and Kyle Lewis focused on bike set-up and getting comfortable with the track rather than laying down top lap times. Still, Lewis was able to net 14th fastest time while Summey landed in the 25th position.
Sunday brought more warm weather and as the Motocross class' first moto headed to the line the mercury was well above 90 degrees. Josh Summey lined up in the 12th position and headed to the middle of the start line as Kyle Lewis chose the inside line. When the gate dropped both riders reacted well and headed up the loamy start straight. As the pack began to make the tight right hand turn at the top of the hill, both riders were in good position with Lewis leading way in 10th. Summey was still in decent position and would complete lap one in 15th place. Unfortunately, Lewis went off of the track on the first lap and crossed the line in 25th. Over the next few laps Summey would weave his way through factory stars on his way to 10th position on lap five. When the half way mark came out Summey had moved up another position to ninth and Lewis had worked his way to 22nd. On lap 11, Summey again put on a charge and bumped himself up into seventh place. As the last few laps of moto one ticked off, Josh Summey held on to seventh place to match his best ever moto finish. After a hard ride, Kyle Lewis would cross the line in 19th. Just passed the hottest part of the day, the Motocross class lined up for their second moto. Once again, Josh Summey headed toward the middle of the line with Kyle Lewis guarding the inside. This time Summey nabbed the better start, put in a strong lap and would be marked in ninth place the first time around. "Lucky" didn't get the best jump off the line and would complete lap one in 28th. Both riders rode well and half way through Summey was still holding onto ninth with Lewis working his way up 22nd and still on the move. As the final moto of the day began to run out riders' fitness would start coming into play. On lap 12, Summey put his head down and flew by a couple of factory riders on his way to seventh place at the moto's end. Lewis never gave up, charged to the end and would find himself in 16th place at the checkered flag. Lewis would end the day 18th overall after two impressive come-from-behind rides. Josh Summey rode extremely fast and consistent garnering two seventh place finishes good for seventh overall. This matches Josh's best overall finish in the premier Motocross class.
Next weekend the beautiful landscape of Washougal, Washington hosts round eight of the AMA Motocross Championship. Carved through the trees of the Cascade Mountains, Washougal Motocross Park is the most picturesque track on the schedule and an event every fan should attend. See you there!
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