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/128392
Ryan Villopoto finally got a title at Loretta's. Probably the biggest name heading into the event was Monster Energy/Cernic's Suzuki pilot Jason Lawrence, an 18-year-old from New Jersey who has consistently collected top10 finishes this summer in the AMA Pro Motocross Nationals. Lawrence hoped to collect the 125 and 250cc Pro Sport titles at Loretta's, but trouble in the second 250cc moto held him to five moto wins and one championship. "I crashed and threw the title away," said Lawrence, whose couldn't-care-Iess attitude is garnering almost as much attention as his riding. "You know, people are saying that Ryan [Villopoto1is the next Briefly... Vet legend Kevin Walker was in position to win his II th and 12th National titles this year, which would break the all-time record held by james Stewart and Mike Alessi. But Walker crashed in his second 30-Plus moto, taking him out of the hunt there. He rebounded to win the 35-Plus class, which ties him for the record. "I know you can never say anything before you are done racing here," said Walker, a popular and colorful character. "Believe the hype? Please. I don't believe anything until you're done with your motos. Anything can happen, but God willing, I'll be back next year to try for number 12 and lucky 13." A host of guest stars visited Loretta Lynn's Ranch throughout the week, including Vanilla Ice, who performed live after opening ceremonies on Monday night as a guest of Thor and Parts Unlimited. Ice, a big motocross fan who competed at Loretta's in 1985, also took some laps of the track with jeremy McGrath on Tuesday. Ricky Carmichael, james Stewart and Ivan Tedesco were on hand as well, with Stewart and Tedesco taking laps on the 2006 KX four-strokes. Travis Pastrana showed up as well, crushing some cars in his number199 monster truck on Sunday. Even Loretta Lynn herself made an appearance onstage at opening ceremonies, welcoming the riders to her ranch for the 24th year. A thrilled Sarah Whitmore won the Women's title. big thing, and I don't even know where he finished." The Villopoto-Lawrence battle was supposed to be an epic one in 125cc Pro Sport, but Villopoto never got a good start on his Team Green machine. Villopoto is known for having bad luck at Loretta's, but he finally righted the wrongs to win the 125cc A title. His charge to a win in the third moto was impressive, and it gave him a 1-1-1 sweep. "I finally got here," the 16-year-old, who will probably make his Pro debut at Broom-Tioga in a few weeks, said. "I've been trying for six or seven years here." Lawrence's crash in the 250cc Pro Sport class opened the door for the consistent rides of Honda's Daniel Sani. Sani went 2-2-3, while Lawrence and another Suzuki rider, Shaun Skinner, won the motos. But being solid counts at Loretta's, and Sani got the number-one plate. In the 250cc A class, Suzuki's Mike laPaglia was hoping to win his second title after clinching the Four-Stroke In addition to racing, the event offers plenty to do, from Air Nautiques wakeboard lessons to Camp Loretta's for kids, as well as talent shows and the first-annual FMF/Cycle News Karaoke World Finals, hosted by Cycle News' Dano Legere. The real vet standout was Mike Katin. He took the 30-Plus title over Kevin Walker, and he also won the 2s-Plus class when Charley Bogard, who won the first two motos, got hurt racing the Four-Stroke class and could only muster fourth in the final round. Katin also won the AMA Vet Horizon Award. "This is as big as it gets for me," Katin said. "I've ridden Pro Nationals for a long time - I haven't been down here for 14 years." Josh Hill ran the 12scc B classes, but the 2SOcc Bgroup hosted some great title fights. In the Modified class, I'!-year-old Kentucky native Tyler Bowers and Missouri's jimmy Albertson were headed to a final-moto showdown, but Albertson crashed hard in the first tum. Bowers won the moto and tide, while Albertson was left with an injured shoulder. He tried to win Continued on page 36 CYCLE NEWS • AUGUST 24,2005 3S