Media Allstars “Rookie’s earning their keep” Sunset Ridge 2013 Race Report
Morehead, KY – Team Media Allstars has been getting solid performances from some of their seasoned riders all season, but after loosing some key members of the 2012 squad some new names were expected to step up and carry a lot of the load this season. Sometimes it just takes a little while for riders to adjust to new products, new expectations, new obligations, etc…for several Media Allstar first year riders it all started to click at Sunset Ridge. Round 5 of the ATV MX Nationals presented by Mt. Dew saw Four first year Allstars land on the podium and put in impressive rides.
The ink wasn’t even dry on #07 Dane Heilman’s MAS contract when he pulled the holeshot in the Vet 30+ A class in Illinois. The team’s newest member did what he was recruited to do, he went out and won both his motos and took home the overall win in his first race as a Media Allstar! Heilman may be a new name to a lot of riders and fans that haven’t been around the block but he’s done this before, Dane used to battle with the late Caleb Moore in the Open A class. He’s also a former multi-time National Champion and proven commodity that we feel will strengthen our presence both on and off the track. You could argue that Pake Shinn #58 isn’t a first year Allstar, but considering he had only ran TQRA races until 2013 we’ll say he’s a rookie! Pake got his nerves out of the way at Wildcat Creek (round 4) and came ready to show why he’s one of the top young talents in the country. Shinn held his own (to say the least) and came within a bike length at the 
finish line of edging 2012 Allstar Dylan Tremellen for the overall in Production A at Sunset Ridge. Pake won’t turn 17 until September so he’s got plenty of time to win races in his very bright future. The Oklahoma native went 2-3 in Production A for 2nd overall in his second national race. Bad luck seems to be following Michael Perkins #94 around this season but maybe he’s finally got the bugs worked out of his program. Perkins showed he belongs as he put in a very solid performance in the 450B class earning a moto score of 2-2 for 2nd overall and that moved him into 2nd place in the points race in that class. Another rookie landing on the podium for the first time all season was Brad Neitzel #88. Brad has been trying to piece his race bike together while trying to make all the races he can and he finally got it on the track. It wasn’t hard to see the difference quality equipment makes as Neitzel looked right at home on the new machine as he went 3-3 for 3rd 
overall in the Open B class. Rookie Chance Beverly #9 continues to show that he’s adapting to the 450 after riding the schoolboy classes a year ago. Chance earned a 5th place overall in the 4-stroke B class by virtue of 4-4 moto finishes. Graham Gardner #22 had an off weekend but didn’t give up and refused to quit when many riders would have thrown in the towel. By doing so Graham salvaged a 12th place in Production A and maintained his 2nd place in the point’s race.
Several “veteran” MAS team members had solid performances as well. Jake McGraw #83 went 4-7 for 5th place in Production A and 4-6 for 6th in 450A. That 6th place finish in 450A was just good enough to keep him in 2nd place in the points though. Calen “Big Crash” McGinty has had a bit of a rough season as his nickname might suggest. The #33 Honda rider finally found his groove as he took a 2nd place in the 16-24 class main which was good enough to earn him a 4th overall and a much needed boost in confidence. Team manager Chase Cunningham #419 continues to be super consistent in the Junior 25+ class as he used a 4-3 score to earn his 4th podium finish of the year in the class and maintain his 2nd place points standing.
Round 6 of the ATV MX Nationals presented by Mt. Dew will take place at Birch Creek Motorsports Park in Danville, VA. The ATV MX community will pay tribute to one of our own as this was the hometown race for former Amateur Referee Robert “Smitty” Smith who passed away back in December of 2012.
Related Posts
HMF YFZ450R Cross-country Racer Project Test Review →
2022 Yamaha YFZ450R Test Review →
Honda TRX450R CRF250F MX ATV Review →
