Round 12 GNC-MX Nationals
Photos by Digital 219
Gust Wins Unadilla MX
August 24, 2006 – Team Suzuki/Yoshimura rider Doug Gust (#55) of Salem, Wisconsin, claimed just his second win of the season in the ATVA ITP/Moose Racing National Motocross Series when he won the battle at the Unadilla track in New Berlin, New York, July 29-30.
The
win puts Gust (above and right) in a very solid second place in the overall
points, and gives him a very good shot at the National Championship.
Unadilla Valley Sports was another whopping success, with another record-setting crowd and great track.
Rain washed out most of Friday's practice, but the track was in excellent condition for Sunday’s Pro events.
For the first moto, Pat Brown (#199), of Pittstown, New Jersey, launched his Yamaha out front first and captured the holeshot. Charging behind was Gust, Keith Little (#12) of Russellville, Arkansas, and Josh Upperman (#20) of Louisville, Ohio, making his debut in the Pro class after clinching the Pro-Am title. In fifth was Joe Byrd, (#7) of Union City, Tennessee.
But
it was Dustin Wimmer (#191) of Center Valley, Pennsylvania, who was fastest on
the track. At the end of lap one he had moved into fourth place and was moving
up fast.
At the end of the first moto, it was Wimmer with a huge lead over Brown in second, Gust in third, Byrd fourth and Little fifth.
As the gate dropped for the second moto, it was Byrd out first followed by Gust, Little, Travis Spader (#30) of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, and then Jason Dunkelberger (#19) of Trevorton, Pennsylvania.
Tangled up in turn one were nine riders and ATVs. It took several seconds for riders to free their ATVs and charge back into the race.
Team Suzuki/Yoshimura's Jeremiah Jones (#2), off to the side of the track following the tangle, was pinned under his ATV. He suffered paralyzing injuries.
With Byrd out front and pulling away, it looked like Byrd had the overall win in the bag, but unpredictable mechanical problems silenced his ATV. He came to a halt in the middle of the track.
This was the break Gust needed as he cruised to a first-place finish. Spader was second, with Little third, Upperman fourth and Harold Goodman (#708) of Romulus, Michigan, finished fifth.
Gust
claimed the overall win with a 3-1, Little second with a 5-3, and Wimmer
finished third overall.
The points race is as hot as ever. The current points leaders are Byrd, Gust, Jones, Little and Natalie.