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/847300
IN THE WIND P36 2017 AMA DIRT TRACK GRAND CHAMPIONS CROWNED T wenty AMA National number-one plates were awarded July 4 at the AMA Dirt Track Grand Championship at Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, in Du Quoin, Illinois, July 4, to 12 riders who earned AMA National Champion status. Some racers earned national championships in more than one class. Youth and amateur racers competed in a variety of classes in Half Mile, Youth TT, Amateur TT and Indoor Short Track events. "As always, the talent at the AMA Dirt Track Grand Championship is top notch," said AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant. "Congratulations to the 12 racers who battled their way to the front and were able to take home the honor of being an AMA National Champion." Hunter Brooks of Escalon, California, was the re- cipient of the Nicky Hayden AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award, which recognizes the rider best prepared for the professional ranks, based on their attitude, enthusiasm and past performances as an amateur. The award recently was re-named in honor of 2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden, who passed away in May. Hayden was the inaugural winner of the AMA Horizon Award in 1997. Trevor Tidwell of Washington, Illinois received the 2017 Dirt Track Grand Championship Fast Brain Award for his hard work on the race- track and in the classroom. Veteran Senior Racer of the Year is Dallas Mayer of Carbondale, Il- linois. Tyler Scott from Emmaus Pennsyl- vania is the Youth Racer of the Year. He won three AMA National Champi- onships in 2017. 2017 AMA DIRT TRACK GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONS: 50cc DTX Sr. (7-8) – Bradon Pfanders 50cc DTX PW Shaft – Brody Hanson 50cc DTX PW (4-8) – Elijah Banish 65cc DTX (7-11) – Chase Anderson 65cc Modified (7-11) – Tyler Scott 85cc DTX (7-11) – Tyler Scott 85cc DTX (12-15) – Kody Kopp 85cc Modified (7-11) – Tyler Scott 85cc Modified (12-15) – Kody Kopp 250cc DTX – Travis Petton 250cc Modified – Grant Holmes 201cc-250cc – Grant Holmes 251cc-500cc DTX – Hunter Brooks 450cc Modified – Dallas M. Daniels 450cc Open Singles – Dallas M. Daniels 450cc Open Mod (Single and Twin) – Dallas M. Daniels Veteran 30+ – Michael Mayer Senior 40+ – Dallas Mayer Super Senior 50+ – Dallas Mayer Women (12+) – Sara Saathoff Amateur dirt track racers were crowned at Du Quoin over the July 4 holiday. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSH RUDD