HURRICANE MILLS, Tenn. – After an exciting opening day of action to drop the gate on the 2020 Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, the flurry of racing continued into Wednesday as 23 motos took to the track at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch.
An uptick in humidity tested the fitness of competitors, and gave way to even more compelling battles for victory.
With many of the most prominent classes at Loretta Lynn’s competing on day two, it provided an opportunity for some of amateur motocross’ stars of the future to step into the spotlight and put their talents on display.
The first moto in the 250 class saw BarX/Chaparral/Suzuki’s Dilan Schwartz take the win, which gave him some much needed momentum entering Moto 2. However, Wednesday provided a much different experience for Schwartz, who found himself buried deep in the top 20 on the opening lap.
With Schwartz out of the picture, Yamaha/Rock River/bLU cRU Amateur Motocross Team rider Mason Gonzales and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Stilez Robertson positioned themselves at the front of the field, ahead of Husqvarna rider Jace Kessler.
Just like the first moto, Gonzales pulled the STACYC Holeshot and jumped out to the early lead, which he maintained for a couple laps before Robertson made the pass and seized control of the race. Once out front, Robertson dropped a trio of fast laps in the 1:50 range to build an insurmountable advantage.
He took the checkered flag nearly 7.5 seconds ahead of Gonzales, while BarX/Chaparral/Suzuki’s Preston Kilroy made an impressive charge from eighth to third to grab the final spot on the podium. Despite an 18th-place start, Schwartz made an impressive climb to fifth to keep his title hopes alive.
After two motos, Robertson leads the way in the overall classification, with Gonzales second and Schwartz third.
The Open Pro division made its Loretta’s debut on Wednesday with its first of three motos in a field that includes both 250cc and 450cc motorcycles. Many of the most recognizable names from other divisions converged in the Open class, setting the stage for a hotly contested battle for the title.
Leading the way in the opening moto were the same trio of familiar faces that have set the tone in 250 Pro Sport – Stilez Robertson, Mason Gonzales, and Dilan Schwartz. As the gate dropped to start Moto 1, it was none other than Gonzales who jumped out to the early lead over the KTMs of Vinny Luhovey, who earned the STACYC Holeshot, and Robby Marshall. Robertson completed the opening lap in fifth, while Schwartz was buried in 16th.
While Gonzales looked to build a gap on the field, Robertson was on a determined charge forward and moved into second place on Lap 2. With the lead in his sights, Robertson made a charge to catch and pass Gonzales and take over the top spot a quarter of the way through the moto. As the lead changed hands, Schwartz was completing an incredible charge through the field that saw him move into podium position in third.
Robertson rode consistent laps through to the finish, and while Gonzales kept him honest, the Husqvarna rider successfully captured his second moto win of the day, just over two seconds ahead of Gonzales. Schwarts brought home a well-earned third.
Fresh off a decisive win in the 125cc B/C division on Tuesday, Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM’s Max Vohland entered Wednesday’s first moto of Schoolboy 1 B/C brimming with confidence. He was expected to be challenged by the class’ other highly touted prospect, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Talon Hawkins, who was unable to get in the mix during Tuesday’s race.
When the racing got underway, it was JT Motorsports KTM’s Gage Stine who emerged with the STACYC Holeshot and the early lead, with Hawkins and Vohland in tow. Stine was impressive in the opening laps, and benefitted from the battle between Hawkins and Vohland for second, which Vohland soon took over.
It wasn’t long before Vohland continued his forward progression and made the pass for the lead, bringing Hawkins along with him into second. Once he positioned himself out front, Vohland’s pace was too much for Hawkins and he eventually carried on to his second moto win of the week by a double-digit margin over Hawkins, with Yamaha/Rock River/bLU cRU Amateur Motocross Team rider Larry Reyes Jr. rounding out the podium.
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