Grant Grabs Third Straight Podium
Laninovich nabs top ten in first Supercross
Daytona, Fla. ~ If Josh Grant could have held on during the first round of the AMA Supercross Lites East Series four weeks ago, he could be sitting on the heels of points leader Davi Millsaps. Instead, the two crashes that forced the young SoBe/Samsung/AMSOIL rider out of that race has left Grant on a mission to close the gap with just five races left on the East schedule.
Speed was on tap for the Californian during the annual Daytona Bike Week, and Grant and his teammate Tommy Hahn were on a tear. In the first heat of the Lites class, it was Hahn’s chance to get into the winner’s circle. He got a great jump out of the gate and grabbed the holeshot. Hahn would dominate the circuit, holding the lead from start to finish for his first Supercross heat race of the year and transferring him directly to the main.
Grant, who has a first and second place finish the past two weeks, was up in the next heat race. The holeshot once again went to an AMSOIL rider as Grant grabbed the lead in the first turn. Millsaps settled in behind Grant and the two Honda riders immediately pulled a huge lead over third place. Grant would bobble in the whoops on lap four, leaving the door open for Millsaps. Grant finished comfortably in second.
In the main, Grant was once again battling for the holeshot. He just missed getting the lead position in turn one and quickly settled in behind Millsaps. The duo again moved their Honda four-strokes into a commanding lead over the rest of the field.
While those two battled uncontested up front, it was Grant’s teammate, Hahn, who was making the biggest noise. The Kansas-born rider came from way back in the pack to catch the third and fourth place riders with just three laps to go. With two laps to go, the fourth place rider went of the track, allowing Hahn to move into fourth. When the checkered flag dropped, Grant was once again in second and Hahn had secured a very respectable fourth, his best finish of the year.
Laninovich shows talent in higher class
With Mike LaRocco and Kevin Windham both on the shelf, the SoBe/Samsung/AMSOIL team needed someone to ride the big Honda 450 in the Supercross class. In stepped Lites rider Billy Laninovich, who has been riding for the team in the West Coast series this year.
Laninovich, looked solid on the bigger bike despite only riding the thumper for less than two weeks. He missed the cut in his first heat race but made up for it in his semi-final contest. He moved into an early lead and was able to hold off the second place rider for the win.
In the main, the competition included the sport’s best, but the young Californian was able to hold his own. He battled about mid-pack the entire race and was able to land a top 10, finishing ninth in the first Supercross main of his career. He is expected to ride the 450 again this weekend in Orlando, but he will also be joined by star rider Kevin Windham. K-Dub is expected to line up for his first race of the 2006 season after breaking his arm during a practice run in December. For a complete schedule of the AMA Supercross Series Click Here.
Eckstrom Grabs Two Top Tens
West Yellowstone, Mont., ~ Team AMSOIL snocross rider D.J. Eckstrom finished in the top 10 in both the Pro Open and Pro Stock classes of the World Power Sports Association (WPSA) races held over the weekend. Eckstrom turned in another strong performance and stayed in the hunt for the Pro Open season points championship.
Eckstrom won his first Pro Stock heat and finished in the top three in the following two heats, qualifying for a front-row start in the final. Eckstrom ran a solid race and finished in sixth place.
On Friday’s practice runs, Eckstrom’s Pro Open sled was red hot. While there were no malfunctions, the sled didn’t respond as well on Saturday. After starting the final in the second row, Eckstrom made some smooth passes to finish the race in eighth.
Fellow Team AMSOIL snocross rider Carl Schubitzke was slowed from a rib injury he suffered in Green Bay and did not make the final in either class.
The AMSOIL riders will be back in action for the final time this weekend at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wis. The race marks the tenth and final stop of the WPSA. The Green Bay race will air this Friday afternoon on ESPN 2 (check local listings).
Smith Battles Rain, Still Wins Two
Young rider finishes with two top fives in pro class
Roberval, Quebec ~ Despite temperatures drifting into the 40-degree range, and a weekend full of rain, Team AMSOIL oval ice racer Jason Smith was able to overcome the obstacles for a strong showing at the Desjardins Grand Prix of Roberval.
On Saturday, Smith was on his semi-pro sled first. He once again showed why he is one of the up and coming riders on the Eastern Pro Tour, grabbing wins in his heat race and the final. He then switched to pro class and kept the momentum going by winning his first heat race. In the second round, Smith derailed his sled, but was still able to advance to the final. In the main, he was running in fourth with three laps to go. He made a late charge on the leader, and finished inches behind eventual winner Phil Moulton.
On Sunday, Smith once again had a flawless day on the semi-pro sled. He won his heat and the final, taking home the EPT title in the process. In the pro class, he finished second in both rounds of qualifying, meaning a good starting spot in the main. In the final, he headed into the first corner in fourth and stayed there until the checkered flag dropped. Smith finished second in the season long pro points race.
Co-op Sponsorships
If you are an AMSOIL Dealer looking to sponsor a local racer through the AMSOIL Co-op Race Program, please fill out the G-2074 and send it the AMSOIL Racing Department. Teams who were sponsored last year will need to fill out the form once again. Also, please remember to send in your race results, as they will be included in the Checkered Flag.
More From Team AMSOIL
Team AMSOIL rider Darrin Mees has been on the move the past few weeks. Three weeks ago, Mees jumped up to the semi-pro class of the Rock Maple Racing Association. In Scghatikoke, N.Y., he took first in the stock class. At Skowhegan, Maine a week later, Mees took another win in the stock class. Last weekend in Old Forge, N.Y., he won the mod class, but was unable to finish in the stock class. He was also rewarded the “Rising Star” award by RMR.
