RRR’s Josh Upperman & Sam Rowe Top Ten at Monster Mountain
Root River Racing’s Pro ATV MX Race Report

La Crosse, WI (6/8/2016) - Root River Racing’s Pro riders Josh Upperman and Sam Rowe competed in the sixth round of the 2016 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship at Monster Mountain MX Park in Tallasse, AL. Upperman took seventh place overall and Rowe finished his season best in tenth.

Upperman began his day strong in the timed qualifier. “The qualifier went really good. I was only about two second off first, so I think I got sixth or seventh,” explained Upperman.

Josh Upperman went 6-7 to finish seventh overall

A mid pack start in the first moto held Upperman back from the finish he was capable of. “I came off the gate and spun a little too much, so I had a mid pack start. I had to fight my way up but managed to climb to sixth. By that time, everyone was pretty much spread apart.”

Second moto, Upperman came out of the gate much the same as moto one, but put his head down and charged to salvage as many positions as possible. “The starts just were not there for me this weekend, not to mention the heat. It was really hot and humid. I don’t know if I just got wore out, but with about three laps left I hit a wall, and just settled in for seventh.”

“I am not really happy about the weekend but the bike worked great. My mechanic did an awesome job getting the bike ready to go. Thanks to Rich and everyone for getting me out there. I am basically going to be working my butt off at home. I know what I need to do to move forward,” stated Upperman with unquestionable determination.

Sam Rowe rounded out the top ten with a 9-10 scorecard

Upperman is optimistic and confident heading into the next round at Sunset Ridge. “I like that track. I have done really good there in the past and actually won there before. I am going to be training and riding as much as I can at home. I am ready for Illinois, and I am going to be even more ready here in about two weeks, you can count on that,” stated Upperman.

Root River Racing’s rookie Pro rider of Sam Rowe made a big return to the AMA ATV Motocross Nationals after a several week break. Rowe came back with a big statement, taking his season best Pro class finish of tenth overall.

“I was so pumped. I was happy to be riding with everyone again. I have been training really hard and I think it showed this weekend,” said Rowe.

Rowe raced hard both motos, battling with Wes Lewis all throughout the day. “Wes Lewis and I battled moth motos. First moto I was out in front of him and he was trying to chase me down. Second moto he was in front of me and I was trying to chase him down, so it was kind of cool.”

Rowe’s Root River Racing Honda was performing top notch. “Root River had the bike dialed in. The Motowoz shocks were handling all the little kickers out there. My Rage motor got me two good starts and that really helped me get the top ten finish. The Hoosier tires were hooking up great. The whole bike was working good together, I was really happy,” stated Rowe.

Root River Racing’s Pro riders, Upperman and Rowe, will return to the AMA ATV Motocross National Championship racing at Sunset Ridge MX in Walnut, IL June 18-19.

Josh Upperman 2016 Sponsors:
Root River Racing, Hoosier Tires, Motowoz, Fly Racing, Hinson, JB Racing, Rage ATV, DWT, Fasst company, Sunstar, Powermadd, FTR, Fourwerx, Yoshimura, Pepsi, DP Brakes, Rath, 100%, La Crescent Wine and Spirit, Streamline, PT Welding, Works Connection, RPM, Racing for Cancer, C&L Powder Coating, Trimbles Cycle Center, Rods Powersports, Severson Oil co