Another big day for Monster Energy’s Drew Adams @ Loretta’s Day 3 + double wins for Dane Pappas & Owen Covell

With all eyes on the top dogs in Thursday’s Open Pro Sport class at the 43rd running of the Monster Energy AMA Amateur Motocross Championship, presented by AMSOIL, Monster Energy’s Drew Adams (Kawasaki) came through yet again with the Moto 2 victory (to go with the Moto 1 victory on Wednesday), taking a decisive 1-1 lead into Open Pro Sport’s final and deciding moto this Saturday.

Adams steered clear of the issues that plagued him in the opening 250 Pro Sport moto (first turn crash on Tuesday) and ripped out to a 2nd place position a few turns into the Open Pro Sport Moto 2. Monster Energy’s Avery Long (Yamaha) would challenge Adams in the opening laps as they chased race leader Noah Stevens (KTM).

By Lap 3 Adams would lose both Long and Stevens with a blistering 1:51.106 lap, the fastest lap of the day, while taking over the moto lead with 18 minutes remaining. With ten laps completed, Adams had extended his lead over 2nd place Long to 17 seconds.

“That was a lot better start. Banged some bars on the first lap and we got to the front,” said Adams. “Track’s rough today, but also dry and slick. So definitely tough conditions, but we got the win and will keep trying to do that.”

All totaled Monster Energy-backed racers at Loretta’s scored an impressive ten moto wins on Thursday’s Day 3 of competition – including double wins by Dan Pappas and Owen Cowell. Joining Adams atop the podiums were: Caden Dudney (250 B), Seth Dennis (250 B Limited), Aidan Zingg (Supermini 1), Dane Pappas (Mini Sr. 2 and Mini Sr. 2), Jaxson Pascal (College), Owen Cowell (125 Jr. B/C and Schoolboy 1) and Mayla Herrick (Girls).

Monster Energy Loretta’s Day 3 Top Results

Open Pro Sport                                     250 B

1st – Drew Adams                                  1st – Caden Dudney

2nd – Avery Long                                    2nd –  Landen Gordon

3rd – Parker Ross                                   3rd –­­­ Logan Best

250 B Limited                                       Supermini 1

1st – Seth Dennis                                   1st – Aidan Zingg

2nd – Grayson Townsend                        2nd – Grant McDonald

450 B Limited                                       Mini Sr. 2

2nd – Diesel Thomas                              1st – Dane Pappas

3rd – Max Shane                                    2nd – Kevyn Dephino

Mini Sr. 1                                             College

1st – Dane Pappas                                  1st – Jaxon Pascal

125 Jr. B/C                                            Schoolboy 1

1st – Owen Covell                                  1st – Owen Covell

Girls                                                     Jr. 25+

1st – Mayla Herrick                                3rd – Cole Martinez

Notes & Quotes

• “Track’s really rough, I got another good start, I passed Landen in the first few corners. Got into the lead and then limited the mistakes.” – Monster Energy/Team Green/Kawasaki’s Caden Dudney on his 250 B Moto 2 win.
• Dudney also in that moto was the first racer of the week to put up a 1:51 laps – fastest lap of the week (until Drew Adams went faster in Open Pro Sport).
• “Put a little push in, figured I’d save my energy for Moto 3 and come out swinging. Need a better pace in the beginning. We’ll get it done Moto 3.” 250 B 2nd place finisher Landen Gordon (Monster Energy/Team Green/Kawasaki) in his Thursday moto, along with his thought on the looming 250 B Moto 3 deciding battle with teammate Dudney.
• “Kawi is not afraid to put their best riders against each other.” – MX Sports Loretta’s Live announcer Jason Weigandt on the numerous Kawasaki teammates battling this week at Loretta’s, specifically citing Monster Energy/Team Green’ Caden Dudney vs. Landen Gordon.
• “I was 14th gate pick, pulled a 3rd place start, then I got around Tanner (Dorman/KTM) and I think Reis (Seeba/KTM) slid out – and that’s a bummer. But I just rode my race from then on.” Monster Energy’s Mini Sr. 1 class winner Dane Pappas (Gas Gas)
• “Got off to a better start than I have all week. Third or fourth lap I got into the lead. … Gold’s where I belong.” – Monster Energy’s 125 Jr. B/C moto winner Owen Covell (Yamaha)
• “Landed in the deep stuff. Tucked the front, went head over heels. Thank god we’re OK.” Monster Energy’s Cole Martinez (Honda) on his Jr. 25+ moto crash on Thursday. Rallied back to 3rd place.
• “I mean, I was leading, I made a mistake in the rollers and she (Lachlan “La La” Turner/Gas Gas) caught up to me… we banged bars and both crashed, but I got up and gave it everything I had.” – Monster Energy’s Mayla Herrick (Honda), the Girls class second moto winner, who’s tied with Turner going into the final moto.
• “Got the holeshot… never gotten a holeshot at a big national. That was SICK! Noah (Stevens/KTM) executed his strategy well, but I tried to hit every single line he hit. Then he went down at the halfway mark and I said, ‘Thank you, god.’” – Monster Energy’s Jaxson Pascal (Honda) in winning the College class Moto 2.
• “I finally got a descent start, 4th the first lap, then passed up to second then (Carson Wood/Monster Energy/Team Green/Kawasaki) crashed and I almost hit him. Then just rode my own race from there.” – Monster Energy Aidan Zingg (KTM) on his Supermini 1 Moto 2 win.
• “Heck yeah! There you go kids. Never give up. That’s your last lap proof right there.” Monster Energy’s Ricky Carmichael on Loretta’s Live describing the last turn pass by Monster Energy’s Grant McDonald (KTM) on Kane Bollasina (KTM) for 2nd place in the second Supermini 1 moto.

Up next…

Day Four of the 43rd annual running of the Monster Energy AMA Amateur Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch (or “Loretta’s” for short) is on the gate Friday morning. Monster Energy racer results here on MonsterEnergy.com, and follow the action “Live” at Loretta’s through www.mxsports.com