Can-Am® DS 450™ racers competed at round nine of the 2014 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship Series held at Loretta Lynn’s Motocross in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. Can-Am racer Josh Creamer earned his first Pro class podium of the season while fellow DS 450 pilot Jeffrey Rastrelli secured the Pro-Am class championship with a victory at the series finale.

“We had a good showing at Loretta Lynn’s in Tennessee. We secured the Pro-Am class championship with Jeffrey Rastrelli and earned second overall in the Pro class championship points race with Joel Hetrick,” said Jeff Leclerc, Racing Project Leader, Can-Am. “The finale was also big for Josh Creamer, as he easily won the second Pro class moto on his way to earning his first Pro class podium finish of the season.”

The finale of the nine-leg AMA-sanctioned ATV MX Championship Series, Can-Am Dirt Days, stopped at Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch to cap another season of Pro and amateur ATV motocross racing. The weather played a role at the final round, too, as hot temperatures, high humidity and rain all worked against the racers. In fact, heavy rain fell at the start of the second Pro class moto, soaking the track and adding mud into the equation.

Heading into the final round, JB Racing / DWT / Mtn. Dew Live Wire / Can-Am DS 450 Pro Joel Hetrick sat comfortably in second place, but needed a decent finish to ensure his best career Pro finish. The day started well for Hetrick, as he grabbed a top-five start in moto one. The Can-Am racer ended up with a hard-fought third-place finish. However, a poor start combined with moto two’s muddy conditions left Hetrick pushing for hard to preserve his points lead for second in the class standings. He ended up eighth in the moto, which, when combined with his first-moto score, was good for second overall for the season.

BCS Performance / Can-Am racer Josh Creamer put together his best two-moto scorecard of the year at Loretta’s, despite the conditions. After a solid fourth-place finish in moto one, Creamer grabbed the holeshot in the second moto, with JB Racing / Cheerwine / Can-Am Pro Jeffrey Rastrelli tucked in second. Creamer used the clear track to his advantage and easily won the moto to notch his first moto win of the year and his first podium. He ended up second overall with a 4-1 score.

“It’s been a tough season for us, but we finally got back on the podium and it feels really good. It’s a great way to end the season; taking the last moto win and being on the podium,” said Creamer. “I really have to thank Jason and the crew at BCS, Can-Am, Walsh, FOX and all of my sponsors for all of their help this year.”

Rastrelli ended up ninth (6-12) in the Pro Class and BCS Performance / Can-Am racer Ronnie Higgerson was 12^th. These two also battled it out for the Pro-Am class championship on Sunday. Rastrelli led both motos from start to finish to post his third win of the year. The victory also earned him the Pro-Am class championship by 18 points over Higgerson, who was competing on a fractured leg and took fifth at Loretta’s. 

“I was really hoping to come to Loretta’s and get on the (Pro) podium again, but that didn’t happen,” said Rastrelli. “Pro-Am went great, though. I got the points lead away from Ronnie (Higgerson) at Red Bud and I was hoping to keep it and get that championship. Unfortunately for Ronnie, he wasn’t at 100 percent yet, so I was able to go out there and get both moto wins and get the championship. My Can-Am was running great out there and had so much power. It really helped to get me that win.”

For more information on 2014 Can-Am racing, the contingency program and all amateur racer support programs, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.