Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126974
Johnson (2) leads Ron Lechien (9 ) in the first-500cc moto. Lech ien finished runner-up to Johnson in the moto but crashed in the second . . Erik Kehoe collected his f irst overall victory of the season with 5-1 moto finishes. He's now fifth in the po int standings. George Holland, who are now tied for second in the series. Sugartree once again proved itself to be one of the premier MX facilities in the nation. Track owner David Bailey helped co-promote the , race with his father, Gary Bailey, and in every category the track rated number one. A new plateau jump was added on the back lake-front straight, and all double jumps were angled to offer competitive terrain with a safety factor . A new watering system was installed, which helped create an optimum loamy base for racing. Along with the assistance of the Axton Fire Department (they watered all access roads), dust was kept at a minimum. Hot, sunny weather in the 90s made for demanding riding condi tions, where stamina and the conservation of energy were the big factors. Johnson won $1000 from the 500cc purse, which totaled $14,668. Sunton , with his 3-2 finishes, won $856. .~ $7332 purse was posted for the 125cc National, and Kehoe took home $368 for the overall, with Cooper claiming $355 for his runnerup honors. 500cc National The Kawasaki sq uad could have been chris tened " Team Wa lking Wounded," goi ng into the Axton Na tional. Both Ward and Lechien were on the mend from crashes at the Michigan National last weekend. "I've got qui te a combination going," said Ward. "If I sit my tai lbone h urts and my ribs are okay, and if I stand, my tai lbone is okay and my ribs ache." "My (right) shoulder is so-so, but I'll be out there racing," said Lechien. "I have to try to go fast, but to take it as easy as I can while I'm doing it." Lechien's troubles started early in the day. He went to the line with "Bonehead" on the back of his riding pants for his 500cc qualifier. The nickname seemed applicable, as Ronnie crashed hard end-over-end while enjoying a half lap lead in the race. "I fell on my shoulder rea lly 'hard and rebruised it in the same spot as before," said Lechien as he headed to the Iine for the consi qualifier this time he posted the win to grid for the National. A ligh t rain was falling at the start of the first 500cc moto, but was soon displaced by sunshine. Ward took the holeshot ahead of H i-Point/ Yamaha rider Stanton and Johnson. Honda rider Jeff Hicks, Brian Manley on a Yamaha and Lechien were running , fourth through sixth. By lap two, Johnson was out front showing lines to Stanton, while Ward and Lechien were arguing over third. Manley and Kawasaki rider Mike Fisher were now 5-6, wi th Kawasaki rider Tommy Watts and Yamaha pi lot P hil Larson 7-8. Ward's position didn't hold for long; he fell while setting up for a downhill tum, and had a hard time trying to pick up his big KX. After a moment to think it over, he coasted towards the pits, deciding to save himself the risk of further injury. Lechien was looking for redemption, and he go t it by blasti ng past Stanton and cra wl ing up o n J oh nson's rear wheel. Lechien made a pass stick, but J oh nso n used an inside line on the back section to lead. When Johnson bo bbled on the finish line turn, Lechien wound up his Kawasaki and launched by on the outside. It was consistency that finally won the battle - Johnson kept applying steady pressure, and Johnson sprays Yamaha's Jeff Stanton in the w inner's circle. Stanton finished second overall, via a 3-2 tally; he's second in points. finally passed to lead for good. Lechien stayed within sight of Johnson to the finish in the 30minute-plus-two-lap moto. Stanton was a distant third, followed by Fisher, who had passed Watts and closed within striking distance. Manley was sixth, and Jimmy Holley throttled his Yamaha to seventh. Honda rider Ray Sornrno, 'Dennis Hawthorne on a Kawasaki and Honda privateer Tom Carson rounded out the top 10. "I don't know if I wore too thick of a jersey, but I was getting zero air," said Johnson as he iced down after the race. " It was hot, and you had to think abou t what you were doing." It was Stanton forging a path for Johnson, Haw thorne, Manley, Fisher, Carson and Honda-mounted Keith Watson at the start of moto two. Lechien, Watts, and a number of o ther riders were left face-down in the first turn. Lechien strapped on some fresh goggles and started a lap down, but soon dropped out of the race. On lap two, Johnson led Stanton, and both Manley and Fisher had snuck by Hawthorne. Carson was sixth, followed by Doug Dubach on a Yamaha and Kurt McMillen on a Honda. Stanton wanted one more shot at Johnson and took it to lead, but Johnson went outside in the rough stuff to repass. After that, Johnson showed why he has three outdoor National Championships to his credit - he rode hard and fast lap after lap to win. Johnson, Stanton, Manley and Fisher ran 1-4 most of the moto. Carson kept pushing and got by Hawthorne to post a close fifth, and Holley followed through for sixth. Hawthorne, H icks, Honda-mounted Andy Stacy and McMillen completed the top 10. "Ward and Lechien are tough competitors, but it's (David) Bailey that 1 rea lly miss," said Johnson when asked about his lead in the points chase. " Davi d gave me someone to get mad at all week, someone to aim for at the next race. Now Jeff (Stanton) is young and fresh, and hungry to win. He'll be there if I fall off the pace for a second." "This is my first year on the Pro circuit, and it's hard to keep the pace," said Stanton. "I was fast for a few laps, but Johnson can hold it 'o n all the time. I snuck by Rick y and tried to stay calm, but that's not so 9