Privateer Profile: Michigan
For this week’s Sponsorhouse.com Privateer Profile, we’re doing things a bit differently. Since the 2006 AMA Toyota Motocross Nationals are rolling into Buchanan, MI, and the famed Red Bud Track 'n' Trail, we’ve decided to highlight some of the state’s top professionals the local crowd will surely be cheering on this weekend. All of these Michigan-born riders are privateers, and almost all are coming off very impressive performances at the last national at Budds Creek.
One of the most popular riders out of the state of Michigan is MDK Motorsports' Nick Wey, who is currently sitting in third place in the 450-class standings. The Dewitt, Michigan, native is coming off a solid 4-4 moto performance at Budds Creek last weekend, and he always steps it up for his hometown crowd.
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Allenton, MI’s Jacob Marsack is another rider to keep an eye on this weekend. Jake is also coming off a good weekend, 20-18 for 22nd overall, scoring his first national points outdoors. Jake is coming off a very impressive supercross series as well, and you can expect good things in the future from this Team SoCal/Lucas Oils Yamaha rider.
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In the 250F class, Ludington, MI’s Kelly Smith is usually a solid top-10 finisher, but in the first six motos of the season he has had some bad luck and has scored only one point. In the first moto at Budds Creek, Kelly came out swinging on his Motosport Outlet-backed Honda and scored a fourth-place finish. Unfortunately, he finished 36th in the second moto, but Kelly is carrying some much-needed confidence into his home-state race. Keep your eyes on the #37 CRF250R this weekend.
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Another very fast Michigander is Josh Lichtle, who hails from Rochester Hills, MI. Lichtle hasn’t had the success in the pro ranks that he had as an amateur, but he is definitely capable of it. Josh rides a CrossX-supported Yamaha and wears #811.
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And finally, returning this weekend for his homestate race is Flint, MI's Josh Woods, aboard a Rockstar Suzuki RM-Z450. Earlier this year Josh won 13 BooKoo Arenacross main events and finished fifth overall in points, and he's looking to get his momentum going in the AMA Toyota Nationals.
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