Irvine, Calif.  ”“ Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Josh Creamer earned his season-best finish with a second overall during the ninth round of the AMA ATV National Motocross Championship Series at Pleasure Valley MX in Armagh, Pa. Creamer went 1-3 on the day, taking the holeshot in moto one and going on to win his first moto of the season wire to wire. Teammates Keith Little and Russell Shumaker also showed their speed as they finished inside the top 10 in fifth and eighth.

Creamer came out in the first moto ready to tackle the rain-soaked track. He pulled the holeshot and was gone, winning his first moto of the year. In the second moto, he got pinched off and came out in eighth. He rode hard and was closing in on third when there was a brief five-minute downpour. Keeping it smooth, Creamer gained a position when the leader slid out, finishing the day with a 1-3.

Also earning his best moto finish of the year was Little in the first moto. He got a great start and moved through the pack to end the moto in fourth. Again in the second moto, he jumped off the line, came around the first turn in the top five and finished the moto sixth.

““I was pretty stoked with my finish in the first moto,” said Little. ““Unfortunately in the second moto, I had just gone through all my tear-offs when it started to rain so I had to throw off my goggles and ride through it. The track was really slick and I had to just squint my way through the rest of the race.”

Little has been practicing a lot at his home in Alabama and it really showed during the weekend.

““I’ve been working really hard in between races and I am really happy that it’s finally showing,” said Little. ““I just want to get home, step it up even more and hopefully get further inside the top five.”

Last race, Shumaker earned his best finish of the season and in Pennsylvania he continued his hot run to finish eighth overall.

““When the rain came in the second moto, I just tried to keep it consistent and make it through,” said Shumaker. ““The rain made the track really sketchy, but I held on to it and I am really happy with my finish.”

In the first moto, Creamer made an incredible save to earn the holeshot in the first moto. He was basically on one wheel just before the holeshot line and brought it down to take the lead.

““I couldn’t believe I actually saved it,” said Creamer. ““I thought for sure I was going down but I held on and was able to stay in front.”

Just when the riders thought they were clear of the rain, it came with only four laps left of the second moto. The rain didn’t last long but it was hard and it made the track extremely slick.

““The rain didn’t exactly help the track,” said Shumaker. ““The track conditions were already really fast and the rain made it even more interesting. I just tried to hold on the best I could to get a good overall.”

The Monster Energy Kawasaki team has steadily progressed throughout the season with Pleasure Valley MX being the best overall team finish. The team saw one moto win, five top-10 moto finishes, and another podium. The team will use this great weekend as momentum for the next race in two weeks.

The next race that the ATV riders will be at is Red Bud, one of America’s most adored tracks by both fans and riders. With each rider having ridden the track, all are excited to get out and bring in great results.

““I am really excited to ride at Red Bud,” said Little. ““Its one of my favorite tracks to ride. It’s rough and long, which will really separate the riders unlike this track. This one was really fast. I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

AMA ATV National Championship Series
Pleasure Valley MX ”“ Armagh, Pa.
July 13, 2008

Pro Class Overall Results (Moto Finishes)
1.    Doug Gust, Salem, Wis., Suzuki, 2-1
2.    JOSH CREAMER, N. STONINGTON, CONN., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 1-3
3.    Dustin Wimmer, Center Valley, Pa., Suzuki, 3-4
4.    Jeremy Lawson, Battletown, Ky., Can Am, 6-2
5.    KEITH LITTLE, SPRUCE PINE, ALA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 4-6
6.    Greg Gee, Simcoe, Ontario, Can Am, 5-9
7.    Joe Byrd, Union City, Tenn., Honda, 8-8
8.    RUSSELL SHUMAKER, BRISTOL, WIS., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 7-11
9.    Sage Baker, Shasta Lake, Calif., Can Am, 12-7
10.    Rocco Arno, Jr., Bridgeton, N.J., Honda, 14-10

Pro Class Point Standings
1.    Dustin Wimmer, Center Valley, Pa., Suzuki, 367
2.    Joe Byrd, Union City, Tenn., Honda, 288
3.    Doug Gust, Salem, Wis., Suzuki, 280
4.    JOSH CREAMER, N. STONINGTON, CONN., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 242
5.    Jeremy Lawson, Battletown, Ky., Can Am, 233
6.    John Natalie, Jr., Houtzdale, Pa., Can Am, 214
7.    Harold Goodman, Romulus, Mich., Honda, 209
8.    Josh Upperman, Louisville, Ohio, Honda, 182
9.    Chad Weinen, Galena, Ill., Suzuki, 174
10.    Rocco Arno, Jr., Bridgeton, N.J., Honda, 164
11.    KEITH LITTLE, SPRUCE PINE, ALA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 151
13. RUSSELL SHUMAKER, BRISTOL, WIS., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 139