Adelanto, Calif. – Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green riders Corey Floyd and Ryan Abbatoye went 1-2 in the Pro 2 class during the second round of the WORCS series at Racetown 395. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Damon Huffman came from behind to finish an impressive eighth, while Destry Abbott finished 14th. Teammate Ricky Dietrich, who was leading the race early, finished 24th after running into some bad luck.

Floyd, making his second start on a Kawasaki, earned his first win of the season aboard his Kawasaki KX™450F. Floyd and teammate Abbatoye had a good battle for the lead, but in the end Floyd came out on top.

“My start was pretty good, but in the first few laps I had some pretty bad arm pump that kept me from charging,” said Floyd. “Once I was able to get into a groove, I caught up to the leaders. We all had a good battle for a few laps and I finally was able to pull away. Since I had a decent lead, I made a second pit just to be safe and still ended up with a good gap at the finish.”

A part of Abbatoye’s strategy during the Pro 2 race was to ride smart since he came into round two with the points lead after winning the opening round in Phoenix. He did just that and finished second in the Pro 2 class, maintaining the point’s lead.

“The battle was good between the top-three guys at the beginning of the race,” said Abbatoye. “Towards the end, my battle was with third and I was able to come out with second place. Obviously I want the win, but I am definitely happy to keep the point’s lead.”

It seems like everyone has his day, good or bad, and Dietrich happened to be hit with bad luck on Sunday. He took the lead on the third lap and looked to be checking out with a sizeable lead. On the fifth lap, Dietrich came into the pits with a problem, but went back out in reasonable position. In one lap, he charged up eight positions and kept climbing to sixth place. Then with only 10 minutes left in the race, he came in again. He did what he could to get a good finishing position and ended up in 24th.

“My race started off really well,” said Dietrich. “I was pretty patient getting into first. I waited for a few laps and then I got comfortable in front. It seemed like it was going to be another good weekend when my bike started steaming and had to pit. The crew quickly fixed the problem. I was able to really put my head down and turn out some hard laps. I was honestly happy I was going to salvage some points after being so far back. Then I had to come in again. It really wasn’t my day, but I can honestly say I don’t remember the last time I had problems with my Kawasaki in over three years.”

Dietrich has never been the type of person to throw a pity party and he really showed maturity for a 21-year-old racer when everything seemed to be going against him.

“In my mind, I wanted to try and salvage the best of what we could,” said Dietrich. “At least I finished and I never gave up. I know this is off-road racing and anything can happen. I don’t think I’ve had a mechanical in three years. When everything was going on during the race, I really tried to see the best in every situation. It’s not my style to get mad or throw a tantrum. Last year I lost the championship by one point and that has really taught me to never give up and recover as much as you possible can.”

Huffman managed to use his good fitness to ride through the pack and finish inside the top-10 for the second-straight race. In typical Huffman style, he pushed hard to the end, earning his best finish of the season in eighth.

“I felt strong during second half, but my plan was to get a good start and pace myself,” said Huffman. “I actually got a good jump off the line but in the first turn I had a few problems getting hit and I almost fell. Then all of a sudden I’m mid-pack and having to push it the whole race. If I can get a good start, then I know my fitness will keep me strong up front.”

With two wins already under his belt on the weekend at the Adelanto GP, Abbott looked to use the momentum at the WORCS race at Racetown 395. He battled lingering blisters and held on to 14th place after a mid-pack start.

“I rode a lot yesterday, but felt really good,” said Abbott. “Coming into this race I had blisters that I knew would probably be an issue. My start wasn’t great, and the first 30 minutes it was hard to get going. I got into a flow and started to pick people off. I was able to get some points and that is always a good thing.”

The next round of the WORCS series will take place at Crazy Horse GP in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. The weather is always unpredictable and there is no doubt the racing will be tough.

“A lot of people don’t like the Havasu round because of the sand and the shorter course, but I actually really like it there,” said Floyd. “I did a practice race there a few weeks ago and I am really looking forward to the race.”

AMA World Off Road Championship Series
Racetown 395- Adelanto, Calif.
February 22, 2009

Pro Class Results
1. Mike Brown, Gray, Tenn., KTM
2. Justin Soule, Reno, Nev., KTM
3. Nathan Woods, Paso Robles, Calif., Suzuki
4. Tim Weigand, Santa Clarita, Calif., Honda
5. Bobby Bonds, Maricopa, Calif., Honda
6. Brenden Ritzman, Port Orchard, Wash., KTM
7. Bobby Garrison, Hesperia, Calif., Honda
8. DAMON HUFFMAN, VALENCIA, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
9. Josh Strang, Antioch, Calif., Suzuki
10. TAYLOR ROBERT, SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ., KAWASAKI
12. GAVIN GRACYK, S. BLOOMFIELD, OHIO, KAWASAKI
13. ROBBY BELL, SUN CITY, CALIF., KAWASAKI
14. DESTRY ABBOTT, PEORIA, ARIZ., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
24. RICKY DIETRICH, MENIFEE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI

Pro 2 Class Results
1. COREY FLOYD, SNOHOMISH, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI TEAM GREEN
2. RYAN ABBATOYE, RIDGECREST, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI TEAM GREEN
3. Jonathan Davis, Martinez, Calif., Suzuki
4. Kevin O’Donnel, Lancaster, Calif., Suzuki
5. Nicolas Gustavsson, Norco, Calif., Honda
6. Justin Seeds, Phelan, Calif., Honda
7. ROBBIE GOOLSBY, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIF., KAWASAKI
8. Blake Savage, Cedar City, Utah, Suzuki
9. BRAD GOOLSBY, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIF., KAWASAKI
10. CODY SCHAFER, WHEAT RIDGE, COLO., KAWASAKI

Pro Class Points
1. Mike Brown, Gray, Tenn., KTM, 46
2. Nathan Woods, Paso Robles, Calif., Suzuki, 42
3. Bobby Bonds, Maricopa, Calif., Honda, 41
4. Justin Soule, Reno, Nev., KTM, 40
5. Tim Weigand, Santa Clarita, Calif., Honda, 36
6. RICKY DIETRICH, MENIFEE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 31
7. Brenden Ritzman, Port Orchard, Wash., KTM, 28
8. DAMON HUFFMAN, VALENCIA, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 25
9. Bobby Garrison, Hesperia, Calif., Honda, 25
10. DESTRY ABBOTT, PEORIA, ARIZ., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 21

Pro 2 Class Points
1. RYAN ABBATOYE, RIDGECREST, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI TEAM GREEN, 55
2. Jonathan Davis, Martinez, Calif., Suzuki, 46
3. COREY FLOYD, SNOHOMISH, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 45
4. BRAD GOOLSBY, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 30
5. Kevin O’Donnel, Lancaster, Calif., Suzuki, 27
6. CHRIS BACH, CROWN POINT, IND., KAWASAKI, 21
7. Justin Jones, Norco, Calif., Honda, 21
8. Nicolas Gustavsson, Norco, Calif., Honda, 21
9. CODY SCHAFER, WHEAT RIDGE, COLO., KAWASAKI, 19
10. Justin Seeds, Phelan, Calif., Honda, 17