Maxxis / Elka’s
Joel Hetrick Clinches Pro Championship
Maxxis /Elka / Liquid
Wrench / Honda Pro ATV Team Report
Salisbury, NC (8/15/2017) -
Maxxis/Elka/Liquid Wrench/Honda’s Pro team racer
Joel Hetrick had a dream since he first started
racing 20 years ago: to win a AMA Pro ATV National
Championship. Through hard work, determination
and an indomitable spirit, that dream came true
as he clinched the AMA ATV Motocross National
Championship by finishing second at the season
finale at the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane
Mills, TN.
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Maxxis
/ Elka / Liquid Wrench / Honda's Joel Hetrick
clinched the AMA Pro ATV Motocross National
Championship at Loretta Lynn's |
Hetrick rode like a champion all season, finishing
on the podium in all ten races including five
overall victories with moto sweeps in the last
three races, to net the title by 11 points.
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Joel Hetrick claimed the Moto One Holeshot
with his DASA Racing powered Honda |
“I’ve been through a lot this year,” said Hetrick.
“The first couple of races weren’t great. I thought
after those races that our season was over, but
I put my head down, charged hard and we got it.
This is a childhood dream. I’ve worked for this
all of my life; I’ve been racing for 20 years.
I just can’t say enough. It’s an amazing feeling
and I’m happy to be here.”
Hetrick snagged the holeshot in the first moto
and led every lap to victory.
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| Maxxis
/ Elka / Liquid Wrench / Honda's Joel Hetrick
claimed the Moto One win, which was his
goal |
In the second moto, he rode a smart and consistent
pace to finish second. His overall second-place
finish capped an impressive effort this season
by Hetrick and his David Eller-led team.
“I’d like to thank the entire Maxxis/Elka/Liquidwrench/Honda
Team, especially David Eller and Jonathan Parrish
for their endless support,” said Hetrick. “The
bike was always 100 percent and I always had all
the parts we needed. My mechanic Brandon Lauer
worked his butt off all year to make this happen.
Elka Suspension, Doug Roll and Jay Gobel did tons
of work on my shocks all season and that made
a huge difference and took a lot of stress off
of me. The DASA motor is the reason I’ve been
really good with the holeshots all season and
the Maxxis Tires were gripping great. I’ve been
wanting this forever and I’m blessed to have it.”
In a true show of sportsmanship, Hetrick presented
his number one plate to Debi Bartosek of 88 Live
to Ride. After losing her son Matt in a crash
in 2003, Debi Bartosek formed 88 Live to Ride
to advocate safety in the ATV sport.
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Joel
Hetrick presented Debi Bartosek with his
number one plate |
“I’ve run the number 88 all of my life because
of Matt Bartosek,” said Hetrick. “She deserves
this for all of her hard work.”
Hetrick plans to return next season with Maxxis/Elka/Liquid
Wrench/Honda to defend his title.
2017 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, Rath Racing
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