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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127842
MOTOCROSS MfA 1S25Occ NA'IDW. CHAIIPrONSIF IIOTOCROSS SERIES Raceway year-long slump in a big way Sunday. Not only did Bradshaw record the first major U.S. win for the '97 Honda CR250, but 125cc factory pilot Scott Sheak won the first 125cc National of his career with a perfect 1-1 score. Honda of Troy's Stephane Roncada was a career-best second overall with a 3-2 tally, while Suzuki's Tim Ferry was third with a steady 25 showing. "My pit board said 'Mud Monster' today, because that's what I was trying to be," said a pleased Sheak later. "My team has been trying so hard to support (Left) Two years atler coming out of retirement, Damon Bradshaw captured his first major victory, at the rain-soaked High Point National in Pennsylvania. Ironically, his last victory came at High Point in 1993, and he also made his comeback debut at the same venue in 1995. (Below) Scott Sheak gave Team Honda its first win of the year atler topping both 125cc motos. By Davey Coombs Photos by Karl Ockert MOUNT MORRIS, PA, MAY 5 his one 15 going down in the historybooks. Exactly two years after his return to racing and four years after his last major win, Damon Bradshaw finally got back into the winner's circle with a last-lap pass on Larry Ward to win the 1997 High Point 250cc National in front of a capacity partisan crowd. The "Beast from the East" skippered his Paul Delieurer-prepped, Manchester Honda Racing/AXO/GT/Scott-backed Honda CR250 through axle-deep ruts and seatdeep water to win one of the muddiest outdoor Nationals ever, with a 3-1 tally. "It's all. been worth it, every damn minute of it!" shouted Bradshaw, as a horde of drenched fans swarmed the winner's circle. '1 never stopped believing in myself and my team, and my fans never stopped believing in me," Bradshaw said. '1 thought the greatest win of my career was when 1 won my first supercross in Charlotte in front of my hometown crowd, but this one feels far better. I can't even begin to tell you how good this feels." T 14 Bradshaw's startling midair pass on Team Honda of Troy's Larry Ward capped a race-long pUISuit of his fellow Honda rider, and gave him the overall win against the 1-3 of Kawasaki's rejuvenated Ryan Hughes. Bradshaw took the checkered flag with a no-hander, and then embarked on a 1D-minute-long victory lap (despite the drizzling rain) that had the fans coming over the fences and saw Bradshaw throw off his helmet, jersey and gloves in celebraHon. "1 get to nae in the mud about once or twice a year, it seems, so I'm pretty thrilled to have at least won a moto," said Hughes, who would have scored the overall win if not for Bradshaw's last-lap heroics. 'Tve been waiting to get a win all year, even a moto win, bu t 1 really didn't expect it to happen at a race like this." '1 think 1 rode well, but 1 didn't really ride my best," said third-place overall finisher John Dowd, who should be remembered one day as one of the greatest mud riders the sport has ever knOWIL '1 wasn't getting the best starts, and that makes a lot of difference in a race like this. I'll still take third, but 1 know 1probably could have won with a few breaks." The Honda marque broke out of its me and it feels so good to finally get a win for them. It's been a long, hard year so far, but they've always been there to support me and encourage me to keep trying. My whole family is here to watch today and I just couldn't be happier." Bradshaw's.win did little to shake up the top of the 250cc point chart, as . Kawasaki's Jeff Emig, fifth on the day, maintains a massive lead over Suzuki's Jeremy McGrath (seventh overall). Emig has 178 points to McGrath's 140. Dowd is next with 132, followed by Ward (125) and Bradshaw (120). In the 125cc rariking, Sheak made a huge move on the heretofore unbeatable Ricky Carmichael, who saw his threerace winning streak washed out on the start of each moto. Carmichael struggled to 13th overall with an 18-11 score, and saw his points lead on Sheak get slashed from 38 to two, but Carmichael was already looking forward to rebounding big at the next round. '1t's all about the start in a mud race, and I went down both times," explained