After five days of racing and 99 motos, champions were crowned at the 29th Annual AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. In addition to the usual high temperatures - and one early morning rain delay - this year's event was highlighted by several surprises when it came down to Saturday's final motos.
One of the most impressive performances of the week came from 17-year-old Jason Anderson (#82), who came from dead last in the final 450 A moto to claim the class title. The Monster Energy Team Green Kawasaki rider came into the race with a 1-1 score, having won both of his first two motos, however, three crashes on the opening lap of the third and deciding moto left Anderson in last place with just four laps to go. In the end, the New Mexico rider was able to fight his way up to fifth place, just enough to secure the class title. At the end of the day, Anderson was given the AMA Horizon Award based on his performance.
Jason Anderson was also a heavy favorite to win the 250 A Pro Sport class, and like he did in the 450 class, Anderson came into the final race with a 1-1 score. However, a DNF in the final moto due to a mechanical failure opened the door for fellow Kawasaki rider Zack Freeberg to steal the 450 A title with 4-5-1 moto scores. Suzuki rider Ian Trettel finished second overall with a 5-3-3 score, while Honda-mounted Gavin Faith was third via 2-4-12 finishes.
Justin Bogle, another Monster Energy Team Green Kawasaki rider, was the only rider all week to go undefeated. The Oklahoman did the deed in the 250 B Modified and 450 B Stock classes. At the end of a tough week of racing, Bogle won all six of his motos, beating out Honda's Kyle Peters to win the 250 title, and Yamaha rider Austin Politelli to win the 450 title.
After crashing away the Supermini 2 class title earlier in the day, Honda's Cooper Webb came back strong to win the final moto of the Supermini 1 (12-15) division, staving off intense pressure from Suzuki rider Dakota Alix. Webb landed on a lapped rider while leading the Supermini 2 finale, but kept it on two wheels in the Supermini 1 final to beat Alix to the line and claim the championship.
Training with former Women's champ Jessica Patterson has paid off for Amanda Mahue (# 51), who turned in an impressive performance to win the Girls Championship at Loretta Lynn's. Mahue won every moto for the championship last year, and repeated this year after a strong challenge from Brandy Richards and Christina Older. Mahue won't turn 16 until next year, so she could go for the three-peat in this class next year, but she might move to the big bikes and race the Women's class. Either way, she's going to be good.
Despite losing his header pipe with four laps to go in the final moto of the Schoolboy 2 class, Joey Savatgy held on to finish second behind fellow Suzuki rider Jeremy Martin. The finish was good enough, however, to give Savatgy the Schoolboy 2 class title. The Georgia rider has been impressive enough this year to win him a
sponsorship deal from Rockstar Makita Suzuki.
In other action, Gannon Audette continued his impressive riding with a 1-1-1 sweep in the 450 A Pro Sport class to claim the class title. In 250 B Stock, Kawasaki's Brad Frace was Mr. Consistent, taking 2-2-2 moto finishes to claim the championship. Yamaha grabbed a pair of titles, first with Alexah Pearson in the women's class, and then the legend of Kevin Walker continued in Senior 40 Plus. Walker outdueled Doug Dubach and Mike Treadwell to get the win, breaking his own all-time title record at the ranch with his 14th number-one plate.