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/128323
Moto XXX's Damon Huffman had a big nightin Las Vegas. Not onlydid Huffman pocket an extra $1000 for winningthe Butterfinger Holeshot Award, but he alsoearned the honor of being this year's top privateer in the THQAMA Supercross Series. For that, Huffmanalso banked $25,000 from the United StatesSmokeless TobaccoCompany and received a 26-foot Weekend Warrior trailer and a Nissen Titan truck to pullit. The trailer and truck were presented to him on the infield during an intermission. Huffman, who finished out the AMA Series ineighth place, also finished out the THQ World Supercross GP Series insecond place. Huffmanwillspend most of the summer in Canada competing in that country's National MXSeries. Team Suzuki's Travis Pastrana showed up for the Las VegasSupereross and put up a good race againstKevin Windham in the first 250cc semi. After qualifying second, Pastrana announced shortly thereafter that he would not suit up for the evening's final. "Iwas a little optimisticcominginto this round," said Pastrana, who has only raced one other time all year. "Basically, Suzukisaid, 'Youdon't have enough time to get reatly,' but I've been trainingreal hard off the bike, and Ithought Iwas reatly to come in and put it together - Iwasn't hoping for a win; obviously Reed and Windham are amazingand goinggreat - but I was hoping to be able to run a podium. After the qualifier there would've been no Wirfof even , come dose of [makingthe podium1as far as my endurance. Iwanted to go out there more than anythingin the world, but to go out there and crash myself out while tryingto stay fit is just... Iwant to go out there and win, and the best Wirf to do that is to wait and come out next year healthy." A hard crash the day before didn't make matters any better for the "aiso-supenmoto and rallycar racer. Pastrana was sporting a nice gash on his nose. "I wadded so hard in practice," Pastranasaid. "They actuallysent me to the hospitallast night. I went to Dr. Bodner for some Advil, and they sent me out with an l.v, and I'm like, 'c'rnon man,' they think I did my spleen. But arTYWirf, Ispent lastnightin the hospital." Speaking of Pastrana, he says he willride the entire supercross series next year. "Full time next year for sure," he said. "I'm really lookingforward to it. It's goingto be great because without doingthe outdoor series this year, I can start testing for supereross. My knee is still my biggestthing. The knee needs more time to heal. Hopefullywith a littletime off this summer, I can start testing a littleearly and get back and kicksome butt next year." Mach I Yamaha's Ezra wsk had a pin put in his leg that he broke lastweek in Salt Lake Oty. Luskbroke the tibiaand fibula bones in his leg and is alreatlyup and about and walkContinued on page 20