Horsepower robbing soil and braking bumps that nearly have riders looking like bull riders instead of the usually seemingly smooth flow that leads to insane speeds. Of course, if you like it rough, Redbud will hand you more than ample challenge from gate drop to checkered flag as the changing soil gets pulverized by row after row of racers that put themselves to the challenge as some excel and others end up racing for survival. This is what makes Redbud so special!

For the Pro class, this set of moto’s has been key as the points battle between Wienen Motorsports/Maxxis/SSi Decals/Fly Racing/Yamaha’s Chad Wienen and Phoenix Racing/CST Tires/Elka/Moose Racing’s Joel Hetrick has waged ruthlessly at this round for several seasons with wins falling to each as the championship hunt hits the rev limiter as they head to the final round. This season, Hetrick has the upper hand in points heading into the Redbud round and knew what he had to do to keep the lead regardless of those looking to unseat him and the coveted red plate which once again, Wienen finds himself the closest knight to slaying the dragon.

This season is not as intense as we have seen with a razor thin points battle, and Wienen has to be perfect and hope Hetrick finds issues if any breathing room can be found. This round is another that favors Wienen as he towers above Hetrick in size only which gives him the added bonus when the gate drops, and he can use the extra size to work through a demanding track. For Hetrick, he hasn’t seemed to give up anything in any fight and would prove in qualifying he was blazing fast as he secured the fastest qualifying time of the day leaving his competitors notice that he was the man to beat. 

The weather which can run the full gamut here in this region was not going to be any real factor as beautiful skies gave way to near perfect temperatures allowing everyone a respite from sweltering heat and humidity. The gate for moto one was being loaded as all attention turned to the riders who were about to throw down for one of their final four motos of the 2022 season.

Hetrick fired off the gate in the fury of a pro start that had everyone clawing in the loose soil for traction. The intensity through the first turn was immense and coming through the section it was Hetrick indeed out front and securing the moto one holeshot. The battle was on as Hetrick appeared to have his Yamaha dialed and was having his own race as he pulled a substantial lead. Behind him, Wienen was doing everything to get close enough to make things interesting but the #88 of Hetrick was not going anywhere except to the podium. With Hetrick taking the moto one win, Wienen found himself with a successful second however it wasn’t good enough as his team went to their pits to mull over every detail as a plan was put into place for the second moto. GennUSA Racing/Integrated Financial Concepts/CST Tires/Walsh Race Craft’s Nick Gennusa finally found some of what he has been looking for after a great first moto taking third. Gennusa has had a rollercoaster season however he seems to be putting things back together and is proving he can run upfront.

Moto two was headed to the gate as the mood changed from fun to work. There was only one speed Wienen needed and that was wide open but putting Hetrick behind him has proven to be a real chore but one that had to be done, nonetheless. The gated dropped as the field appeared to have a very even jump as attention turned to the first turn and the straight chute where the holeshot was decided. This moto it was Wienen taking the coveted holeshot and now it was his turn to ride in clean air and force Hetrick to catch him. 

There was a problem with the process because it soon became apparent Hetrick was fully satisfied with running in second as his eyes remained on the prize of retaking the championship. The track was even more brutal than the first as several riders were faced with making mistakes and conditioning was definitely going to be a factor as the laps racked up.

Racing ended as Wienen sent his YFZ high into the air to secure the moto win as well as the overall however the efforts were not enough to do any real damage in the points as Hetrick powered in for second. The championship will be decided once again at the final round at Loretta Lynn’s where we have seen the highs, lows and everything in between play out.

Rastrelli Racing/FXR Moto/Rocket Machine Design’s Jeffrey Rastrelli looked to be fighting all day and that work would pay off in moto two. Rastrelli went 5-3 for third overall and exclaimed from the podium that this track was the most insanely brutal track he had ever raced on. Nothing comes easy at Redbud and Rastrelli looks to carry this momentum into the final round. 

Musick Racing/Déjà vu/Kenda Tires’ Brandon Hoag put in a solid effort and would go 4-4 for fourth however it wasn’t the result he was looking for. Hoag has one more chance to shine this season and currently is ranked third in points.

A 3-5 performance put Gennusa in the record books as fifth overall after a valiant effort here at Redbud. Gennusa will be digging deep at the final round and looking to find a podium finish to close out 2022. The brutality, the intensity and of course the fun of Redbud now stands behind us as the series faces its final round of racing in 2022. The names haven’t changed at the top of the finishing order but the pool of talent being built behind them is getting deeper and stronger. With two moto’s remaining, everyone will be pushing past the maximum effort to end the season on positive vibes. Loretta Lynn’s is rich in history and another chapter is about to be written!