HUGE Weekend In Las Vegas For Monster Energy/Kawasaki's Dietrich
November 24, 2008, 4:46pm
CORONA, CA – Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Ricky Dietrich came from behind in the last two races to top teammate Damon Huffman for the overall 2008 AMA Maxxis EnduroCross Championship, presented by Lucas Oil, placing 2nd to Huffman at the final event held in front of a sold out crowd at Las Vegas’ Orleans Arena – a title which Dietrich won by a tight five points, 136-131.
And the hits just kept on coming for the Winchester, Calif., resident (by way of Washington) as Dietrich was named the following night as the AMA’s Racing Athlete of the Year, topping such notable stars as Monster Energy’s Ryan Villopoto, Tim Ferry, James Stewart and whole host of other champions in each of American motorcycle racing’s various forms of competition.
“Man, what a weekend,” said Dietrich. “First I’d like to congratulate both Damon and Destry (Abbott, Monster Energy/Kawasaki) on great seasons as well. Damon stepped up and won at the Orleans – which will give him a lot of confidence when the EnduroCross season starts back up next year. And Destry finished up a great year as well, winning the Hare and Hound title and a gold medal with me at the ISDE (International Six Days Enduro) in Greece this summer. It was excellent having those guys as Monster Energy/Kawasaki teammates this year.”
Dietrich continued: “I’m pumped I could deliver the EnduroCross championship to Kawasaki and Monster Energy, along with my other sponsors. And the AMA’s Racing Athlete of the Year award was a big surprise, something a bunch of other guys could have easily won. Definitely pumped with that as well and I’d like to thank the AMA for selecting me.”
On Saturday at the Orleans Dietrich battled early with Columbus (Ohio) EnduroCross round winner Taddy Blazusiak. And while the European great would battle hard against the eventual champion, the course would prove too much for him and Dietrich would take a solid hold onto 2nd place behind Huffman – which is the way they’d finish. Abbott ran strong as well, but was a bit off the podium pace in 7th place.
“You can pretty much trace it all back to what happened in Columbus,” pointed out Dietrich of the turning point of the EnduroCross season when Huffman dislocated his finger in a heat race and failed to transfer to the main in Columbus. “I was trailing by 11 points heading into Columbus, but was able to make the podium and came out with a ten point lead with just Vegas left.”
The AMA Maxxis EnduroCross Championship, presented by Lucas Oil, concludes the 2008 pro competition off road season for the Monster Energy/Kawasaki racers.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it EnduroCross, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, wake, mini bikes, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Ricky Dietrich, Damon Huffman and Destry Abbott dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com.
And the hits just kept on coming for the Winchester, Calif., resident (by way of Washington) as Dietrich was named the following night as the AMA’s Racing Athlete of the Year, topping such notable stars as Monster Energy’s Ryan Villopoto, Tim Ferry, James Stewart and whole host of other champions in each of American motorcycle racing’s various forms of competition.
“Man, what a weekend,” said Dietrich. “First I’d like to congratulate both Damon and Destry (Abbott, Monster Energy/Kawasaki) on great seasons as well. Damon stepped up and won at the Orleans – which will give him a lot of confidence when the EnduroCross season starts back up next year. And Destry finished up a great year as well, winning the Hare and Hound title and a gold medal with me at the ISDE (International Six Days Enduro) in Greece this summer. It was excellent having those guys as Monster Energy/Kawasaki teammates this year.”
Dietrich continued: “I’m pumped I could deliver the EnduroCross championship to Kawasaki and Monster Energy, along with my other sponsors. And the AMA’s Racing Athlete of the Year award was a big surprise, something a bunch of other guys could have easily won. Definitely pumped with that as well and I’d like to thank the AMA for selecting me.”
On Saturday at the Orleans Dietrich battled early with Columbus (Ohio) EnduroCross round winner Taddy Blazusiak. And while the European great would battle hard against the eventual champion, the course would prove too much for him and Dietrich would take a solid hold onto 2nd place behind Huffman – which is the way they’d finish. Abbott ran strong as well, but was a bit off the podium pace in 7th place.
“You can pretty much trace it all back to what happened in Columbus,” pointed out Dietrich of the turning point of the EnduroCross season when Huffman dislocated his finger in a heat race and failed to transfer to the main in Columbus. “I was trailing by 11 points heading into Columbus, but was able to make the podium and came out with a ten point lead with just Vegas left.”
The AMA Maxxis EnduroCross Championship, presented by Lucas Oil, concludes the 2008 pro competition off road season for the Monster Energy/Kawasaki racers.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it EnduroCross, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, wake, mini bikes, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Ricky Dietrich, Damon Huffman and Destry Abbott dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com.
