Reigning 250 Class Champion Blake Baggett has not lined up on a starting gate since the opening round of Monster Energy Supercross in January. The time away from competition not only allowed Baggett to recover from a wrist injury, but also ensure he was at his best for the challenging summer season.

Baggett picked up the 2013 season where he left off in 2012 by cementing himself at the front of the field and challenging for the overall win. While he ultimately missed out on duplicating his victorious effort at Hangtown from a year ago, Baggett was still in the mix during each moto, posting 3-2 finishes to land second overall.

“Obviously I wanted to win and start this season off right, but it’s hard to complain about a podium finish with so many good riders out there,” said Baggett. “ We’ll learn from this weekend and come out event stronger next weekend.”

Justin Hill’s AMA Pro Motocross debut wasn’t as easy as the rookie might have liked, but despite some adversity thrown his way, Hill refused to give up and was rewarded with a top-10 finish.

After some misfortune on the opening lap of the first moto, Hill crossed the line in 31st and instantly began his climb through the field, passing 18 riders en route to a 13th-place finish. In Moto 2, Hill’s fortunes improved with a mid-pack start, but he still climbed from 16th to ninth to secure 10th overall.

“It was kind of a wild day for me, but my KX250F was just so strong that I didn’t realize how many riders I actually passed,” said Hill. “It was great to get two solid motos under my belt and know what it’s going to take to get the job done this season. I’m pumped with how things started.”

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s most experienced 250 Class riders – Martin Davalos and Darryn Durham – had hopes for a strong start to their first full seasons with Mitch Payton’s squad, but both veterans were stuck with misfortune that hurt their position on the overall results.

Davalos was hit with adversity in the opening moto, when he crashed on the third lap while battling for a spot inside the top 10. Davalos was unable to finish the moto, but returned to action in Moto 2, bouncing back to finish 12th and salvage 17th overall.

“It wasn’t the day we wanted, but considered what happened in the first moto I’m just happy to come out of here healthy,” said Davalos. “The bike was good and the speed is there, I just need to do some work heading into the next weekend.”

Durham set the tone for a good day with an impressive ride in Moto 1, battling at the front half of the field the entire race and beginning the afternoon with a sixth-place result. In Moto 2, Durham put himself up front again, but was hit with bad luck after contact with another rider resulted in a crash on Lap 3 that took Durham out of contention. Unable to finish the moto, he settled for 14th overall.

“Everything was going great and then it just ended so abruptly,” said Durham. “I’m definitely bummed and I’m a little banged up, but I’m pumped with how well we were able to race. I know I have the speed to run up front, so I just need to stay out of trouble and hopefully things will work out.”

After a stellar debut season in the 450 Class last season, Mitch Payton added a second bike to his stable for 2013 with Tyla Rattray and Dean Wilson.

Rattray led the way for the effort at Hangtown with a consistent day that resulted with a top-10 finish. The former world champion and veteran rider knew coming into the season that consistency would be the key in the highly talented 450 Class and he was just that at the opening round, posting a pair of ninth-place moto results to finish ninth overall.

“There’s a lot of guys who know how to get the job done out there, so I just wanted to find my place and set a good tone for the season,” said Rattray. “I definitely want to be up front with the big names, but it’s a long season and it was good to get a solid foundation. We’ll just look to make improvements from here.”

As a former 250 Class Champion, Dean Wilson knows what it takes to succeed in AMA Pro Motocross, but his move into the 450 Class presents a new level of challenges for the rising star. At Hangtown, Wilson learned what it takes to run up front after battling around the top five for most of the first moto. A late stall hurt his finish, but he proved the speed is there.

In Moto 2, Wilson needed to show his ability to come through the field and was able to overcome an incident on the opening lap to climb from 32nd to 14th, passing 18 riders in one of the most talented fields in history. Despite not racing since March, Wilson showed promising speed and resiliency en route to 14th overall.

“This isn’t the way I wanted things to start, but all we can do is learn from it,” said Wilson. “I was able to learn a lot in both motos and if I keep working on my fitness for these tough motos I expect to be a top five guy.”

Adam Cianciarulo was eagerly awaiting his pro debut at Hangtown, but the decorated amateur rider was forced to watch the race from the sidelines after an illness prevented him from competing. Cianciarulo will continue his recovery in hopes of getting on the track next weekend in Colorado for the second round of the championship.

The 2013 AMA Pro Motocross Championship heads to the Rocky Mountains next weekend with the annual Thunder Valley National in Lakewood, Colo. The second round of the championship will celebrate Memorial Day Weekend with one of the most unique and picturesque tracks on the planet.

SOURCE: Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki / Photos courtesy Steve Cox

Rahal is supported by KMC Wheels.

“The Midas / Big O Tires boys have been working extremely hard and I think we have made the car significantly better. Yesterday I think the car handled a little bit better than it did on the qualifying run I made today but it doesn’t matter, we’re in and that the biggest thing,” said Rahal, who will drive the No. 15 Midas / Big O Tires Dallara/Honda/Firestone.

This year will be the sixth Indy 500 for Rahal, who ran in the top-five in four of his five previous races. He competed for RLL in 2010 for the first time in an Indy car, qualifying seventh and ranning as high as second until a late-race blocking penalty dropped him to a 12th place finish. He qualified 29th with Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing in 2011 and earned his best finish at Indy to date of third place after he led six laps. This is Rahal’s first full season at RLL.

His best finish this season is second place in Long Beach. He is 14th in the series point standings with 74.

The 97th Indianapolis 500 race will be May 26 and will be televised by ABC at 12 p.m. (ET) and broadcast by the IMS Radio Network on Sirius XM (XM 94 and Sirius 212). Carb Day takes place Friday, May 24 with final practice from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET.

When Mitch Payton called on the services of reigning three-time AMA Arenacross Champion Tyler Bowers to fill in for injured riders Dean Wilson and Justin Hill in the Eastern Regional Championship, he probably didn’t expect Bowers to become one of the breakout stars of the final few weeks of the season. In just two starts, Bowers had already established himself as a legitimate threat for the podium. As a result of his strong rides, he unexpectedly qualified for a chance to compete in Las Vegas, where he hoped to cash in.

Bowers put himself in a good position at the start of the Eastern Regional Main Event, moving into second place early and setting his sights on the front of the field. After following early leader Gavin Faith for a couple laps, Bowers made his move to the front of the field and proceeded to check out on the competition. After holding a multiple second advantage for the majority of the 15-lap main event, Bowers withstood some late pressure from Marvin Musquin to emerge with his first career supercross victory.

“I can’t believe I’m in this position right now, it’s unbelievable,” exclaimed Bowers. “This just goes to show that all the hard work I’ve put into arenacross the last few years paid off. I would have never had this chance if Mitch Payton hadn’t given me a call so I cannot thank him enough for taking a shot at letting me ride a Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki bike. I also wouldn’t be here without the dedication of Team Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki and everything they’ve done for me in arenacross. This is such an amazing night and a great way to end the season.”

Bowers finished the Eastern Regional Championship with 59 points in three starts, which moved him to 16th overall with an impressive average finish of 3.33.

As he headed into the East/West Shootout, Bowers was hoping to keep the momentum from his win going into the 10-lap sprint. Following a start outside the top five, Bowers looked to make some early passes but suffered from misfortune in the process. He dropped to the tail end of the field, but was able to remount and battle his way to a 14th-place finish.

Martin Davalos’ first season with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki was a solid one as the veteran rider led the way for the team in the Western Regional Championship on several occasions. With three podium finishes to his credit coming into Las Vegas, Davalos was hoping to wrap up the season with another spot on the box and potentially a first career victory.

Davalos put himself in position to win by grabbing the early lead in the Western Regional Main Event and checking out on the field. He opened a healthy gap over the competition and led the first 11 laps of the 15-lap race on the long, physically demanding track inside Sam Boyd Stadium. On Lap 12, Davalos was pressured by Eli Tomac and despite his best efforts, gave way to his rival. Just a couple laps later, Davalos made a slight mistake in a rhythm section that allowed Ken Roczen to pass for second, but in the end, Davalos still walked away with his fourth podium result of the season and arguably his most impressive ride of the championship.

“I really wanted that win, but I’m still happy to be back on the podium,” said Davalos. “I pushed as hard as I could early on to open a big lead but this track was so tough and it really took everything you had to run the same lines every lap. I unfortunately made a couple mistakes there at the end and lost a couple spots, but I’m happy with third and how I raced tonight. I’ve made a lot of progress as a rider this season thanks to being a part of an elite team like Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki.”

Davalos’ podium result solidified his fifth-place finish in the Western Regional Championship.

In the East/West Shootout, Davalos grabbed the best start of the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki trio, moving into fourth place early on. He maintained that spot for the majority of the 10-lap race, but pressured Marvin Musquin for third place in the late stages. Davalos attempted a pass on Musquin for third, but couldn’t make it stick and ultimately finished just off the box in fourth.

Since the return of the Western Regional Championship a few weeks ago, Tyla Rattray had shown an added aggression and comfort aboard his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki KX250F. The veteran rider moved from outside the top 10 in the championship standings into a tie for eighth heading into Las Vegas, where he was looking to take over the position for himself.

Rattray started the Western Regional Main Event deep inside the top 10, surrounded by many of the division’s most talented riders. He engaged in battle for a spot inside the top 10 throughout the 15-lap main event and outlasted many of his rivals en route to a ninth-place finish.

Thanks to his top-10 effort, Rattray took over sole possession of eighth in the final Western Regional Championship standings.

Rattray had his work cut out for him in the East/West Shootout after starting 10th and experienced some misfortune as he attempted to work his way forward. After dropping a couple positions to 12th, Rattray battled his way through the field to earn a hard-fought 10th-place finish.

On Sunday evening, the annual Monster Energy Supercross Year-End Awards Ceremony looked back at the 2013 season and celebrated the individuals and moments that made this one of the most captivating championships in history. While Mitch Payton’s Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team was faced with adversity at times, the 2013 season was filled with bright spots, including the winning efforts from both Wilson and Bowers, along with the many podium appearances by Davalos. Additionally, rookie Justin Hill showed tremendous promise in his first season of professional competition. The team now looks ahead to the start of the 2013 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship season where all of its riders will return healthy and ready to battle for the title in the 450 Class and 250 Class.

Pastrana is backed by KMC Wheels.

“I practiced with the 43 car and we had a strategy to stay in the back,” Pastrana said. “I don’t know what happened, but we were up there in the front and got tangled up in someone else’s mess. I just want to thank Jack Roush and all the team for giving me a great car out there. I think we definitely could have put it on top if we just had a little more patience.”

 

Travis Pastrana and Trevor Bayne

Photo by: Getty Images

Both Roush Fenway Racing (RFR) Ford Mustangs were strong in each of Thursday’s two practice sessions. On Friday, Pastrana set the fastest lap, earning his first NNS pole and car owner Jack Roush’s first pole in the Nationwide Series at Talladega Superspeedway.

Saturday morning brought lots of rain, delaying the start of the race until nearly 5:00 p.m. CT. Pastrana decided before the race that after leading a lap he would drop to the rear of the field in an effort to avoid the multi-car accidents that restrictor plate racing is known for.

At the drop of the green, Pastrana led his first laps in NASCAR competition, holding the point for the opening four laps around the 2.66-mile superspeedway. After that Pastrana dropped to the back of the pack, according to his plan.

The No. 60 team took the first opportunity to pit under caution on Lap 15 for right side tires and fuel. Pastrana reported that he was very happy with the handling of the car. On the restart, Pastrana continued to ride in the top-20, biding his time and ticking off laps.

Crew Chief Chad Norris called Pastrana back down pit road under caution on Lap 36, pitting for left side tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment. He restarted 12th, but began to make his way to the front of the pack in his No. 60 Ford Mustang, climbing all the way to second by Lap 59.

On Lap 73, while running in the top-10, Pastrana was involved in an accident. The damage was severe enough to end the day for the No. 60 team.

“We had a great car and could have met up with him [Trevor Bayne] later, but I didn’t stick to the strategy and that’s why I’m being hard on myself,” said Pastrana. “Much thanks to the crew. Everybody worked really hard. I learned a lot about drafting. I learned a lot about racing these restrictor plate races.”

Regan Smith took the checkered flag in a wild finish, while NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regulars Joey Logano, Kasey Kahne and Kurt Busch rounded put the top-four. Justin Allgaier finished fifth, while RFR teammate Trevor Bayne finished 28th after his No. 6 Ford Mustang was involved in an accident.

SOURCE: Roush Fenway Racing

That’s a pretty serious stat.

At Las Vegas Motor Speedway this past weekend, practice started well on Friday afternoon, and then Renezeder qualified both trucks in the top three on Saturday morning.

The first race Saturday afternoon saw Renezeder making great moves throughout the race to score his 108th career short-course victory.  But in the parade lap following the race, he jumped on the radio and let the crew know that there was a motor issue that would need to be resolved that night.

He celebrated in victory lane, then signed some autographs and went back to work in the Pro-2.  He had several great on-track battles but ran out of laps to chase down the leaders, settling for a third-place finish — his sixth podium in as many races on the season.

Debris in the Pro-4 engine’s filters confirmed that a motor change was in order, so the crew went to work. The next morning, just three laps into a five-minute qualifying session, the back-up motor let go.  The crew would have less than three hours to do a four-hour job, and they had to figure out the culprit of two motor issues in two days.

It turned out to be an oil line to the motor that was delaminating on the inside, sending debris into the oil pump, ultimately causing both failures. The team replaced the motor again for that afternoon’s event.

Even with a seventh-place starting position, he went on to pick off all six trucks ahead of him in just 14 laps, securing his eighth Pro-4 win in nine races.

Pro-2 didn’t turn out as well.  The track just never came around to match his set up, and he spent time battling mid-pack, winding up in 10th place as the checkered flag flew.

“It’s a bummer to finish out the weekend on that note,” commented Renezeder, “but it’s good to have some homework.  I’m proud of this entire team, and we’re already looking forward to the next event in a few weeks in Lake Elsinore.”

Results from LOORRS Rounds 3 & 4 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, April 26-28 2013:

Pro-2: Rnd 3 – qualifying: 3rd; race: 3rd

Pro-4: Rnd 3 – qualifying: 2nd; race: 1st

Pro-2: Rnd 4 – qualifying: 2nd; race: 10th

Pro-4: Rnd 4 – qualifying: 7th; race: 1st

Follow the team and 8x champ Carl Renezeder throughout the season:

http://www.facebook.com/CarlRenezeder

http://www.twitter.com/teamrenezeder

The young driver finished eighth in his rookie season in the K&N Pro Series West, scoring a pair of top-five results and eight top-10 finishes. He moved East and joins Turner Scott Motorsports for a full-time campaign in 2013.

“Supporting emerging drivers in motorsports is a core value for us at KMC Wheels,” said KMC Wheels Marketing Director Rhett Sander. “We look forward to working with Austin as he continues to progress through the ranks.”

KMC Wheels designs and manufactures wheels for the automotive aftermarket. The company offers a range of products suitable for passenger cars, trucks and SUVs but specializes in styles and fitments to suit the lifted-truck segment.

Dyne, a native of Southern California, started racing go-karts in 2007 and graduated to formula cars in 2010. Racing in the Skip Barber Eastern Championship, he scored his first victory at Lime Rock Park in 2010.

In 2011, Dyne advanced to stock cars, competing in S2 and Late Models at California’s premier short track, Irwindale Speedway. His move to the K&N Pro Series East brings him head-to-head with some of the best development teams in NASCAR.

“I am very thankful for the support of KMC Wheels, and I am glad to be associated with such a great company,” said Dyne. “With a great sponsor on board, and my solid team at Turner Scott Motorsports, I think we have everything lined up this year to have a very successful season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together.”

“We’re proud to welcome KMC Wheels to the Turner Scott Motorsports family,” said Turner Scott Motorsports co-owner Harry Scott Jr. “We’re happy to have Austin on our team this year, and we all look forward to earning great finishes this season.”

KMC Wheels also backs Travis Pastrana, the action sport superstar turned racer, who is competing full-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2013 and making select appearances in the Global Rallycross Championship.

The wheel brand also supports racers in off-road, dirt track and motocross competition.

About KMC Wheels

Founded in 1982, KMC has a 30-year legacy of delivering quality aftermarket and off-road wheels at competitive prices. KMC is a Wheel Pros brand. Wheel Pros products are sold worldwide in more than 20 countries on four continents and through a U.S. network of more than 25,000 authorized dealers. It is one of the world’s largest suppliers of branded custom wheels, performance tires and related accessories for cars, SUVs and light trucks.

About Turner Scott Motorsports

Turner Scott Motorsports was established in 1999 by Texas businessman Steve Turner, who was joined by partner Harry Scott Jr. as co-owner in 2013. This season will mark the fourth season of full-time NASCAR competition for the organization, which expanded in 2011 from a two-truck operation in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) to become the largest stand-alone multi-series team in NASCAR’s top-tier touring series. The team earned its first championship when James Buescher captured the NCWTS title in 2012. Turner Scott Motorsports operates out of an 110,000 square-foot state-of-the art facility in Mooresville, N.C. The Chevrolet-backed team has created alliances with General Motors’ powerhouse team Hendrick Motorsports, which provides engine support for both its NNS and NCWTS programs, and Earnhardt Technology Group for drive train and suspension technology assistance.

More Information

For more information, contact Jen Horsey at pr@wheelpros.com or visit www.KMCWheels.com.

For more information on Turner Scott Motorsports, visit www.TurnerScottMotorsports.com

Davalos was once again on his game in Salt Lake City, setting the tone for a good day after pacing the opening practice session and posting the second-fastest time of the afternoon. In his heat race, Davalos grabbed a good start and checked out on the field to win his second consecutive heat race and prime gate pick for the main event.

Following a tough start that left him outside the top 10 initially, Davalos had his work cut out for him in the 15-lap main event. He moved into seventh by the conclusion of the opening lap and began his upward climb until securing third place on Lap four. Once in podium position Davalos pressured Cole Seely for second in the final laps, but he could not make the pass and settled for his third trip to the podium this season.

“I didn’t make it easy on myself, but I’m happy to come out with a podium finish,” said Davalos. “It wasn’t easy gaining ground or making passes, but I knew I had to keep digging to get where I wanted to be.”

Davalos moved into fifth in the championship thanks to his inspired performance. He faces a 10-point deficit to fourth heading into the final race of the season.

Rattray faced an uphill battle in the early going in Salt Lake City, posting the 11th-quickest lap time in practice. However, he rebounded to finish third in his heat race and generate some momentum heading into the main event.

Like his teammate, Rattray had his work cut out for him following a start outside the top 10 in the main event, crossing the line in 12th at the conclusion of the opening lap.  After moving into 11th, Rattray maintained the position for most of the race, but made a charge over the final five laps to break into the top 10 and finish eighth.

“It wasn’t the night we were hoping for, especially after last week’s success in Seattle,” said Rattray. “Although eighth place isn’t where we want to be, I’m happy with how I was able to move forward.”

Rattray was able to gain some ground in the championship with the top-10 result, moving from ninth into a three-way tie for eighth. He sits just nine points out of seventh heading into the season finale.

The final race of the season next weekend in Las Vegas signifies the final opportunity of the season for Davalos and Rattray to end the year on a high note. The final main event will be 15 laps of intense competition as both Western Regional Championship competitors seek to land on the podium and potentially leave Sin City with a big win.

In addition to hosting the final race of the Western Regional Championship, the Las Vegas finale also means its time for the annual East/West Shootout for the 250SX Class. Fellow Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Tyler Bowers will join Davalos and Rattray representing the Eastern Regional Championship, which will also host its final race of the 2013 season. Sam Boyd Stadium will be the site of the dramatic conclusion of Monster Energy Supercross on Saturday, May 4.

Photos courtesy Steve Cox

The 250-lap race at RIR marked the first time this season that Pastrana visited a track that he had previously raced at in the NNS. His first career NNS start came at Richmond as did his first start with Roush Fenway Racing (RFR).

“The guys really didn’t start with what we thought we had, but they really got this car working at the end and we were making some passes,” Pastrana said. “We got a top-10 finish and I’ll take it.”

Race day started off with a two and a half hour practice session, in which the No. 60 team worked to get the RFR Ford Mustang dialed in for the second night race of the season. Later in the day, teams would make their way to the track for qualifying.

Pastrana and the No. 60 team rolled of 17th for the evening’s race. At the drop of the green flag, Pastrana settled into 19th. The first caution flag of the day waved on Lap 23, with the team making their first pit stop of the day for fuel and a wedge adjustment on Lap 36.

On the ensuing restart, the No. 60 Ford Mustang was too tight for Pastrana to maneuver through the field. He dropped all the way back to 31st. As the green flag run progressed, the handling of the car became more to Pastrana’s liking, as he methodically worked his way through the field.

The caution flag came out again on Lap 101, with the No. 60 Ford Mustang down one lap to the leaders, due to the long green flag run. Crew Chief Chad Norris called Pastrana back down pit road for the second time of the night, taking four tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment.

The crew continued to work on the car, while Pastrana positioned himself in the free pass spot, as the first car one lap down. The No. 60 team ultimately received the free pass as the result of a Lap 190 caution, putting him back on the same lap as the leaders. He made his way down pit road for the final time, taking four fresh tires.

With a little over 50 laps to go, Pastrana continued his march to the front, battling hard with the top-15 drivers. The No. 60 Ford Mustang wound up crossing the finish line in ninth, besting Pastrana’s previous career-high finishes of 10th (Daytona and Las Vegas).

“We were getting bumped around like bumper cars out there,” Pastrana said. “I had so much fun. I like racing like that. I like when people are bumping me and I’m bumping people.”

Pastrana’s NASCAR Nationwide campaign is sponsored by KMC Wheels.

Brad Keselowski took the checkered flag, while NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regulars, Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch rounded out the top-three. Brian Vickers finished fourth, while Regan Smith finished fifth. RFR teammates Trevor Bayne and Ryan Reed finished 12th and 16th, respectively. Pastrana and the No. 60 RFR Ford Mustang moved up one spot to 13th in the NNS point standings.

SOURCE: Rousch Fenway Racing / PHOTO: Action Sports Photography

The duo tackled the slick and dusty course in a pair 600-horsepower Dodge Dart Rallycross cars. Neither made the podium, but the KMC-backed team is looking forward to their next shot in May.

In rallycross, drivers progress through a series of heats to a last-chance-qualifier and then to the winner-take-all final. Unfortunately Pastrana and Menzies both qualified into the same opening heat and while Pastrana moved directly to the Final, Menzies had to battle it out in the Last Chance Qualifier.

Menzies suffered bad luck when the car that was gridded in front of him stalled just a few feet from the starting line and Menzies crashed into his bumper, unable to continue. In the Final, Pastrana also got caught in a crash when all 10 cars dove into the first corner and four tangled. When a red flag stopped the race, medal favorites Pastrana, Ken Block, and Tanner Foust, along with IndyCar veteran Buddy Rice, had all suffered too much damage to restart.

Pastrana won his first Global Rallycross contest for Dodge in 2012 at the fourth round held at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He returns to rallycross this season while also contesting a full NASCAR Nationwide schedule. He scored his third top-10 finish of the season this past weekend in Richmond.

Menzies also competes for KMC Wheels in off-road and desert racing. He ran his first two rallycross events in 2012 and will take on a full 2013 schedule.

The next round for the team is in Barcelona, Spain, on May 19 at X Games. Coverage will be shown live on ESPN.