Maxxis / Elka’s Joel Hetrick Dominates Loretta Lynn's
Maxxis / Elka / Liquid Wrench / Honda AMA ATV MX Report

Maxxis/Elka/Liquid Wrench/ Honda’s Joel Hetrick (1st) & David Haagsma (3rd) shared the podium for the third time this season

Joel Hetrick’s dominating ride was impressive to say the least. In the first moto, Hetrick’s strongest competitor, Chad Wienen, was tangled up with another rider, which allowed Hetrick to easily cruise his way to victory. “I was just riding and trying to hold my gap. I knew I could go 1-1 if I saved some energy because I knew Chad was battling through the pack and would be pretty tired for the next one. It was super hot, so I would have been in the same boat if I was in that situation,” said Hetrick.

Joel Hetrick won Moto One by over 21 seconds over second place

The second moto was not as easy for Hetrick, but he still pulled off the win. Hetrick had to come from behind to chase down and pass Wienen for the lead. “About halfway, I made a clean pass around him and pulled a couple seconds. It was a good race and a lot of fun,” explained Hetrick.

Hetrick’s skill, good track conditions, and great sponsors create a potent combination for any other competition on the track. “We had two good motos and two pretty solid starts. The Maxxis tires hooked up great, the DASA motor was ripping, and Jay Gobel tuned the suspension during qualifying. I was pumped on getting another 1-1,” stated Hetrick.

Joel Hetrick gained 6 points in the championship race to close the gap to 16 points heading into the final round

With the 1-1 overall win, Hetrick has shortened the points gap to 16 points behind Wienen. The championship, the ATVriders.com fastest qualifier award, and the SSI Decals holeshot award will all come down to the final round at Soaring Eagle on September 9th.

David Haagsma took his third podium finish of the season with 3-4 moto finishes for third place overall. The day started on a good note in timed qualifying and the good vibes continued to follow Haagsma through both Pro motos. “The first qualifier Joel and I went 1-2, so that gave me good confidence right in the beginning,” explained Haagsma.

David Haagsma finished third in Moto One

In moto one, Haagmsa was fourth out of the start and battled his way past Wes Lewis and John Natalie to second place. Haasgsma held second all the way until the last lap of the race when Chad Wienen caught and passed him.

In moto two, Haagsma’s Maxxis/Elka backed Honda rocketed off the start as he took the holeshot and then battled his way to third overall. “It was awesome. It’s something we are always working towards. Everything aligned right, I was feeling good, and the bike was working awesome,” said Haagsma.

Sparks' David Haagsma grabbed the holeshot in Moto 2

The podium finish moved Haagsma up in the points race and he is now just two points out of fourth place. “Hopefully we will take another podum next round and get to fourth overall on the year,” stated Haagsma.

Grayson Eller finished out the amateur points championships with third place in Open B, 450 B, and College. Consistency was key for Eller this season and paid off as a back injury kept him from gaining any points at Loretta Lynn’s.

#171 Grayson Eller rounded out the season with three Top 3 finishes in the points standings

“I messed up my back two days before Loretta’s, which was pretty unfortunate. I still went out and did the best I could. We were focused on working hard and staying consistent all year long so if something did go wrong, It did not mess us up for the points standing,” explained Eller.

This was Eller’s first year moving up on a 450 machine, making his accomplishments that much more impressive. “It has been the best year I have had since I was really little. I could not have done it without the Honda/Maxxis/Elka team,” said Eller.

Looking ahead, Eller hopes to be healed up before the Soaring Eagle race in September, but if not he is already focused on training for the 2017 season. “ I am thinking I will be running Production A, 450 A, and College. I will head over to California and ride with David Haagsma during the offseason. I want to try the tracks on the west coast and see how I stand over there,” explained Eller.

The twelfth round of the Pro 2016 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship will he held at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mount Pleaseant, MI on Septmber 9th. Hetrick and Haagsma will continue training and let it all hang out one last time before the 2016 Pro AMA ATV Motocross National Champion is crowned.

2016 Race Team Sponsors
Maxxis, Liquid Wrench, Elka, Fly, Scott, SSi Decals, DWT, Hinson, Bel Ray, Sunstar, Works Connection, Sandridge Foods, Impact Solutions, Fourwerx, Alpinestar, DC Designs, Precision Racing Products