Posted March 15, 2007

Jeremy Lawson wins first MX National

Jeremy Lawson (#16), aboard a Honda, won big at the first round of of the AMA Pro ATV National MX series at Mill Creek MX Park in Pell City Alabama, March 10-11.

Lawson showed everyone he is someone to watch for 2007 in the Pro series, which is part of the ATVA ITP/Moose Racing MX Grand National Championship Series presented by Parts Unlimited.

Hometown favorite Keith Little (#12), aboard a Honda, finished second, while Chad Wienen (#44), also on a Honda, took third.

Receiving excellent reviews in 2006, Mill Creek was chosen as season opener for 2007. The event saw a good increase in entries and great spectator attendance.

In the first moto, Harold Goodman (#708), riding a Honda, grabbed the holeshot and took the lead for several laps. Behind Goodman was 2006 National Champion Joe Byrd (#7) on a Honda, Little, Suzuki rider Doug Gust (#55) and John Natalie (#13) on a Honda.

The lead would change every few laps. First Goodman led, then Byrd, and finally Natalie. It made for exciting racing.

The second moto would determine it all.

As the gate dropped and the spectators cheered, it was Little pulling the holeshot, followed by Natalie, Byrd, Lawson and Gust.

Again, the lead would change several times during the race. After Little was Natalie, but the rider who was really on a mission was Wienen, who started around eighth place. Lap after lap he consistently passed rider after rider.

On the white flag lap, it was Wienen out front, Gust, Lawson, Little and Dustin Wimmer (#191) on a Suzuki.

With many top names not placing well in the first moto, and top riders dropping back in the second moto, it was a challenge adding up the numbers for the overall top winners.

Lawson's total was 6 with a 3/3, Little was second with 6 points but with a 2/4, third was Wienen at 9 points with an 8/1, and Natalie finished fourth at 10 with a 1/9.

Rounding out the top five positions was Russell Shumaker (#68) aboard a Suzuki. it was his very first AMA Pro ATV race, and, for him, finishing in front of many of the big names in ATV racing will be something to remember.

The manufacturers' points for 2007 started out big for Honda, taking all three positions on the podium.

If you are keeping track, the field of 20 ATVs included nine Suzukis, eight Hondas and three Yamahas.

© 2007, All Terrain Vehicle Association