OFF-ROAD
FMF AMA NATIONAL GRAND PRIX CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 8 / DECEMBER 14-15, 2019
CRAZY HORSE CAMPGROUND / L AKE HAVASU, ARIZONA
P78
I've done any off-road racing; I've been
racing moto and supercross for about that
long. It's quite different than I remember,
and it's been a little bit of a learning curve
the last few races I've done. To end the
year with a podium is pretty awesome. I'm
coming off some pretty big injuries—a femur
"At this track it's kind of hard to just
sprint," he said. "After riding yesterday's
practice, it's so tight so it was more just
trying to find a flow and try not to pump up
too bad. The amateur guys out there [in the
earlier races] made some different lines
so it was hard to get adapted to it. Once I
got away, I basically just rode my
own race. I had a lot of fun; I love
when the track gets rough just to
test myself and the bike and how I'm
feeling. The back's coming along
and just everything.
"Other than missing two rounds
this year, every [NGPC round] I en-
tered I won, so that's a good feeling
to know that I'm a competitor here
and I can go pretty fast. I like these
tracks a lot! I'm really excited to do
the full series next year."
Sixth at round seven in his NGPC
debut, Martinez proved he could
also be a contender next year. The
Family and Friends/AHM Factory
Services/Leatt CRF450R-mounted
rider said of his first NGPC podium
ride, "It's been about 10 years since
(Left) Needing a fifth
or better to clinch his
second championship in
a row, Trevor Stewart's
third place was more
than enough, and he
celebrated with (from left)
his father, Brad, mechanic
Gage Day, and team
owner Johnny Campbell.
(Right) New SLR Honda
recruit Cole Martinez
earned a podium spot
after finishing second in
only his second NGPC
race, the pro motocrosser
readjusting to off-road
racing after some 10
years away.
