Nick Daniels Scorches I-70 Speedway Supermoto
Round 6: Central U.S. Supermoto Championships
Odessa, MO, July 24, 2005 – The inaugural race at I-70 Speedway went of in one worst heat wave’s Missouri has ever seen. The plus 100 degree temperature played a toll on rider and spectator turnout, but close to 50 riders still braved the sun and put on one of the most spectacular Supermoto events this young sport has seen. The I-70 Speedway crew built a track reminiscence of the original ABC Superbikers combining an almost 90 miles per hour high bank with a motocross, flat track and TT racing disciplines. The course almost a one mile long combination of dirt, sand and pavement had lap times by some of the best Supermoto racers in the Midwest at almost 2 minutes. Combined with operational assistance from Gateway Supermoto, the I-70 Speedway crew put on a wonderful event, and riders raved about the course, mostly saying it was the most fun they’ve ever had on a Supermoto bike.
Each of the five main events of the day gridded riders for the Open Money finale, which featured a $2000 Purse. The first main, the 250cc class, had the Scotty’s Speed Shop/Fat Boy Racing/Marin Cycles/Rentasportbike.com/Arai/Michelin/Fastway/Oxtar/Works Connection/Kushitani/Pinit/Utopia/Umbrella Girls USA Honda of Matt Pursley running away from the field in a dominating performance landing him on the front row for the finale.
The 450cc class featured a terrific battle between the KTM of Gary Dick and the bone stock Donnell’s Suzuki DRZ400 of Jesse George. George putting on an amazing display of riding through the dirt was no match in the end though for Gary Dick’s consistency and experience. For his effort Dick also landed a front row start for the finale.
The fastest main event of the day was the Open Premier class. With the winner getting the pole position for the finale, it featured a good battle between the premier riders of the day with Nick Daniels on an AXO/Utopia/Michelin/Fastway/Arai/Works Connection/Marshall Racing/Scotty’s Speed Shop sponsored Fat Boy Racing Honda taking the holeshot followed by the RJ Performance/Maxxis Tires Yamaha of Matt Burton. Proving to be a preview of the finale Daniels and Burton fought it out lap after lap in the extreme heat with Burton taking the eventual win over Daniels.
The final class to grid riders for the finale was the Sport Moto class, which proved to feature one of the best rides of the day put in by Shrout’s sponsored, Joey Stephens. Stephens put some amazing lap times together to give Shrout’s a one-two punch as Brian Shrout finished second. With his win Stephens would be the final rider to get a front row start for the finale.
After a lunch break to give the riders and track workers a needed rest, the fans grabbed the last call for refreshments in the air conditioned suites and prepared to watch the $2000 finale. Nick Daniels grabbed the holeshot from the second row and led the pack down the front straight and around the high bank. He was followed by main event winners Matt Burton, Joey Stephens and Gary Dick. 250cc winner Matt Pursley suffered a horrible start with his smaller bike and went into the dirt section just outside the top five. Daniels, Burton and Stephens immediately started distancing themselves from the field. At the half way flags Burton put an incredible move on Daniels into turn three coming off the banking, sliding his YZF450 underneath Nick to take the lead. Stephens, using stock wheels had started to lose touch at this point and Pursley finally worked his way into forth struggling to pass the bigger bikes on his 250. The leading duo continued to pull away with Daniels matching every move Burton made. Going into the last lap Daniels had himself glued to Burton’s rear wheel and decided to take the outside through the sand in a last chance effort to pass Burton. Surprised by the move Burton could not block Daniels line and lost the lead. Burton hung close and gave one last effort coming off pit road onto the front straight but lost traction letting Nick Daniels take the checkered flag and the larger share of the purse. Stephens rode a smooth race to third followed by Pursley and Luke Stolfus.
Other winners for the day included Kevin Brown in the Vet class and Rich King/WER/Tuff Plates/Motul/MSR/FMS sponsored Kevin Walter in the Minis. Form more information on the Central US Supermoto Championships goto
http://www.gatewaysupermoto.com/cussc. Also, look for more upcoming events at I-70 Speedway at
http://www.i70speedway.net.
Results:
Open Money: 1. Nick Daniels (Hon) ; 2. Matt Burton (Yam); 3. Joey Stephens (Suz); 4. Matt Pursley (Hon); 5. Luke Stolfus (Hon); 6. Gary Dick (KTM); 7. Danny Stookesberry (Yam); 8. Terry Meyer (Yam); 9. Brian Shrout (Yam); 10. Stuart Sinclair (Yam)
Premier Open: 1. Matt Burton (Yam); 2. Nick Daniels (Hon); 3. Gary Dick (KTM); 4. Danny Stookesberry (Yam); 5. Terry Meyer (Yam); 6. Mark Brunk (KTM)
450: 1. Gary Dick (KTM); 2. Jesse George (Suz); 3. Dan Jackson (Hon); 4. Scott Ackerman (Suz); 5. Kyle Ficenec (Yam); 6. Randy Weldon (KTM)
250: 1. Matt Pursley (Yam); 2. Stuart Sinclair (Yam); 3. Justin Hite (Yam); 4. Brett Shrout (Suz); 5. Kevin Walter (KTM)
Sport Moto: 1. Joey Stephens (Suz); 2. Brian Shrout (Yam); 3. Luke Stolfus (Hon); 4. Ryan Rohleder (Yam); 5. Dave Wamker (Hon); 6. Dan Johnson (Hon)
Vet: 1. Kevin Brown (Hbg); 2. Walter Bass (KTM); 3. Jim Pursley (KTM)
Mini: 1. Kevin Walter (KTM)
Central US SM Championships -Round 6 - I-70 Speedway
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