Indiana National Photo Report
By Billy Rainford
The earlier photo report from the Indiana National at Ironman MX was strictly Canada-centric. Here are a bunch of shots from the final race of the 2015 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championships last Saturday.
The first thing you notice when you get to the track is just how big the jumps are. The top part of the track was like an old Crusty video! This is #19 Justin Bogle in action in the 450 class.
The Legends race was actually pretty cool. #10 Guy Cooper got out to the early lead. He’s 53 years old and did the huge uphill triple on the 2nd lap in practice.
I guess when your nickname is ‘Sky’ you aren’t afraid of a little airtime.
The rough and rutted track definitely tested the Legends. Hey, that’s my old number!
Jeff Emig got a rear flat and just sort of cruised around and watched the race.
#31 Jason Thomas.
Ricky Carmichael and #14 Kevin Windham had something planned for the race but Kevin fell back and RC said he couldn’t wait because the guys behind were closing in. He obviously still wanted to win. I’m sure it was a tandem whip or something.
#17 Robbie Reynard was the one closing in on RC. He got 2nd.
This guy thought he was having some sort of ‘Hot Tube Time Machine’ situation.
Seeing this guy to his left didn’t dispel his delusion, either!
Jeff Stanton was a top dog back in my day. He wore his Team USA MXON gear.
Not many chances to get these two Michigan legends in the same shot these days (blurry or otherwise…)!
#15 Tim Ferry said he hasn’t been this nervous before a race in a long time. Actually, it was at Loretta’s this past month.
You have to take advantage of an RC whip photo op when you can these days! Ricky could have gone a lot faster than he did. Maybe not for long though…
Canadian John John Pauk is still on tour. He didn’t make the motos Saturday.
Jessy Nelson demonstrates the benefits of a properly-executed scrub. The 250s weren’t doing this big uphill triple.
I stood here a while and snapped a few scrub shots…
#157 Aaron Plessinger was a very popular winner Saturday in the second moto. He and #37 Joey Savatgy put on a great show at the front.
His 2-1 motos gave him the overall. The crowd chanted, “A-P” for quite a while.
They were this close for most of the moto.
After a mechanical early in the first moto caused a DNF for #25 Marvin Musquin, he knew the title was out of reach but still rode hard to a solid 3rd place 2nd moto finish.
He was obviously disappointed.
But a champion doesn’t stay down long. He showed class and gave an authentic congratulations to series winner #1 Jeremy Martin on the podium.
Jeremy Martin finished 4-9, collected 30 points, and took the title.
He was super-pumped and commented that this second consecutive title was definitely harder to achieve.
Our old friend #672 Seth Rarick was in Indiana on his Yamaha 450. He finished 28-24 27th.
I spent a lot of time standing between the big triple downhill and this triple uphill that Kaven Benoit shows the size of. It was big!
#975 Jake Loberg raced a few Canadian Nationals in 2014. He didn’t make the motos Saturday.
That’s #84 Jesse Wentland. He had a rough one Saturday and didn’t seem very talkative when I bumped into him during the final 250 moto.
Bogle looked great in the first moto and finished up in 5th spot. Trouble in the second forced a 30th for a 13th.
Blake Baggett had to work his way forward. He took 7th with 6-9 motos.
Redemption Racing Fly Dragon KTM’s #92 Cade Clason in the zone before a moto. I bet that’s country he’s listening to.
Cade finished 23rd with 25-19 motos.
#377 Christophe Pourcel was up in the mix at the front. He finished 4-7 for 5th.
#51 Justin Barcia had a very solid 2nd half of the season. His 7-3 gave him 4th overall and 3rd on the season, just 6 back of 2nd.
#1 Ken Roczen had a controversial week and came out and did what he had to. He won the last moto of the season and took 2nd with 3-1 motos. He also took 2nd in the series.
#5 Ryan Dungey wrapped up the title last week in Utah and didn’t even have to line up. But champions like to win races and that’s just what he did. He even messed up to keep it interesting. 1-2 motos gave him the overall.
Jason Anderson 3rd.
Ken Roczen 2nd.
With the champagne spray.
What do you think they’re saying?
How about these guys?
Justin Barcia has a word with Lurch after taking 3rd in the 2nd moto.
Ryan Dungey grabs another win.
Check out these unique trophies.
Maybe not my most informative photo report, but you guys have all watched the race by now anyway. I just wanted to throw a slightly different angle on things. James Stewart says, “See you at the races…seriously!”
