Westley Wolfe Race Report: Daytona ATVSX and Rounds 1-3

TimeWednesday, May 11, 2016 | 7:40 AM

Westley Wolfe
ATVMX Race Report: Daytona ATVSX and Rounds 1-3
May 11, 2016

Westley Wolfe is setting himself up for a successful season in the 2016 ProX ATV Motocross National Championship (ATVMX) series. Between racing the ATVMX and GNCC series, Wolfe has been busy proving that he has what it takes to contend for both the Pro-Am and Pro Sport National Championships.

Wolfe kicked off his ATVMX season with the Second Annual FLY Racing ATV Supercross (ATVSX) at the iconic Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The race took place Tuesday, March 8, just three days after Wolfe claimed his first podium of the year at the season opening Wild Boar GNCC.

Although the ATVSX signifies the beginning of race season, the event does not pay amateur points. However, the race provides racers with an excellent opportunity to see where they stand in their respective classes before the amateur opening event in Kemp, Texas.

Wolfe used the Daytona ATV Supercross to his advantage as he judged where he stood against the many heavy hitters in the Pro Sport and Pro-Am classes. Photo: Amber Wolfe

The ATVSX follows a Supercross setup, unlike the rest of the series that is the traditional motocross format. After qualifying for the main events with a fifth in Pro Sport and a third in Pro-Am, the Maryland native was ready to take to the unique venue for the main events. Wolfe would struggle off the start in both main events where he would get off to a last place start. Wolfe was able to find a way to maneuver the tight track and work diligently to make enough passes to finish eighth in Pro Sport and fourth in Pro-Am.

“I knew I had trained harder in the off-season than my result showed down in Daytona,” said Wolfe. “Once I got back home I just put in a little more time and effort into my program. It’s been an adjustment moving into the Pro-Am class this year, but I learn something new every race that I can improve on and it’s all starting to work together.”

Wolfe on his way to pulling the holeshot in the Pro Sport division at the Muddy Creek National in April. Photo: Amber Wolfe

Wolfe capitalized on extra time between the ATVSX and the Underground National in Texas. With nearly a month between the two races, Wolfe spent countless hours training and riding to improve his finishes. After placing sixth in the first Pro Sport moto Wolfe came back to take the win in the second moto, a finish good enough to get him second overall.

Once the gate dropped for the first Pro-Am moto in Texas, Wolfe found himself in the rear but quickly became a man on a mission. While the top three had pulled away from the rest of the field, Wolfe was sitting around fifth. Once making his was into second, Wolfe charged hard to take the win on the last lap. The speed and ability that Wolfe showcased during the first moto was almost unbelievable that he was able to gain that much time and eventually pass the leader. Wolfe would see one of his best battles thus far in the season as he contested for the win in the second moto, but would end up crossing the line in third for second overall.

Just two weeks later the series moved to Muddy Creek Raceway in Blountville, Tennessee. Wolfe pulled both holeshots in Pro Sport class going 1-1 for the overall win. In Pro-Am Wolfe got third in his heat, and found himself in an unfortunate situation in the second moto when he got tangled up with another rider putting him back into 16th for ninth overall.

Wolfe pictured on the podium after going 1-1 in the Pro Sport division in Tennessee. Photo: Amber Wolfe

Rain would make its way back to the third round of the season this past weekend, May 7 and 8, at Ironman Raceway. After getting tangled up off the start of the first moto in Pro Sport, Wolfe found himself in the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) where he took the win. Once Sunday came along he was ready for the second moto of Pro Sport in addition to the two Pro-Am motos that follow.

In the second moto of Pro Sport, Wolfe was running first when he wrecked ultimately putting him in 19th place overall. After getting off to a top five start in the first Pro-Am moto and working his way right behind the leader, Wolfe spun out in the slick mud and would end up crossing the line in eighth.

The rain would eventually deteriorate the track forcing track officials to cancel the remaining second motos on Sunday with the exception of Pro-Am. Facing possibly the worst track conditions of the entire weekend, Wolfe found himself in a favorable position off the start and lead every lap to finish fourth overall.

After making the pass for the lead in Pro Sport at Ironman, Wolfe encountered a mistake where he crashed, but was able to get back up and contine the race in addition to competing in the following two Pro-Am motos. Photo: Provided

On the off weekends for ATVMX, Wolfe has also been participating in the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series in the XC2 Pro-Am division. The 17-year-old currently sits second in the points championship and is on a two race winning streak.

Wolfe continues his journey for the 2016 Pro-Am and Pro Sport championships in two weeks at his home track of High Point Raceway in Mount Morris, Pennsylvania.

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