Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

AMA Victory Sports Indoor Motocross Winter Series ~, Rounds 5 and 6: WNC Agricultural Center o Paul Justus (439) and Jim Neese (86) topped the Pro classes at rounds five and six of the AMA Victory Sports Indoor Motocross Winter Series, held at the WNC Agricultural Center In Asheville, North Carolina. Bv BARBARA WIWAMS PHOTO BV LOREN WIWAMS ASHEVILLE, NC, JAN. 14-15 l:J t was cold and windy in the mounWtains of western North Carolina, but local hotshoe Paul Justus and Greensboro, North Carolina's Jim Neese brought the heat to Asheville's WNC Agricultural Center arena. Justus was hot on Friday night, unbeatable in 125cc A and 250cc A competition; Neese carried the Pro-class fire on Saturday night and turned out to be the big winner of the weekend, with two victories and two runner-up placings for a total of $1200 in Victory Sports Pro purse. The racing action lived up to the crowd's expectations in every way. On Friday, Hans Neel pushed his Jim's Honda/Pro-Action/Viers Tires CR125 out in front of the 125cc A pack in the qualifier, and led every one of the six laps, despite intense pressure from Dal-Kawa's Paul Justus and Suzuki of Winston-Salem's Todd Bennick. The start of the 125cc A main was just a continuation of the battle between Neel and Justus. Neel pulled the holeshot, with Justus covering him. Brian Lane gated third. Bennick got tangled in a first-tum pileup and spent almost the whole first lap separating his Suzuki from Nicholas Bums' Honda. Justus took Neel's measure for the first few laps, and then made his move on lap four of the 14-lap contest. From then on, the race belonged to Justus, blazing away in front as if he were alone on the track. Neese recovered from an "oh well" start and caught up with the lead pair by using lapped traffic to pass rider after rider. For a couple of laps, the Triad Powersports/Protel/Ballzee warrior 30 FEBRUARY 2, 2000' cue cruised along in third. Then, at halfway, Neel completely lost his rhythm in the whoops and went down, handing second to Neese. But Justus was having too good a ride to be passed, and Neese settled for a solid runner-up finish. Except for one lap, when Wisconsin's Kurt Jennison slipped past, Lane rode a consistent third. Jennison and Brian Raymond filled out the top five. Justus absconded with the holeshot and led every lap of the 250cc A qualifier, keeping Neese, Lane, Bennick and Ben Rutledge at bay. Jennison gated decently but ran into trouble late in the six-lap dash and finished out of the top five. The 250cc A main-event holeshot belonged to Justus. Bennick, Neese, Neel, Jennison, Rutledge and Lane were close behind the Dal-Kawa rider. Bennick muscled into the front early and tried to stretch out a lead. Neese stepped up to third, pressuring Justus until, on lap six of 14, Neese put Justus behind him to take over second. Both Bennick and Neese went for the tightest inside line in the turn before the finishline tabletop. Both Bennick and Neese went down when they made contact. Justus went wide to avoid the tangle and reassumed the lead. However, he couldn't let down his guard, as Bennick quickly remounted, losing only one position. Justus remained in front until the checkers, while Bennick tried to force a mistake. Neese clawed his way back to displace Bennick, finishing second after I e n • _ s rejoining the race in sixth. Bennick finished third, followed by Jennison and Rutledge. On Saturday, Jennison grabbed the 125cc A qualifier holeshot and held off Neese until a lap and a half (of six) remained. Jeremiah Kirkland, Chuck Shirley of Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Brian Raymond completed the top five. Justus got a rotten start and finished "somewhere back there." Casey Barnes got the drop on everyone in the 125cc A main e~ent aboard his Suzuki of Gastonia ride. However, Justus launched his RM through the whoops and past Barnes to lead the first 10 laps. Neese seemed to be unable to buy a start on his YZ125, but he came up through the ranks from fifth, finally sacking Justus in a comer with four laps to go. The leaders were well into lapped traffic by then, and Justus did not have enough clear track to mount enough of a charge to take back the front. Jennison remained strong in third, holding back Kirkland, Shirley, Barnes and Lane. Justus again commanded the 250cc A qualifier holeshot, but his advantage evaporated in the second turn under the scorching heat of Neese's YZ250. Troy Crisp came alive in this qualifier, finishing a fast third, ahead of Burns and Rutledge. Rutledge headed the field on the 250cc A main start aboard his AI Lane Yamaha. Neese was on the gas, though, and took over early on the first lap and led every one of the 14 circuits of the main for a well-deserved win. Rutledge diced with Jennison and his teammate Lane for the whole race in a hot Iittle knot of YZs that were arguing over second. With two laps to go, Lane rocketed past Rutledge. In the last few turns, Lane also disposed of Jennison, finishing runner-up to Neese in a blazing performance. Jennison and Rutledge came across the line in third and fourth. CN WNC Agricultural Cenll!r Asheville, North Carolina Results: January 14-15, 20BB (Rounds 5 and II Friday 50 (4-6): 1. William Mack Dickson (Cob); 2. Dakota Mathews (Cob); 3. Michael HlIlI (Cob): 4. Trevor Barrett (Cob); 5. Chris Goodman (Cob). 50 (7-8): 1. Bradley Bunch (Cob): 2. Tyler Bowman (Pol); 3. Seth Caldwell (KTM); 4. Tres Waldroop (Cob): 5. Oaron Barbour (Cob). 50 SHAfT: 1. Chelsea McSwain (Cob); 2. Trevor Barrett (Yam); 3. Michael Hall (Yam); 4. Tyler McSwain (Yam): 5. Chris Goodman (Yam). 65 (7-9): 1. R. Cameron Stone (Kaw); 2. Bredley Bunch (Kaw); 3. Preston Lemka (Kaw); 4. Seth Caldwell (KTM); 5. Tanner Wilson (Kew). 65 (10-11): I. Zach Osborne (KTM); 2. Dustin Rowe (KTM); 3. Mason Caldwell (KTM); 4. Matthew Mashburn (Kaw); 5. Jeremy Masen (KTM). 80 0: 1. Tyler Seay (Yam); 2. Sam Howell (Kaw); 3. Jay Coker (Kaw); 4. Mathew Welborn (Suz): 5. Ryan Donnelly (Kaw). JR MINI: 1. Zach Osbome (KTM); 2. Dustin Rowe (KTM); 3. R. Cameron Stone (Kaw); 4. Mason Cllidwell (KTM); 5. Christopher Beeler (Yam). 85 (12-13): 1. Jared Tuten (Kaw); 2. Hllrris Altman (Kaw); 3. Dustin Smith (Kaw); 4. Jake Posey (Yam); 5. Matthew Williams (Han). 85 (14-15): 1. William Browning II (SUl): 2. Douglas Thomason (Kaw); 3. Jonathan Williams (Kaw); 4. Chase Rice (Yam); 5. Jay Coker (Kaw). S/M.lNI: 1. William Browning II (Suz); 2. Douglas Thomason (Kaw): 3. Harris Altman (Kaw): 4. Corey Richey (Hon); 5. Jonathan Williams (Kaw). 125 A: 1. Paul Justus (SUl); 2. Jim Neese (Yam); 3. Brian Lane (Yam): 4. Kurt Jennison (Yllm); 5. Brian Raymond (Suz). 125 B: 1. Danny Smith (Han); 2. Dwane Mitchell (Yam); 3. Josh Martin (Yam); 4. Donnie Adams (Kaw): 5. Kyle Justice (Kaw). ]25 C: 1. Marty Smith (Kaw): 2. Chllse Whitten (Kaw); 3. Freddy Rowe (Yam); 4. Alex Gaines (KTM); 5. Kyle Paxton (Hon). 125 0: 1. Kevin Wilson (Yam); 2. Jeremy McElrath: 3. Neil Martin (Kaw): 4. Joel Smith (Suz): 5. Jeffrey Doyle (Hon). 250 A: 1. Paul Justus (SUl): 2. Jim Neese (Yam); 3. Todd Bennick (Suz); 4. Kurt Jennison (Yam); 5. Benjamin Rutledge (Yam). 250 B: 1. Bradley Robertson (Yam); 2. Joshe Clark (Hon); 3. Kyle Justice (Kaw); 4. Keith Grllham (Kaw). 250 c: 1. Jesse Baker (Suz); 2. Michael Clampitt (Suz); 3. Jeremy Davis (Kaw); 4. Kyle Henson (Suz); 5. Jeff Durham (Yam). 250 D: I. Jonathan Bolton (Yam); 2. Jeffrey Doyle (Hon); 3. Carl Grizzle (Yam); 4. Shllne Galloway (Kaw): 5. Robert Lott Jr. (Kaw). 25+: 1. Jeff Tomlinson (Yam); 2. Scott Hinesley (Hon); 3. Edward Johnson (Hon): 4. Jeff Durh~m (Yam); 5. Shane Galloway (Kaw). 30+: 1. Richard Bellora (Kaw); 2. JeH Elkins (Kaw): 3. Scott Campbell (Kaw): 4. Daniel Bell (Suz): 5. Jeff Tomlinson (Yam). (Ill AM: 1. Danny Smith (Hon); 2. DWlllne Mitchell (Yam); 3. Joshe Clark (Hon); 4. Donnie Adams (Kaw): 5. T.J. Fairbanks (Suz). U/l CID: I. Marty Smith (Kaw): 2. Freddy Rowe (Yam); 3. Alex Gaines (KTM); 4. Jesse Baker (SUl); 5. T.J. Ford (Vam). Saturday 50 (4-6): I. Dakota Mathews (Cob); 2. William Mack Dickson (Cob); 3. Trevor Barrett (Cob); 4. Michael Hall (Vam): 5. Chris Goodman (Cob). 50 (7.8): I. Bradley Bunch (Cob): 2. Colton Renaker (Cob); 3. Tres Waldroop (Cob); 4. Tyler Bowman (Pol); 5. Daron Barbour (Cob). 50 SHAFT: 1. Trevor Barrett (Yllm); 2. Tyler McSwain (Yam); 3. Chelsea McSwain (Yam); 4. Andrew Langworth (Yam); 5. William Mack Dickson (Vam). 65 (7-9): 1. R. Cameron Stone (Kaw); 2. Benjamin Denton (KTM); 3. Bradley Bunch (Kaw); 4. Tyler Bartram (Kaw); 5. Preston lemka (Kew). 65 (10-11): 1. Dustin Rowe (KTM); 2. Matthew Mashburn (Kaw); 3. Jeremy Masen (KTM); 4. Michael Morrow (Kaw); 5. R. Stephen Gray (Kaw). 80 D: 1. Sam Howell (Kaw); 2. Jeffrey Coates (Yam); 3. Ryan Donnelly (Kaw): 4. Mathew Welborn (Suz); 5. Brandon Maxwell (Yam). 80 0 EXTRA: 1. Trllvis Bond (Yam); 2. Robert Hall (Han); 3. Christopher Beeler (Yam); 4. Jackson Ingram (Kaw); 5, John Patterson (Kaw), JR MINI: I. Dustin Rowe (KTM); 2. Benjamin Denton (KTM); 3. Kyle Perry (Kaw); 4. Grant Caison (Kaw); 5. R. Cameron Stone (Kaw). 85 (12·13): 1. Chris Osborne (Suz); 2. H&rris Altman (Kaw); 3. Brandon Belcher (SUl); 4. Jake Posey (Yam); 5. Matthew Williams (Hon). 85 (14-15): 1. William Browning II (Suz); 2. Douglas Thomason (Kaw); 3. Jonathan Williams (Kaw): 4. Robert Hall (Hon); 5. Brandon Maxwell (Vam). 8/M-INI: 1. Willillm Browning II (Suz); 2. Douglas Thomason (Kaw); 3. Chris Osborne (Suz); 4. Harris Altman (Kaw); 5. Dustin Smith (Kaw). 125 A: I. Jim Neese (Yam); 2. Paul Justus (Suz); 3. Kurt Jennison (Yam); 4. Jeremiah Kirkland (Vam): 5. Chuck Shirley (Vam). 125 B: 1. Danny Smith (Hon); 2. Donnie Adams (Kaw); 3. Dwane Mitchell (Yam); 4. Bradley Robertson (Vam): 5. J.T. Smith (Hon). t 25 C: 1. Marty Smith (Kaw); 2. Alex Gaines (KTM); 3. Freddy Rowe (Yam); 4. Jason Tucker (Suz); 5. Travis Walker (Yam). t 25 0: J. Jeremy McElrath (Cl); 2. Corey Richey (Hon); 3. Josh Teague (Hon); 4. Jeffrey Doyle (Hon); 5. Donnie Howard (Yam). 125 DEXTRA: 1. Dustin Ledford (Vam): 2. Kevin Wilson (Yam); 3. Joe Lemmons (KTM); 4. Robert Ardry (Suz): 5. Dustin Stephens (Hon). 250 A: t. Jim Neese (Yam); 2. Brian LllOe (Yam); 3. Kurt Jennison (Yam); 4. Benjamin Rutledge (Yam): 5. Paul Justus (Suz). 250 B: 1. Bradley Robertson (Y-am): 2. Joshe Clark (Han); 3. Kyle Justice (Kaw;) 4. Keith Graham (Kaw); 5. Aaron Ellenburg (Suz). 250 C: 1. Michael Clampitt (Suz); 2. Kyle Henson (Suz); 3. Jesse Baker (Suz); 4. Jeremy Saunders (Yam); 5. Jeremy Davis (Kaw). 2500: 1. Carl Grizzle (Yam): 2. Dustin Stephens (Hon); 3. Jeffrey Doyle (Hon): 4. Brad Clark (Suz): 5. Jim McGlynn (Hon). 25+: 1. Richard Bellora (Kaw): 2. Rodney Wise (Suz); 3. Jeff Durham (Yam); 4, Edward Johnson (Hon): 5. Dwayne Hill (Suz). 30+: 1. Jimmy Pitcock (Suz): 2. Edward Johnson (Hon): 3. Jeff Elkins (Kaw): 4. Dwayne Hili (Suz): 5. Daniel Bell (Suz). all AM: 1. Danny Smith (Hon); 2. Joshe Clark (Han); 3. Dwane Mitchell (Yam); 4. Donnie Adams (Kaw): 5. J.T. Smith (Hon). U/l C/D: I. Marty Smith (Kaw): 2. Jerred Burrell (Mac): 3. Freddy Rowe (Vam): 4. T.J. Ford (Vam): 5. Jeremy Davis (Kaw)

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