BLAKE BAGGETT TAKES FOURTH AT MUDDY CREEK MOTOCROSS
Yoshimura Suzuki Rider Scores Podium Result in 2nd Moto
The latest race report from the Shorai sponsored Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Race Team:
BLOUNTVILLE, TN (June 6, 2015) – Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s Blake Baggett earned another solid finish Saturday in round four of the 12-event AMA Pro Motocross Championship held at Muddy Creek Raceway in Blountville, Tennessee. Baggett raced his Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 to a 5-3 at Muddy Creek to score a fourth overall in front of a national network TV audience on NBC. The finish kept the 450 Motocross rookie squarely in the championship hunt. He’s ranked third in the series standings, just a few of points out of second.
Baggett and his Suzuki RM-Z450 once again showed good speed right from the start at the Tennessee National, placing fifth in the combined qualifying times. The track proved to be a challenge early on as well according to Baggett. “The track is definitely pretty rutted and already down to the hard base in some areas,” he explained. “It’s going to be about line choice and just keeping momentum going.”
In his worst start of the season Baggett was mired mid-pack among the 40-rider field in the early going of moto number one. It looked like any chance of a strong finish in the first moto was out the window. But again Baggett proved to be incredibly resilient and his Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 had the agility to help him maneuver through heavy traffic. In one of his best charges ever, Baggett stormed all the way back to seventh by the halfway flags, but he wasn’t finished. In the second half of the moto Baggett passed two more riders to finish a totally unexpected fifth, considering where he started.
Things went significantly smoother in moto two for Baggett. This time he was able to get the power of his Suzuki to the ground out of the gate and managed a strong start. That set him up for an outstanding finish to the day. He battled with overall winner Ryan Dungey early in the moto and about mid-way through the moto he got by Cole Seely to move into third. Baggett would finish strong earning a podium result of third in the second moto to give him the fourth overall.
As a result of his solid day at Muddy Creek Baggett is third in the standings, only three points out of second.
“I had a tough first moto,” admitted Baggett. “I got a bad start and had to come through the pack and was only able to make it to fifth. I got a great start in that second moto. I’m hoping to carry that forward and learn from that.
“I’m starting to figure things out. We’re trying to make the bike a little bit easier for me to ride. I’m a small dude, so when the bike kicks around it feels worse than it really is. I’ve just got to get used to that feeling and get better and better each week. I’ve got to give it up to the whole Yoshimura Suzuki team for giving me such a great bike.”
Yoshimura Suzuki will be back in action in the 2015 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship next Saturday, June 13, as the series moves to the legendary UPMC Sports Medicine High Point National from High Point Raceway in Mount Morris, Pennsylvania.
Fans will get the chance to meet and get an autograph from Baggett on Friday, June 12, at Morgantown Powersports, 281 Mount Morris Road, Mount Morris, PA, 15349, from 6 - 7:00 PM.
Muddy Creek 450 Motocross Results:
1. Ryan Dungey (1-2)
2. Ken Roczen (3-1)
3. Jason Anderson (2-4)
4. Blake Baggett (5-3)
5. Phil Nicoletti (4-9)
6. Cole Seely (8-5)
7. Broc Tickle (7-7)
8. Justin Barcia (9-6)
9. Weston Peick (6-11)
10. Justin Brayton (11-8)
450 Motocross Standings:
1. Ryan Dungey, 175
2. Ken Roczen, 138
3. Blake Baggett, 135
4. Eli Tomac, 125
5. Justin Barcia, 114
6. Jason Anderson, 112
7. Weston Peick, 103
8. Broc Tickle, 103
9. Phil Nicoletti, 92
10. Cole Seely, 79
Team Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing is grateful for the support of their sponsors: Yoshimura R&D, Suzuki Motor of America, Dunlop, Motorex, Showa, Renthal, Vortex, Shorai, Elf Racing Fuels, Seven, Hinson Clutch Components, RG3, Matrix, Works Connection, GET, Excel, NGK, D.I.D., Twin Air, Moto Tassinari, Roy’s Cyclery, Guts Racing Products, Mechanix Wear, Kokusan Denki, N-Style and Ogio.
About Yoshimura R&D of America: Yoshimura is “The Leader in Performance” and has been for more than 55 years. With unmatched skills, knowledge, and passion for racing, Yoshimura is on the forefront of the aftermarket exhaust industry. Yoshimura pipes are race bred and feature the same legendary performance, fit and quality that has been their trademark for more than five decades. To learn more about Yoshimura and view their wide variety of performance products, visit www.yoshimura-rd.com.
About Shorai
Founded in 2010 and based in Morgan Hill, CA, Shorai, Inc. has quickly become the world's best-known producer of lithium ion power sports batteries. Shorai is leading the conversion from traditional lead-acid batteries to lighter, more efficient and higher performance lithium starter batteries. For more information visit www.shoraipower.com.
About Suzuki: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (SMAI) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Outboard Motors and Automotive Parts and Accessories via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. SMAI’s supplier, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles and Outboard Motors. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has 147 distributors in 201 countries. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com