Titles Claimed at Loretta Lynn’s
Cycle News Staff | August 10, 2009
Numerous championships were handed out over the weekend at the Air Nautiques AMA Amateur Nationals at Loretta Lynn Ranch presented by Amsoil.Yamaha veteran Doug Dubach started the championship run with the 40+ Title, and he later followed it with the 45+ Championship as well. Dubach’s dominant performance was matched by Keith S. Johnson, who took his Kawasaki to the 25+ and 35+ titles for the second-straight year. Johnson’s 25+ run wasn’t easy. Jon Boruf grabbed the first moto win and Johnny Marley took moto two, but Johnson’s consistency kept him in the hunt. He holeshot moto three with Boruf challenging him until Boruf crashed. He then mounted a comeback and nearly caught Johnson, but the New England veteran held on.Dubach’s 45+ run ran in conjunction with the 50+ class, which returned to the Ranch this year. Craig Pickett squared off with Matt Tedder for the win, and they passed back and forth. Pickett, who won the 40+ Title here at the Ranch in 1999, took the lead from Tedder late but ended up going down, and Tedder held on for the win-a follow to his 45+ Titles from a few years ago.On the younger side of the event, the 51cc classes wrapped up with Stilez Robertson continuing his dominant run in AMA Class 1 (4-6), and Jordan Bailey and Vance Stiers taking the AMA Class 2 (7-8) and Stock Shaft Drive classes, respectively.The Schoolboy Class for 125 two-strokes offered up the best racing of the day, as Kawasaki’s Jacob Hayes battled Kyle Peters, Brad Frace and Joey Savatgy for the championship. All four riders crossed the finish line on the same second in an amazing four-rider duel for the title. Hayes came out on top.Quebec, Canada’s Kade Walker took a 65cc title on Friday, finally retiring the same set of lucky Fly gear that he had been riding, racing and training in for the last few months. “I just wanted to remember all the sweat I’ve put in to win this title,” said Walker, who also speaks French.Two Kawasaki riders squared off for the coveted 85cc (12-13) Championship, with Alabama’s Thomas Covington and Florida’s Adam Cianciarulo battling in moto three. Cianciarulo grabbed the MotorcycleSuperstore.com holeshot, but Convington pressured him until falling in a corner, opening the door for Cianciarulo to claim the crown.In the A classes, Blake Baggett was set for a duel with Les Smith in the 250 A Pro Sport class, and he stepped up with a holeshot and moto victory to seal the deal. KTM’s Jason Anderson, who has struggled mightily this week, took the lead from Baggett at one point but his shock went out, bumping him back to second. Smith struggled with a pair of crashes.There were no problems in the 450 A class, as Justin Weeks was on fire and claimed the title. Fellow Suzuki rider Justin Starling claimed the 450 B stock crown. And in 250 B Mod, Eli Tomac continued his dominance, easily winning the moto and the title.Similarly, Dean Wilson continued his hot streak with the 450 A Pro Sport moto win and Championship. He will work on a second title today, on Satuday. Amanda Maheu swept the Girls (11-15) class with three moto wins.
