Photos by Stephani
McIntyre
John Natalie wins Pennsylvania MX
June 22, 2005 – John Natalie (#13), on his red hot Honda, won the ATV Stampede ATVA ITP/Moose Grand National Championship Motocross race at High Point Raceway in Mount Morris, Pennsylvania, June 18-19, for the second year in a row.
The ATV Stampede was his only win in the 2004 season. With his 2005 repeat, he has extended his overall points lead in the very popular Pro class.
High Point Raceway, Mount Morris, Pennsylvania was home for the ATV Stampede, which was Round 9 of the ATVA ITP/Moose Grand National Championship Motocross Series. Fantastic weather greeted a very large group of spectators, who saw some very exciting ATV racing.
As the Pro riders lined up on the starting gate for the first moto, fans filled the bleachers and lined every inch of fence to cheer on their favorite riders.
Natalie battled wheel to wheel with 19 other Pro riders to pull the holeshot, followed by Jason Luburgh (#8) on his Yamaha, who is back after a short absence due to a broken collar bone. Next in line was Joe Byrd (#7) aboard a Honda, followed by Jeremy Lawson (#161) on a Suzuki in his very first pro event. Tavis Cain (#6) rounded out the top five on his Yamaha.
For
the next 20 minutes, many positions changed except the first spot, held by Natalie
(right). The moto ended with Byrd second, Kory Ellis (#53) on a Yamaha third,
Luburgh fourth. Team Suzuki/Yoshimura's Jeremiah Jones (#2) came all the way
from 12h to fifth on his Suzuki.
The start of the second moto was similar to the first, Natalie and Byrd were in a drag race to the first corner while Team Honda's Tim Farr (#4) took the inside line and quickly grabbed the lead. Natalie claimed second followed by Jones, Cain and Byrd.
During lap two, Natalie passed Farr and began to open up a lead that nobody could challenge.
The battle for second between Farr and Jones was one of the best races on the track. Jones tried every move he could think of to pass Farr. The machines and riders appeared equally matched, lap after lap.
In fourth place, Cain found Byrd knocking on his back door as the two battled. Keith Little (#12) passed them both to slide into fourth place.
Team Suzuki/Yoshimura rider Doug Gust (#55), who is second in the the overall points standings, didn't make it to the second moto. Gust crashed hard in the first moto. He was OK, but very bruised and shaken up.
When the white flag came out on the second moto, signaling the last lap, Natalie held a huge lead, followed by Farr, Jones, Little and Byrd.
The final positions didn't change at the checkered flag.
First
place overall was easy, with Natalie’s 1-1 finishes. Joe Byrd earned his best
finish this season with a second overall, and Jeremiah Jones claimed another
third place.
With this win, Natalie extends his lead but hasn't clinched the title. The three remaining rounds should be as exciting as the first nine.