Moto XXX Motocross Round 8 Race Report: Washougal, Washington
For the third weekend in a row the Moto XXX race team was at the track battling for the position of top privateer. This past weekend the heavily wooded hillside of the Cascade Mountain range was the site of round eight of the AMA Motocross Championship. Washougal Motocross Park in beautiful Washougal, Washington is probably the most deceiving track on the circuit. What looks like loamy dirt filled with tons of traction is actually extremely slick, tough to ride terrain that requires some very impressive throttle control.
Unbound Energy was the title sponsor for this year's national and on Saturday afternoon Moto XXX riders Josh Summey and Kyle Lewis got right to business. When the sessions were complete both Josh (7th) and Kyle (9th) sat inside the top 10 and were focused on putting together two solid motos. Sunday morning practice/qualifying saw Josh Summey leading the way with 11th fastest lap time. Kyle Lewis was not far behind in 14th and they would head to the line in that order. For the motocross class' first moto, Josh Summey headed toward the inside on the start line while Kyle Lewis had a more outside gate choice. Both riders got out of the gate well but half way down the start straight disaster struck. Another rider lined up on the inside of Josh clipped a hay bale causing a disastrous pile-up that collect Summey. Josh went over the bars and his bike went flipping down the straightaway as the pack rounded the first turn. Fortunately, Josh was able to get to his feet and get going again, albeit with a very substantial deficit.
Kyle Lewis' outside gate choice ended up being the safe bet as the veteran rider was able to avoid the carnage and exit turn one in good position. When the riders completed their first lap around the slick track Lewis was sitting in the 10th position. Josh Summey, still trying to get his focus back would complete the first lap in 37th position and would have his work cut out for him. On lap five, Kyle Lewis started a battle with a factory Suzuki rider that would last the next few laps. Eventually the Suzuki rider would get passed Lewis and take over the 10th position. But Kyle put his head down and stayed close all the way to the end earning 11th place. Josh Summey, after working his way up to 27th at the half way point, charged all the way to the checkered flag and would be credited with 20th position.
Lady Luck would again be against Josh Summey on the start of motocross class moto two. Heading down the start straight, series points leader James Stewart went down collecting Josh on his way. Josh was able to get going quickly but again had his work cut out for him. On the other hand, Kyle "Lucky" Lewis nabbed another solid start, this time coming around in third place! Lewis went wide-open up "Horsepower Hill" with his sights set on strong second moto. Summey, after completing the first lap in 30th place, got on it and tried his best to catch up to his teammate. On lap six Lewis sat in eighth place while Summey had worked up to 25th. Josh kept passing riders left and right and after lap nine moved into 19th. Up front, Lewis was holding down the eighth spot comfortably. With the moto coming to an end, Summey continued to charge and eventually crossed the line in 14th place. Good enough for 16th overall. Lewis would put together his best moto finish this season with a strong eighth place in the moto. Combined with his solid first moto performance, Lewis ended the day in ninth overall.
In other Moto XXX team news, Yoshihide Fukudome has been cleared by the team's doctors and will be back competing in two weeks time. The team is excited to have "Dome" back in action and he his excited to try and improve on his success thus far in the USA. The series takes next weekend off before heading back East to Millville, Minnesota and the Spring Creek Motocross Park for round nine of the AMA Motocross Championship. See you there!
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