AMA: Mazda Truck Motocross Nationals Head to Ohio for Second Payout Round
22 July 1998
WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- Yamaha's Doug Henry continues to dominate the field as the Mazda Truck Motocross Nationals head to Kenworthy's Motocross Park in Troy, Ohio, on July 26 for round eight of the series. Aside from adding points to the winning riders' totals, the round will also help decide which motocrossers will split $30,000 of the $100,000 in bonuses that series sponsor Mazda Truck will pay out over the season.Henry, riding the unique 400cc YZ400F four-stroke in a field of 250cc two-stroke riders, comes into Troy having opened a 37-point gap, thanks to a third-place and sixth-place finish in the last round at Unadilla Valley Sports Center in New Berlin, N.Y., on July 20. Much of Henry's success is due to his consistency, as no one particular rider has emerged to challenge Yamaha factory pilot.
On the charge, though, is Kawasaki's Jeff Emig, who followed up his overall victory in Buchanan, Mich., two rounds ago with another overall win at Unadilla. The defending AMA Mazda Truck Motocross National Champion seems to have found his stride after a disappointing early season and has moved to seventh in the point standings. If Emig continues to excel, he could wind up challenging Henry for the series title. Emig won the Troy round last season, and could climb the standings with another win there.
Fifth-place rider Kevin Windham, riding for Yamaha, continues to improve as the season moves on. His second overall finish at Unadilla puts him only 12 points behind second-place rider Greg Albertyn of Suzuki.
In the 125cc class, Kawasaki rider Ricky Carmichael remains atop the heap after his overall win at Unadilla. With five season wins in hand, Carmichael would practically have a lock on the series title--except for the efforts of Yamaha's John Dowd. Coming into Troy, only 10 points separate Carmichael and Dowd. Should Dowd take the checkers at Troy, Carmichael's line on a championship could be in jeopardy.
Mazda Truck is the title sponsor of the 1998 AMA Pro Racing Motocross Nationals. Mazda Truck will pay out a total of $100,000 in season bonuses to both the 125cc and 250cc during the 1998 season. The Troy payout round signifies the second of three installments by Mazda Trucks -- with the first having come after round 4 at Southwick, Mass., and final payout at the season finale at Steel City Raceway in Delmont, Pa., on September 6.
A list of past winners at the Troy, Ohio round follows:
KENWORTHY'S MOTOCROSS PARK Troy, OH 250cc Motocross Date Winner, Hometown Machine July 27, 1997 Jeff Emig, Riverside, CA Kawasaki July 28, 1996 Jeremy McGrath, Menifee, CA Honda July 16, 1995 Jeremy McGrath, Murietta, CA Honda July 24, 1994 Mike LaRocco, South Bend, IN Kawasaki July 25, 1993 Mike Kiedrowski, Canyon Country, CA Kawasaki July 26, 1992 Jean-Michel Bayle, France Honda July 28, 1991 Jeff Matiasevich, LaHabra Heights, CA Kawasaki July 29, 1990 Jeff Ward, San Juan Capistrano, CA Kawasaki July 16, 1989 Ron Lechien, El Cajon, CA Kawasaki125cc Motocross Date Winner, Hometown Machine July 27, 1997 Damon Huffman, Acton, CA Kawasaki July 28, 1996 Steve Lamson, Pollock Pines, CA Honda July 16, 1995 Steve Lamson, Pollock Pines, CA Honda July 24, 1994 Damon Huffman, Saugus, CA Suzuki July 25, 1993 Jeff Emig, Highland Ranch, CA Yamaha July 26, 1992 Jeff Emig, Highland, CA Yamaha July 28, 1991 Guy Cooper, Stillwater, OK Suzuki July 29, 1990 Jean-Michel Bayle, France Honda July 16, 1989 George Holland, Kerman, CA Honda July 31, 1988 George Holland, Kerman, CA Honda August 9, 1987 Donny Schmit, Bloomington, MN Suzuki
