San Diego, Ca – MDK KTM Team riders earned three top ten finishes over the weekend at the sixth round of the AMA Supercross Series.
MDK KTM Lites Team rider
Billy Laninovich had a spell of bad luck when he suffered a last place start in his heat which set him back from qualifying directly from the heat to the main. He turned up later in the LCQ where he finished in the top four to qualify into the main program.
His teammate,
Justin Brayton, carried the same luck into his heat when he came around the first corner in 15th. However, he plowed through riders and was able to work his way into 6th place by the 6th lap sending him and his KTM machine into the main event.
MDK KTM Factory Team rider,
Nick Wey, had his best heat race of the season. He started in 4th position and was able to stay ahead of the field. He picked off
Travis Preston on lap 5 to move into third where he stayed until the checkered flag dropped.
Both MDK KTM Lites riders got a good jump when the gate dropped for the Lites Main Event. However, Brayton got squeezed off as they neared the first turn pushing him back to 15th. Laninovich looked like he might break into the top ten until another rider forced him off of the track sending him into 19th position as he completed the first turn. Both riders rode strong and merged through the pack. By lap 3 Brayton had moved into 7th place. Laninovich had passed four riders and was now in 15th. The crowd stood on their feet as the battle progressed among the riders inside the top ten. Throughout the race Brayton battled with Dungey, Metcalfe and Stroupe. At the conclusion of the race Brayton had mustered his way into the top five finishing fifth for the night. Laninovich worked his way up from last position to 10th.
MDK KTM Lites Team Manager Danny Paladino stated, “Both riders have the speed to be up top but their starts continue to hold them back. We will go home this week and focus on those weaknesses to ensure we’re on the leader board in Houston.”
MDK KTM Factory rider,
Nick Wey, started the Supercross Main Event in 14th. By the end of the first lap he had passed three riders moving into 11th position. He continued to ride a smooth race moving into 9th on lap 6. Wey stayed consistent and finished the race in 9th.
Supercross Lites Race Results: 1. J. Lawrence
2. T. Hahn
3. B. Kiniry
4. B. Metcalfe
5. J. Brayton – KTM
6. R. Dungey
7. A. Stroupe
8. W. Hahn
9. M. Lapaglia
10. B. Laninovich – KTM
Supercross Race Results: 1. C. Reed
2. T. Ferry
3. D. Millsaps
4. A. Short
5. K. Windham
6. J. Hill
7. D. Vuillemin
8. N. Ramsey
9. N. Wey – KTM
10. J. Thomas
