Timed qualifying had Brandon Hoag at the forefront after the first session and it would remain that way after the track conditions changed for the riders second chance as the track was wet and slick as most opted to back things down and not risk the weekend over a crash injury. Hoag may have claimed the prize, but Hetrick on Pennsylvania dirt is near unstoppable even though this track has not played nice with him over the past few seasons.

Moto one was soon gating up as conditions were prime. The temperature had risen into the high 80’s however some slow moving clouds throughout the run up to race time kept the racing surface in good shape. With the riders launching off the concrete starting pad, Pleasure Valley throws a small curveball into traditional starts adding another issue for the riders to workout. The holeshot here is important however option lines and sections that offered passing really help or hinder your chances depending on the situation. The seconds were counting down as the nerves were all that were left to push down as the 30 second card went up.

The jump off the gate was pretty even however that would soon change. Westley Wolfe started pulling out front and ripped the first turn claiming the holeshot and wasn’t done as he led the field into the first laps. Brandon Hoag and Joel Hetrick were now dialing in on Wolfe as the trio began a high speed game of who wants it more! Watching from across the track, it appeared Hetrick wanted to make things happen as he exited the off camber section which had been proving quite a challenge. His first attempt let the competition know he was coming, and things went up another notch as they worked their way around the track. Backing that section, Hetrick went high as Wolfe and Hoag remained on the low line which seemed to be faster. Hetrick charged hard and not only passed Hoag, but he also went ahead and claimed the lead from Wolfe! The action was intense and the crowd on hand was loving it!

As the laps were racking up, Wolfe was way off the pace as he had a tire issue forcing him out of the fight in what was probably one of his most competitive motos of his career. Hetrick put some distance between himself and Hoag as the pair raced to the checked flag where Hetrick secured the win with Hoag right behind him in second. Bryce Ford had been dealing with his own issues during the moto as he exclaimed from the podium that it was his riding that caused his issues, and he would get that corrected before the second moto. The podium for moto one is usually good, but this one was probably the best of the season. Westley Wolfe was ear to ear smiles as he accepted his accolades and check for the holeshot and said he wasn’t done referring to moto two.

Moto two was facing the same conditions as the first with a bunch more sunshine. Everyone was keeping an eye on Wolfe as his enthusiasm and energy had overtaken the entire facility. We have all seen a grumpy Wolfe when things aren’t working, and this Wolfe was a new animal and everyone was wishing him another successful moto.

The gate fell and once again Hetrick was not where he would have liked. Brandon Hoag nailed the holeshot as a hard charging Wolfe made a banzai run on the outside as he attempted to try and repeat the first moto start. Hoag was setting a blistering pace as Hetrick started working his way through those front of him and the lead. The battle front was equally matched throughout the ranks as it seemed everyone wanted a solid moto and were fighting for every inch. Bryce Ford had worked his way into the top three after getting past Max Lindquist and finally Westley Wolfe.

The leaders were stepping away from the rest of the pack as the off camber section seemed the likely place for Hetrick to make a pass on Hoag except that Hoag was on the gas and looked to be riding flawlessly. The pair were in perfect rhythm as they tackled the back straight away each pushing extremely hard. Hoag knew Hetrick was behind him, and any bobble would cost him the lead. The pass did come nearly the same as in the first moto as Hetrick took control things.

The finish was anti climatic as Hetrick locked up the overall with Hoag in second and Ford in third. While the race ended without any huge challenges, the moto and the entire day had been a screaming success. Hetrick moved the needle closer to the magical perfect season and stuffed another win into his hunt for Chad Wienen’s all-time win record. Brandon Hoag was looking like a new rider after having a season full of twists and turns so hopefully the last 4 motos of the season can be as exciting as those here at Pleasure Valley. Bryce Ford had a tough day but handled it his way and was able to round out another race with him on the podium. Everyone really wanted to see Ford in the mix with Hoag and Hetrick and looking back now, with Wolfe it could have been one of the best set of motos ever run in this series.

Max Lindquist claimed fourth after a solid day. Max has been rising almost quietly as he continues to find his speed and his day is coming. For Westley Wolfe, this just wasn’t his weekend but yet it was! Wolfe clinched 5th after going 10-4 but the results just don’t tell his story nor his effect on this event. While all of these racers are fierce competitors, they are all friends as this is such a tight group of racers doing something few in the world can do at their level. We may be facing the last four motos of the 2024 season, but something tells me they could be the best of this season and definitely rounds you do not want to miss!