Round 9 GNC-MX Nationals
Photos by Digital 219
Keith Little Wins MX Battle in Pennsylvania
June 27, 2006 – Keith Little (#12, above) rode his Lonestar Racing, Honda TRX450R to victory in ATVA ITP/Moose Grand National Championship Motocross Series action at Steel City in Delmont, Pennsylvania, June 17-18.
Steel City is definitely one of the most challenging tracks on the national tour, with excellent spectator views of nearly the entire track.
As riders were lining up for the first moto, everyone was wondering whether John Natalie (#13) would even race.
During Friday's practice, Natalie took a tumble on a double jump and injured his left wrist. But Natalie doesn't give up easily. He came to race.
As
the roar of the engines increased, 20 Pro racers charged into turn one with Doug
Gust (#55, left)) pulling the holeshot. He was followed by Josh Creamer (#270),
Little, Jason Dunkelberger (#19)and Dustin Wimmer (#191).
Little quickly passed Gust and led the first few laps while Gust was looking for the best place to take back the lead. A few laps later, Gust made the pass and opened up a big lead.
Meanwhile,
Little (right)had a big lead over Wimmer, Jeremy Lawson (#16) and Jeremiah Jones
(#2).
Current points leader Joe Byrd (#7) was back in the pack, after going off the track and getting stuck in a ditch.
As the laps wound down, Little faded just a little. Looking down, he could see oil leaking from the engine case. But luck was on his side.
At the finish of the first moto, it was Gust, Little, Wimmer, Lawson and Jones.
For
the second moto, the overall win could go to any of the top five. At turn one it
was Little pulling the holeshot and taking the lead. Charging hard just behind
him was Harold Goodman (#708), Natalie (with an injured wrist), Byrd and Jones.
Where was Gust?
He was scrambling to get untangled from several other riders in turn one. Gust got back in the race in 18th place.
Behind Little, everything was changing. Jones quickly passed everyone in front and took the lead from Little. Byrd had some temporary mechanical problems that moved him back in the pack.
Pat Brown (#199), riding one of his best motos, moved into third, with Goodman in fourth and Wimmer in fifth.
Gust was on the gas, working his way up. With less than a lap to go, Gust was in seventh place behind Kory Ellis (#53).
Gust eventually passed Ellis for third place and his spot on the podium.
At
the finish, Ellis finished in third place over Gust by less than a bike length.
Finally, on the podium for the first-ever ATVA National at Steel City it was recently married Little (left, center), Jones second (bottom), and Wimmer third.
The National points race became closer with Byrd leading, followed by Natalie, Gust, Jones and Little.