Phoenix Racing Honda Ready for 2019 Racing Season

SALISBURY, NC (January 24, 2019) – The Phoenix Racing Honda team will continue its role as off-road racing’s super team in 2019, running in four series with nine racers. The team, based out of its sprawling headquarters outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, will be providing trackside support and racing in the Kicker Arenacross Pro Series, AMA Supercross 250SX East series, Grand National Cross Country series (GNCC), and the AMA ATV Motocross National Championship. 

"Phoenix Racing Honda’s passion for racing is unmatched, and we’re proud to have them Riding Red in so many different series—now including off-road with GNCC XC1 and XC2 classes in addition to ATVMX, East 250 Supercross and the Kicker Arenacross series,” said Brandon Wilson, Manager of Advertising & Motorcycle Sports at American Honda. “GNCC will be an exciting new experience for David Eller and his team, but we know they’re up to the challenge." 

Phoenix Racing has already shown it remains just as competitive as it was in 2018, with Jace Owen riding his Honda to eight consecutive victories in the Kicker Arenacross Pro Series. In fact, Owen has won every Pro main held thus far this season in the 250 and Open Pro classes. He is joined this season by teammates Isaac Teasdale and Swedish racer Fredrik Noren. After the Arenacross season ends, Owen will head to the AMA Supercross 250SX East series. 

“My Phoenix Racing Honda is working so well,” said Owen. “All of the companies that are supporting us put me here. I’ve raced Arenacross for a few years now, and it definitely raises the aggression level.” 

In GNCC, the team is expanding its lineup for 2019 with the addition of adding Honda motorcycle racers Andrew Delong and Austin Lee, in the XC1 and XC2 Pro classes, respectively.  Also, Joel Hetrick, the 2017 ATV Motocross National Champion, will also compete in select GNCC rounds in the XC1 Pro ATV class, and Grayson Eller will continue where he left off in 2018, running College B ATV, while Noah Mickelson will run College A ATV.

“I’ve been riding with a lot of guys the past couple of years; I mixed it up in the woods and they hounded me to try it,” said Hetrick. “I figured what the heck? It would improve my mud riding. My goal next year is to race enough GNCCs to be a top-10 rider and to also win the ATVMX Championship.” 

Hetrick will also be seeking redemption in ATV Motocross after finishing second in the 2018 points chase by a single point. He will be joined in the Pro class by 2018 Pro Rookie of the Year Haedyn Mickelson along with his brother, Noah Mickelson, will be vying for the Pro-Am title.  Grayson Eller will return to Pro Sport and 450A after being sidelined last season with a broken wrist.

“Missing out on the 2018 title was a tough break, but it’s also one of those things that will make me a better rider,” said Hetrick. “I won’t put myself in the position of only being 10 points ahead going into the last race. It definitely put some fire under me that will be hard to stop.” 

Check out Phoenix Racing as its world-class Hondas lead the field. The next Pro Arenacross race is scheduled for February 1-2 in Denver. The GNCC Series begins February 23 at Big Buck in South Carolina. ATV Motocross will begin its 2019 season during the Daytona Supercross March 12.