Wood, Pine and Mes Lead Monster Energy's Strong Day 2 at Loretta's
Monster Energy riders continued their momentum at Loretta Lynn's Ranch with six moto victories on Day 2, highlighted by Carson Wood's win in 250 Pro Sport, Darren Pine's victory in 450 B Limited, and Braxton Mes leading a Monster 1-2 finish in 250 B Limited.
After mediocre (for him) 4th place finish in Tuesday’s opening 250 Pro Sport Moto 1, Monster Energy’s Carson Wood (Star Racing/Yamaha) bounced back in a big way on Wednesday, winning Moto 2 and clawing his way back into title contention versus fellow Yamaha pilot, Ryder Malinoski (1-2). Wood’s victory highlighted six (6) moto victories for Monster Energy racers on Wednesday at the 45th running of the Monster Energy AMA Amateur Motocross Championship, aka “Loretta’s,” in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.
Monster Energy’s Darren Pine (Triumph) also had a big day as the Texan won the 450 B Ltd opening moto, then placed 2nd to Monster Energy’s Braxton Mes (KTM) in the second 250 B Ltd moto. Other Monster Energy Loretta’s Day 2 winners include: Tristan Pruiett (Husqvarna) in Schoolboy 2, Easton Graves (Husqvarna) in Supermini 2 and Hannah Jamison (Husqvarna) in Girls 11-16.
For Wood, a bit of poetic justice was served up following the 250 Pro Sport Moto 1, as he’d explain to MX Sports’ Jason Weigandt from the top of the Moto 2 podium. “I think I pulled a 35 (chip), and started from way outside,” said Wood of his Moto 1 gate pick. “Got a terrible start, had to push the whole way. Arms pumped up.”
Then, following his Moto 2 win on Wednesday, Wood added: “I usually have no luck here. So I’m going to try and turn things around.”
The 250 B Ltd second moto showcased a Monster Energy 1-2 finish with “Bam” Mes taking the double digit second win over 2nd place Pine. “It felt great,” said Mes of the win. “Everybody was talking about how hot it was. Definitely was hot, but not as hot as in Georgia. Some great training there with World Moto and that got me ready for this.” Mes added that he went “7-1-1 in 2024 and that won me the (85cc 10-12) championship. Darren’s (Pine) riding great, so we’re going to have to try and beat that.”
Added Pine, who topped Mes earlier in the day in the opening 450 B Ltd moto, on his 250 B Ltd second moto effort: “Yeah, I wanted to keep my win streak going there, but couldn’t find the lines. Brax (Mes) was riding good. I didn’t have anything for him that moto.”
Action continues at Loretta’s on Thursday, highlighted by Open Pro Sport, 250 B @ Women classes.
Monster Energy Loretta’s Day 2 Top Results
| 250 Pro Sport (Moto 2) | 250 B Limited (Moto 2) | Schoolboy 2 (Moto 1) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st – Carson Wood | 1st – Braxton Mes | 1st – Tristan Pruiett |
| 5th – Max Shane | 2nd – Darren Pine | 3rd – Tanner Dorman |
| Girls (11-16) (Moto 1) | 450 B Ltd (Moto 1) |
|---|---|
| 1st – Hannah Jamison | 1st – Darren Pine |
| 2nd – Tinley McCoy | 2nd – Braxton Mex |
| - | 3rd – Ries Seeba |
| Supermini 2 (Moto 1) | Open Pro Sport (Moto 1) |
|---|---|
| 1st – Easton Graves | 3rd – Kade Johnson |
Notes & Quotes
- “They’re being patient… but they’re being patient with a 1:56 lap time – which is three seconds faster than anyone on the track.” – FloRacing announcer Kevin Windham on the battle between Pine and Mes in the 250 B Ltd class. “It’s certainly a two rider breakaway.”
- “He turned on a dime and you got a nickel’s change!” – FloRacing announcer Kevin Kelly on the cornering skills of Monster Energy’s Carson Wood.
- In Wednesday’s 250 Pro Sport second moto, Monster Energy’s Kade Johnson (Kawasaki) moved up 17 positions – to 6th place, leading Windham to add: “That’s a lot of work.”
- “When a guy with that much talent finishes 4th… you just gotta wonder.” – Kelly on Carson Wood’s finish in Tuesday’s opening 250 Pro Sport moto, which Wood explains in detail above.
- Wood’s 4-1 will be put up versus Malinoski’s 1-2 in the 250 Pro Sport’s final third – and deciding – moto scheduled for a Friday 4:30 p.m. (EST) gate drop at Loretta’s.
- Monster Energy’s Easton Graves, who won the Supermini 1 Moto 1 on Tuesday, remained hot as he captured top honors in Wednesday’s Supermini 2 class on Wednesday. Monster Energy racers with two moto wins in two days at Loretta’s also includes Pine (250 & 450 B Ltd).
- How about that 1-2 Monster Energy sweep today in the Girls (11-16) class on Wednesday with Jamison winning, followed by Tinley McCoy (KTM) in 2nd.
- Another double podium finish for Monster Energy racers on Wednesday came in the Schoolboy 2 class with Pruiett winning and Danner Dorman (Yamaha) placing 2nd – his second podium of the week (2nd 250 B).
Up next… Day Three of the 45th annual running of the Monster Energy AMA Amateur Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch (or “Loretta’s” for short) is on the gate first thing Thursday morning. Monster Energy racer results here on MonsterEnergy.com, and you can follow the action “Live” at Loretta’s through www.mxsports.com and on www.floracing.com
