Old Bridge Township’s Raceway Park
Drake Dominates Area Qualifier
By Scott Lukaitis/ Photo by Lukaitisphoto.com
ENGLISHTOWN, NJ, APR 12-13
The second annual Loretta Lynn’s area qualifier took place at Old Bridge Township’s Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey this past weekend. Torrential rains on Friday night gave way to foggy conditions as the first day of racing got underway. The fog would eventually burn off giving way to bright sunshine and temperatures in the upper 70’s making for a great day of racing. The hard rain left the loamy track rutted and difficult for all those in attendance hoping for an invitation to the Regional Qualifiers and eventually on to the big show, the AMA Amateur National Championships this August in Tennessee. Sunday’s weather was much different as a cold front pushed in dropping the temperatures and increasing the cloud cover. The predicted rains held off allowing for another great day of racing action.
Domination was the word for the weekend, as several riders went on to win all of the motos they entered.
At just 16 years old, Fulton New York Honda mounted Sunny Drake was the dominant “B” class rider of the weekend. Drake won every moto he entered, taking the victories in the Motocross and Motocross Lites stock and modified classes. Despite a dead last start in one moto, Drake showed he will be the man to beat at this year’s Regional winning in dominant fashion. Drake’s come from behind victory was especially impressive due to the level of competition competing. His time at MTF must be paying off.
Another dominant rider this weekend was Suzuki rider, Dominick Guastella. Matching Drake’s “B” class victories, Guastella dominated the “C” class riders, taking control of each of his motos as well winning the Motocross and Motocross Lites Stock and Modified classes.
Saturday’s racing witnessed local rider Dakota Kessler dominate the A class action taking all four of his moto victories. Dakota’s dad, Mickey, was a well-known pro rider back in the 70’s and Dakota seems to be following in his Dad’s footsteps. The young Honda mounted Kessler put on a riding clinic, showing the competitive Expert field the way around his home track. While on Sunday Kessler was again a top contender. In the second MX Lites A/Pro Sport class, Kawasaki rider Paul Lamb got the best of him. Lamb got an early lead and held off the moto long charge, taking the slim victory over Kessler and eliminating Kessler’s perfect weekend.
Suzuki support rider Darian Robinson was the winner of the 85 (9-11) stock and modified classes by winning all 4 of his weekend’s motos.
Good luck to all those moving on to the regionals.
