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Loretta Lynn Qualifier
Gravity Alley Motocross Track
Story by Roy Jenkins
Photos by Kyle Jenkins
Breaux Bridge, LA – March 3 & 4, 2007
The biggest annual race in Louisiana is the Spring Qualifier for the Loretta Lynn AMA National Amateur Championship. The 2007 version was no different, except the weather seemed unusually crisp and bright. Come to think of it, the racing was, too. Dirt Bike Mike teamed up with track owner Mike Shea to promote and host the event, while race announcers Steve Hicks from Alabama and Roy Jenkins from Louisiana teamed up on the microphone. One new event was the SX track build-off competition for the kids Saturday night. It proved to be a keeper as the kids and parents had a great time burning off energy before bedtime.
Saturday's race
First off the gate Saturday morning was the MX Lites B Stock class. The powerful Honda of Lafayette team was first in line to turn two: Michael Wagner and Caleb Bertrand. GA’s Ashley Vickery slipped his Team Green Machine into third ahead of MS’s Colt McCarra. AL’s Jared Hicks got off the gate really late, but caught up to the back of the pack by the first lap. Soon Vickery had split the LA Hondas while TX Kawasaki-mounted Steven Ball moved into fourth. The next lap Vickery out-braked Wagner into the back straight to take the lead, while Bertrand pushed Wagner to stay with him, all the way to the finish line.
The second moto was similar, but with Vickery getting off the gate second behind Wagner, while Ball, Bertrand and Wyatt Junot followed up. Soon the race for first and third tightened up with Vickery pressuring Wagner and Bertrand pressuring Ball. At the finish it was Vickery, Wagner, Bertrand and Ball. At the end of the race Ashley Vickery had this to say: "I’m a little tired, but feelin’ good. I was just following and following, worked as hard as I could, waited for a little mistake, then I just reeled him in. I just got a good run down the straight-a-way. I’d like to thank Team Green, Renegade Suspension, Edgar Kelly and my parents." Wagner’s description of the race: "It went good, I just almost fell over there and I went a little too wide and we tangled up goin’ over that little hill and he got around me. I’d like to thank Mom and Dad, Honda of Lafayette, Fox and John Mitchell." Bertrand’s point of view: "I want to thank Mom and Dad, Honda of Lafayette, EBR and Fox."
Speaking of Team Green, teammates Thomas Covington (AL) and Stone Edler (LA) would face off many times in the same classes over the weekend, starting with the 85 (7-11) Stock class. Mitchell Suire (LA) and Austin Avery (FL) rounded out the top four. Although Covington had jumped out to an early lead, Edler began clipping seconds off each lap until the checkered flag where he took a close second. Suire, Avery, T-Don Lerille and Stephen Bumpers rounded out the top five.
Covington and Edler sprang from the gate again in moto two, leaving the pack to fend for itself. Ford led the chase in front of Bumpers and Austin Avery. Edler made a little time on Covington by the end of the race, but not enough as Covington completed his sweep. Third overall went to Avery, then Bumpers and Suire. 
MS rider Dustin Gills got his LA Powersports Suzuki out in front of the MX Lites A class before TX’s Michael Royal, FL’s Cole Boutwell, LA’s Dustin Manuel and Bryce Landry could get rolling good. The three leaders tightened up their positions to the delight of the crowd. Eventually they decided that order would work all the way to the checkers.
Gills repeated his quick start in the second moto of the MX Lites A class, closely pursued by Boutwell’s Honda and Manuel’s Suzuki. Michael Royal got his Honda clicking on high and began his move to the front. By mid-race he was pushing Royal for third until he went down hard and took time to get back into the race. All eyes were on the race for second between Manuel and Boutwell. Gills went on to gain victory for Wiggins, MS, while Manuel held off a fierce attack at the flag from Boutwell that fell inches short. Dustin Manuel had this to say after the race: "He almost got me at the last corner. I’d like to thank my Mom and Dad, Champion Cycles, Raceworks, Answer and my mechanic, Mr. Johnny [Fuller]." Cole Boutwell replies: "I just tried to get real wide after the tabletop so I could come back under him, but, he held his line. It was good racin’. I’d like to thank FMF, Answer, Scott, Dunlop, Renthal and Harrison Powersports." It was Dustin Gills’ 20th birthday and after being congratulated for winning the race his answer was: "Thanks, it was a great birthday present. I just got a good start. That’s been the key all day. I just rode my own race after that. My little brother [Kyle] is in St. Louis right now doing Supercross. I’d like to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for keeping me safe, my Mom and Dad, LA Powersports, by girlfriend, Thor, Racing Innovations and TSRMX."
LA rider Tyler Stewart flew out front of the 85 (12-13) Stock class on his Yamaha. FL ace Jett Johnson joined on his Yamaha, while LA rider Ezra Angelle held off the charge of KY pilot Jake Baumert. 
Jett soared off the gate first in the second moto, leading Baumert, Stewart, Angelle and Jon-murry Barr. Jett Johnson landed his Yamaha to garner first overall, in front of Stewart, Baumert, Angelle and Barr.
Tara Gieger ran away from the Women’s class, while Taylor Miller, Katie Young, Brandee Payne all tried unsuccessfully to catch her as she rode her Blue machine to victory. Brandee Payne (TX), Taylor Miller (AL), Mercedes Santana (HI), and Kaitlyn Dalecky (IA) followed.
 The second moto was a virtual repeat of the first, except that the Flyin’ Hawaiian’, Mercedes Santana had her Team Outlaw Suzuki latched onto Gieger’s blue fender. Brandee Payne kept third from Taylor Miller. Gieger checked out early again, leaving a huge chunk of real estate back to Santana. The real race was for third between Payne and Miller, which Payne won. Taylor thanked, "all my family and friends for coming out here and supporting me and thank everybody who helped me out." Payne said, "I want to shout to my cousin Wesley and my Grandpa." Mercedes spoke out next, "I want to thank my Dad and my Mom, Racing Innovations, Amsoil, Suzuki and ODI." The winner, and reigning National Champ, Tarah Gieger, gave her thanks, "The track’s pretty smooth out there, so it makes it pretty easy to pass. I didn’t really have any trouble anywhere, I was just trying to push myself and not fall. I’ll be heading for Lake Whitney for the Nationals tomorrow. I’d like to thank all my sponsors and my Dad for driving me out here."
John Murphy (LA) led the 50 (7-8) class around the horn but J.J. Kepley (MS) took over before the end of lap one. Tyler Pantley (FL), Josh Guffey (GA) and Trevor Dunn (AL) gave chase all the way to the end. 
Pantley led early in the second moto of the elder 50 class, but there were early fireworks for second as Joshua Guffey pinned it around the turn passing riders, almost taking Kepley’s spot as well. Then came Jordan Mixon, Trevor Dunn and Nicholas Webre. Pantley went on to score first overall, followed by Kepley, Guffey, Dunn and Jake Pinhancos all the way from Rochester, MA.
MS ace Johnny Moore continued his undefeated year in the Motocross B Stock class getting the holeshot on his Got Gear/Team Green Kawasaki. LA riders Jeremy Domingue, Michael Wagner and Caleb Bertrand held down second through fourth on their Honda of Lafayette’s, while FL’s Troy Balsters, GA’s Ashley Vickery, AL’s Trevor Nelson and Jared Hicks gave chase. The only change by the finish was Bertrand passed teammate Wagner for third.
As usual J-Mo used his smooth, no wheelie, minimal wheel spin start to gain the corner first. Vickery and Jeremy Domingue wrestled for second. Teammates Bertrand and Wagner led Ball for third place. Troy Balsters was making noise as he moved up into the top five. Vickery went down on lap three leaving Domingue in sole possession of second in front of his Honda of Lafayette teammates, with Balsters closing fast. By the last lap Johnny Moore had the race wrapped on his Got Gear/Team Green Kawasaki, while Domingue surged into a strong second and teammate Caleb Bertrand within sight for third. In the winner’s circle, Domingue described the race, "It went good. I just got tired and the stock suspension was wearin’ me out. I’d like to thank Honda of Lafayette, EBR, Domingue’s Sand and Gravel, Mom and Dad." When asked how he felt about following Johnny Moore, he said, "His lines were good. It was good to know that he’s won a big national, and I’m kinda on his pace."
Johnny Moore told me earlier he just wanted to survive this race. So far, mission accomplished. Moore went on to say, "So far it’s been great. But tomorrow, hopefully it’ll be even better. I’ll be racing 250 B Mod and Open 4 Stroke. I’d like to thank Shay Racca [Raceworks] for coming out and helping me, the good Lord for keeping me safe, Team Green Kawasaki, Raceworks, Got Gear Motorsports, Scott USA, EVS, Monster Energy, TSR Racing and Fly Racing."
Thomas Covington jumped out in front of Stone Edler again, this time in the 65 (10-11) Stock class. GA rider Colton Ford grabbed third. But Covington took a soil sample, moving the first eight spots up a position. Edler won for LA, Ford a distant second, Kris Burden took third for AL, Zachary McBryde for TX and Kyle Thornton, AL.
Stone Edler went to the front early in the second moto, while Covington pulled out of the race holding his left arm. Colton Ford was a distant third, followed by Kris Burden, Kyle Thornton and Mason Brown. Edler cruised to victory on his Team Green Kawasaki, with Ford second, Thornton third, Burden, McBryde, Pansing and Turner.
Colby Mayes (MS) led Logan Nance (FL), Kyle Lucas (AL) and Jax Price (GA) out early in the 50 (4-6) Stock class. Nance went on to take the overall, with Mayes second, Lucas third, Blake Montpelier and Chase Rock.
Dustin Gills jumped the Pro class again, this time on his 450 LA Powersports Suzuki, followed hard by Michael Royal, Dustin Manuel, Bryce Landry and Kris Swaney. One Kawasaki rider went down before he made turn two. Cole Boutwell was on the move through the pack on his Honda, sticking his nose into Manuel’s business by mid-race. At the finish line it was Gills, Royal, Boutwell, Manuel, Swaney and Landry.
Dustin Manuel got out first in the second moto, followed by Royal, Gills and a hard-charging Boutwell. The crowd began to squeal with delight as these riders tightened up so close you could throw a blanket over them. Gills finally dispatched Royal and closed up behind Manuel. Gills tried an inside move on Manuel on the last lap, but Manuel blocked. Then Gills slipped by the outside in the next corner, but Manuel re-passed. Gills pulled alongside in the final sweeping turn, but Manuel found the better line and got to the flag first, looking back at his defeated foe in the air. Dustin Gills addressed the crowd after the race: "I tried to pass the whole time, that roost hurt; I wanted to get out of it!" (laughing) Dustin Manuel replied, "One more lap and he’d have got me. I was so tired. I was out for 3 months, and I’ve been back for about a month after shoulder surgery. I’m trying to get back in shape. A little bit at a time it’s coming back. 
Local girl Hanna Escoyne swept the girl’s class followed by Victoria Pearce (FL), Taylor Watts (LA) and Jordan Stewart (MS).
LA rider Hunter Hilton used his momentum from winning in France at the Mini Motocross Des’ Nations to fire in front of the 65 (7-9) Stock class. TN’s Matthew Weakley, MS’s J.J. Kepley, MS’s Scott McElroy LA’s T-Don Lerille and AL’s Patrick Lods all gave chase. KTM’s rounded out the top four at the finish with Hilton winning by a huge margin over Weakley, Kepley, McElroy and Lerille.  In the second moto Weakley had to pass several riders to get up into second, but Hunter Hilton could do no wrong as he swept the class on his KTM. Weakley took second overall, J.J. Kepley third, T-Don Lerille fourth and Scott McElroy fifth.
AL rider Michael Mims took his Yamaha out early in the second moto of the Schoolboy class, with Domingue, Sam Landry (LA), Dillon Searcy (KY), Bruce Bender (AL), Trenton Suire (LA) and Brendan Harp (TX), who led early in moto one. Lance Vincent was on fire through mid-pack after a bad start. Soon Domingue was pushing Mims around the track, while Landry held off Searcy and Vincent. The "Magician" pulled another one out of his hat before the finish line as Domingue went on to win again, this time in front of Mims. Landry captured a strong third on his Honda, Searcy’s Yamaha followed, then Daniel Horn, Trenton Suire and Lance Vincent. 
Sunday
Sunday’s first race was the popular four-stroke class, studded with stars and led by Johnny Moore, Caleb Bertrand and Dustin Manuel. Steven Ball elbowed his way into second, while Manuel mysteriously dropped back to mid-pack. Kris Swaney followed Ball up to the front, pulling Clay Drew behind him. Jared Hicks, Josh Mouton and Dustin Manuel rounded out the front of the pack by mid-race, while Team Green rider Moore began to gap the pack like he did yesterday. Moore won easily, Ball took second and Bertrand passed Swaney right at the finish line for third.
 Caleb Bertrand had this to say about how he made the pass at the flag, "I just got on the inside of him. I’d like to thank my Mom, Dad, the Lord Jesus for keeping me safe, Honda of Lafayette and EBR."
Moore had this to say after the race, "The track is looking really, really good. I hope it stays rough and rutted cause that’s what I like. I’d love it if it got two foot breaking bumps and deep ruts, I’d love that. Shay Racca [Raceworks] tunes my suspension and he’s the best out here, I can’t thank him enough. I want to thank Team Green Kawasaki, Got Gear Motorsports, David Shirah, T-Don Lerille’s crew, EVS, Scott USA and anyone else I forgot."
Steven Ball commented after the race, "The first lap was pretty slick on account it was sketchy out there, but after that it all came together and I finally got a pretty good run. I’d like to thank my Parents first of all, Highlands Kawasaki, EBR, Tucker Rocky, Answer and Scott."
Kris Swaney, at 30 years old was the elder statesman of the class had this to say after I commented on his age, "I got fourth at the finish, but, at 30, 31 I have the most experience anyway. I’d like to thank the good Lord Jesus Christ for keeping me safe out there, my wife and child for coming with me, my little girl – they’re the ones who make it all possible for me to come out here."
The second moto of the Four stroke class had a similar ending with Johnny Moore walking away. Caleb Bertrand took second, followed by Swaney, Ball, Hicks and McCarra.
The Supermini class got off with a bang, led by Honda of Lafayette riders Lance Vincent, Shane Yongue, followed by Brandon Champagne, Nate Martin, Kirby Dodd, Skylar Phillips and Adam Cedillo, all from LA. While Sir Lancelot began to pull away, Dodd had his hands full blocking Phillips attempts at passing. By mid-race Vincent was lapping the back of the pack and Phillips had moved into fourth behind Champagne and Martin had gone done in the back section of track. Sam Landry, Zack Patterson and Jonathan Porter made a late surge to the front. But at the finish line it was Vincent all by himself, Champagne second and Phillips third.
Lance Vincent and Nate Martin tried to steal away from the Supermini class in the second moto. Shane Yongue, Skylar Phillips, Kirby Dodd and Sam Landry went after them. Martin went down on the next lap, while Phillips rode into second in front of Yongue, Landry and Dodd. Brandon Champagne and Jett Johnson were moving up through the pack. At the checkers it was Vincent, Phillips, Landry, Champagne and Dodd.
Vincent commented after his race, "I’m feeling good. I wish it was a little bit rougher. I just tried to get a good holeshot. I’d like to thank God, my Mom and Dad, Honda of Lafayette, Fox, EBR and a few others I can’t think of right now."
Brandon Champagne had this to say, "I’d like to thank my Mom and Dad, Racing Innovations, Calmes and EVS."
Skylar Phillips said, "The track is pretty good. I’d like to thank my Mom and Dad, God, All Pro Cycles, Bardwell Yamaha."
Dustin Gills picked right up where he left off the day before and beat the MX Lites Pro Sport class to turn one in front of Bryce Landry, Dustin Manuel and Cole Boutwell. Soon Boutwell finagled his way into second behind Gills for a showdown. But Gills held his LA Powersports Suzuki at top speed all the way to the finish.
Gills again hit his stride early in moto two, leaving Manuel, Landry, Shaun Gunderson and Karl Harrison giving chase. Cole Boutwell began recovering from his poor start mid-race and late in the race he was pressuring Manuel for second. Boutwell went on to finish second overall behind Gills, while Bryce Landry took third, Manuel fourth and Gunderson fifth.
The MX Lites B Modified class was an exciting race due to the amount of fast riders who couldn’t make up their mind who would lead. Colt McCarra, Jeremy Domingue, Jared Hicks, Tory Balsters, and a late charging Michael Wagner all took turns in the spotlight. In fact, Wagner shocked everyone by moving from fourth to first in just one lap! Hicks held onto second, McCarra third, Balsters fourth. McCarra dropped out of contention late, while Balsters moved into second where he stayed to the finish line, finishing behind Wagner. Hicks and McCarra scored third and fourth.
Wagner got out early in moto two, with Billy Wichers, Steven Ball, Jeremy Domingue in tow. Troy Balsters and Jared Hicks were on the move from mid-pack. After a couple more laps, Domingue had secured the lead, while Balsters had moved up to fourth and Hicks fifth. Honda of Lafayette teammates Jeremy Domingue and Michael Wagner finished one-two, with Wichers third, Balsters fourth, followed by Ball and Hicks.
Michael Wagner, from Westlake, LA answered the explained how he pulled the big lap off: "I was just feeling good today, got something fixed on my bike and was just riding good. I needed some screws in the front forks. I just charged really hard, I didn’t want to lose. I want to thank my Mom and Dad, Honda of Lafayette, Fox racing, John Mitchell."
Troy Balsters from Lynn Haven, FL had this to say, "It went alright. I didn’t get the greatest start, I just tried to put a charge on and come back from the back. I’d like to thank my grandma and grandpa for bringing me over here, FMF, Thor, Scott, Hinson, Works Connection, Renthal and everybody else who helps me out."
Jared Hicks from Irvington, AL had these comments, "I got a holeshot, then just tried to ride smart, stay in the top three. I’d like to thank my Mom and my Dad and God for keeping me safe, FMF, Mobile Cycle Kawasali, Sirus Shoes, Oakley, Thor, EVS and Mototech Suspension."
Stuart McAvoy from Mandeville, LA again swept the Senior +40 and +45 classes on his G.N. Gonzales of Hammond. 
The AMA’s new class was up next, the MX Lites Schoolboy (14-16). LA riders Jeremy Domingue and Daniel Horn got out early on their Hondas, followed by AL riders Michael Mims on his Yamaha, Jared Hicks on his Kawasaki. Jordan Hughes and Sam Landry played chase behind them. As the race wore on Domingue got faster, Horn began to fade and succumbed to Mims and Hicks. The next lap Hicks took over second, while Horn hung tough in fourth. At the flag it was the "Magician" Jeremy Domingue on his EBR/Honda of Lafayette, followed by Hicks, Mims, and Horn.
 Brendan Harp surprised the class by jumping out early in moto two. Domingue led the chase in front of Horn, Heath Harrison and the pack. Domingue took the lead on lap two, while Mims was winding his 2-stroke up through the pack with Derrick Brister. Mims went on to finish strong enough to secure second overall behind Domingue. Jared Hicks, Daniel Horn and Heath Harrison rounded out the class standings.
Tyler Stewart, Jett Johnson, Ezra Angelle and Jon-murry Barr kept their Yamahas in front of the 85 (12-13) class.
Stone Edler, Thomas Covington ruled the 85 (7-11) class on their Team Green Kawasaki’s, just like they did in the 65 (7-11) class earlier (with the exception of Hunter Hilton’s win in the second moto of the 65 class). Mitchell Suire, Stephen Bumpers and Colton Ford rounded out the top five of the 85 class, while Hunter Hilton, Colton Ford, Kyle Thornton and Bryson Turner took advantage of Covington’s crash in the 65 class to cash in behind Edler in the overall.
MS star Johnny Moore stampeded his Team Green/Got Gear/Raceworks Kaw out of the gates early on the MX B Modified class, with Honda of Lafayette teammates Caleb Bertrand and Michael Wagner separating the leader from another Team Green rider, Ashley Vickery from Valdosta, GA. This was Jeremy Domingue’s maiden race on his new 450 Honda as he worked his way up from a poor start. A couple of TX riders sparred together near the front, Steven Ball and Derrick Brister. Moore made another win look easy in the first moto, while Vickery was able to pick off Wagner at the finish line to secure third behind Bertrand. 
Ashley Vickery had this to say at the winner’s circle: "Yeah, finally I stayed off the ground for a change in the 450 class. I got him [Michael Wagner] going down the straight-a-way by the trees. He messed up a goin’ down the straight comin’ this way and I got up beside him. I’d like to thank Team Green, ????? Powersports, Renegade suspension, David Kelly and my parents."
Jeremy Domingue was able to pull up behind Johnny Moore mid-way through the second moto of the MX B Modified class. When Moore drifted too far outside, Domingue showed him a wheel and the race was on! Side by Side Moore’s Kawasaki and Domingue’s Honda raced around the track; back and forth they went playing cat and mouse to the delight of the crowd. Wagner, Bertrand, Balsters, Brister and Hicks followed. Moore found a way to the finish line first with Domingue a close second. Behind them rode Wagner, Balsters, Hicks and Brister. 
 Mansfield, LA’s Clay Drew got in front of the MX Pro Sport class early in the second moto, surprising the usual leader, MS’s Dustin Gills. After a couple laps Gills made a clean pass and went on to win. Drew hung around in second, Karl Harrison, from Silver hill, AL raced in third. Drew went down mid-race changing the order behind Gills to: Harrison, Cole Boutwell, Gregory Hebert, Bryce Landry and Shaun Gunderson. At the checkered flag it was Gills, Boutwell edging out Harrison, then Hebert and Gunderson.
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