Monster Energy’s Jason Lawrence Overcomes A Moto 1 Disaster in CO

Lawrence puts up third fastest lap times of the day – in both motos – and misses out on a deserved podium spot after he wrecks and gets bike run over

CORONA, Calif., (July 23, 2007) – Monster Energy’s Jason Lawrence (Yamaha of Troy) was in a sea of spinning metal, sharp plastic and sawing rubber knobbies, dodging bikes left and right to protect his own butt while watching his bike get pummeled by the advancing horde of racers.

“Not exactly the situation I wanted to be in,” laughed Lawrence. “In fact it pretty much sucked.”

Lawrence was ‘on it’ while tying to crack the top four at the start of the Lakewood MX National, Round Seven of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship. But instead of coming out of the first lap with the leaders, he rolled through the start area trying to bend back his handlebars and straighten his levers – somewhere in about 26th place.

“From there I knew I had to put my head down, ride as hard as I could no matter how bent up my bike was, and try to salvage some points,” 
he said.

Urged on by his mechanic, the powerful YZ250F continued to answer to Lawrence’s relentless throttle hand and commands with his bruised-up body. Like a jockey urging on a injured horse, Lawrence pretty much willed the Yamaha to the finish line in an amazing 7th place when the checkers dropped on the first moto.

Ears pinned back and teeth gritted, Lawrence punched it to open the second moto and never looked back. His top lap time, again, was third only to the two Monster-backed Pro Circuit/Kawasaki bikes – which finished 1-2 on the day.

“I wanted that podium finish bad in the second moto,” said Lawrence of his 3rd place effort. “It helped make up for the first moto crash.”

Inheriting a couple points due to Lawrence’s crash was rival Josh Grant, who holds an easily attainable (for Lawrence) seven-point lead for the third and final Lites class podium spot, 253-246, with five races still remaining on the series schedule.

Next up for the Monster Energy’s Lawrence is the July 29th  Washougal (Wash.) MX National, Round Eight of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championships.