For the AMA Pro class, the challenges on the track were noticeable and several racers found themselves making changes in hopes they could find the set up that would allow them a leg up over their competitors. Pro qualifying would prove who had a set up they could race with including Musick Racing/Déjà vu/Kenda Tires’ Brandon Hoag who marched out and took the fastest laps in both sessions. Having someone other than Phoenix Racing Yamaha’s Joel Hetrick as fastest qualifier was turning attention to others who showed glimpses of things to come as moto one was drawing near. And while qualifying first doesn’t equal wins, Hoag was primed to get on the gate and see if he could take the fight to Hetrick. For Hetrick, the day held a ton of stress which he was handling well. A win and a solid finish ahead of Ford Brothers Racing/FXR/SSi Decals/CST Tires’ Bryce Ford would hand him the 2023 championship, his fourth, and wrap things up a round earlier than we have seen in several seasons.

With near perfect weather all weekend, a championship on the line and Hoag fans cheering, moto one was heading to the gate. The vibe was a mixed bag of those wanting to see him take a win and still watch Hetrick scoot away with the championship which was quite possible, and it was an exciting moment in time as the large fan turn out watched closely as the pro class started to get on the gate. Mechanics and riders alike faced the same gut check as go time approached and there seemed to be something just a bit different in the air as the 30 second card came out. 

The gate dropped and a wall of roost flew high as the class streaked to the first turn. Hoag was on fire as he grabbed himself the holeshot and it was clear he was leaving nothing behind and continued to set a blistering pace. Hetrick was charging hard but wasn’t about to blow his season by making mistakes and remained in the second spot as he hunted Hoag relentlessly. The pass came out of a corner in a back section as Hetrick out powered Hoag to take over the lead however Hoag wasn’t going down without a fight. One mistake by Hetrick and Hoag was on him to capitalize. The pair continued this intense moto and when the checkers flew, Hoag was only two seconds off Hetrick.

The battle behind the front runners was proving to be a dogfight in its own right as Wienen Motorsports/Maxxis/SSi Decals/Fly Racing/Yamaha’s Chad Wienen worked his way into third and held that spot until the finish with Rastrelli Racing/FXR Moto/Rocket Machine Designs’ Jeffrey Rastrelli taking fourth and B. Ford rounding out the top five.

Changes resumed in the pits as the downtime between motos allowed discussion, reflection and some strategy to be mulled over. The time between motos seems like a very large gap in the day however it flies by and in no time the riders were once again heading to the line. Nerves would probably be Hetrick’s number one obstacle and if they were hitting, he wasn’t letting it show. For others, thinking along season lines, it was the angst of trying to finish where they needed to bring the points to their favor or to hold the line.

The chatter on the line was lighthearted but far less than earlier in the day. It was indeed go-time and with tons of pressure on the line, everyone just wanted a good clean start and a chance. The gate dropped for the final time and once again it was Hoag out pacing everyone as he secured his second holeshot of the day! Within a few turns it appeared this moto would play out like the first however Hetrick wouldn’t have to do much work to take the lead as Hoag made a mistake that planted him allowing Hetrick to have open track in front of him and no real pressure coming after him. For the remainder of the moto, Hetrick put his head down, hit all his marks and rolled across the finish line taking the season championship and marking his 4th of his career. 

After Hetrick’s finish, it would be Wienen and B. Ford joining him on the podium as the celebration of a great day of racing and the crowning of a champion played out infant of a packed house of fans. Behind the scenes a ruling regarding the optional lane was taking place, and it was later announced that the protest would switch the official finishing order. This would move GennUSA Racing/SSi Decals/CST Tires/ Corrosion Specialties’ Nick Gennusa into third overall on the day as B. Ford would move to fourth and Hoag to fifth.

With the final round on deck, Loretta Lynns ATV Dirt Days should prove to be a real throw down as everyone wants one more chance to leave their mark on the 2023 season. 

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