Moto XXX Motocross Round 9 Race Report: Millville, Minnesota - Dirt Rider Magazine

Moto XXX Motocross Round 9 Race Report: Millville, MinnesotaTeam Moto XXX steps up big with their best race this season-two riders inside the top 10 in the premier Motocross class.After having three races in as many weeks, the riders and teams competing in the AMA Motocross Championship welcomed a weekend off. But this past weekend it was back to business as usually as the series rolled into the Spring Creek Motocross Park in Millville, Minnesota for the ninth round of the twelve round series.The Saturday practice/qualifying sessions were cut in half as the Spring Creek facility was soaked from a rainstorm passing through the area. Once the inclement weather passed the track crew went to work and with the help of the afternoon sun improved the track conditions dramatically.Millville marked the return of the team's Japanese rider, Yoshihide Fukudome, who had been sidelined since High Point with an injured knee. After being cleared to race by the Moto XXX medical staff, "Dome" was glad to be back at the track and racing again but was admittedly not 100 percent. In addition to Fukudome, Josh Summey and Kyle Lewis also headed out for the first Motocross class practice of the day looking to familiarize themselves with the muddy track. When the session ended, Summey and Lewis easily transferred directly to the motos while Fukudome would be forced to ride the consolation moto Sunday morning.Sunday morning saw clear skies and perfect weather for a motocross race. The Spring Creek staff did an excellent job of getting the track "race ready" and it would be in prime condition by the start of first motos. The racing started off well with Fukudome taking the win in the consolation race. Unfortunately he would have to wait until moto two for his chance to earn some points.Josh Summey and Kyle Lewis lined up side-by-side for the start for the first Motocross moto. Both riders chose the right side of the box setting them up for the inside line heading down the long start straight. As the gate hit the sand, both Summey and Lewis got off the line quickly and were in good position rounding the first turn. As the pack completed the first lap Summey was in 14th position with Lewis in 16th. Immediately Summey began picking off riders and working his way into ninth position as the half way mark came out. As Summey settled into his top 10 spot, Lewis made it by a couple of riders on his way to 14th. The remainder of the moto would see no changes in position for either rider and Summey and Lewis would be credited with ninth and 14th, respectively.Due to rider injuries, Yoshihide Fukudome was able to line up for the second Motocross class moto. Fukudome chose to line up more toward the middle/outside of the gate while his two teammates opted for more inside gate choices. The gate dropped and the 40 rider field thundered down the long straight toward the sandy first turn. The pack made it through the first two turns with no problems but disaster struck as a rider hit the dirt going down the fast second straightaway. With nowhere to go, Josh Summey was collected in the carnage and would go down as well. Summey's bike would sustain minimal damage but he was able to get back underway without issue. Due to the condition of some of the downed riders the race would be red-flagged and the riders would have to start the moto all over again.Fortunately for the team, the restart of the second moto worked out in their favor. All three Moto XXX riders made it safely around the first lap with Summey and Lewis inside the top 10. Again, Summey made some quick passes and found himself in seventh position by lap four. Lewis rode consistent early on holding onto 10th for the first part of the moto. Fukudome was working his way up and when the halfway mark came out he was just outside the top 20. Up front, Summey was holding onto seventh until being passed by the series points leader and former Moto XXX rider, Tim Ferry. Josh would finish the moto strong in eighth place while Lewis, riding a consistent race, was not far behind in the 11th position. Fukudome would ride hard on his way to 21st by the end of the race, just one spot shy of the points. Overall, Josh Summey would be credited with seventh, Kyle Lewis ninth, and Yoshihide Fukudome 37th.After the race, team manager Allan Brown commented; "The team as a whole had a very good weekend, by far our best all season. Both Josh and Kyle finished inside the top 10 and it was good to have Fukudome back at the track and racing again. Hopefully next weekend he can improve his results and the whole team will be in the top 10!"Next weekend the series heads east to Export, Pennsylvania and Steel City Raceway for the tenth round of the AMA Motocross Championship. See you there!Moto XXX Racing is proudly supported by:
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