Honda/Baldwin Motorsports’ Josh Upperman takes to the Podium

(N. Kingsville, OH) Josh is in the top ten in the AMA ATV Pro National Championship points and is now automatically seeded for the main event but must qualify by fastest lap time for gate pick. After practice, Mark Baldwin makes a decision to generate some minor changes to the set-up of the quad. This would turn out to be a wise choice because when the steel bars hit the dirt, Josh launched his TRX450R and established a second place position following Nick Denoble that the #20 knew he could over take within minutes. He also had to contend with Dustin Wimmer who was sneaking up from behind ready to make his strike. Josh new he had to make a clean pass, quickly and did so now taking the lead. However, Dustin came on strong and took over the #1 position, but not without Josh staying close behind waiting for a mistake that never came. Josh was pushing himself to the maximum and producing the fastest lap time. He felt the fatigue coming on along with Honda rider Joe Byrd stalking his every move. Joe would make the pass along with John Natalie and Chad Wienen. Time still on his side and hanging on to fifth place Wienen and Natalie both had engine problems and were not able to finish the race. Call it luck for Josh or bad luck for the others but this twist of fate would allow the #20 to cease the moment and conclude moto one with third place. “I felt great! I feel really confident with my quad and like the new set-up, it worked out well,” stated Josh.

Moto two was almost a duplicate of moto one but it was Josh Upperman who would catapult out of the starting gate to take the holeshot award. He knew this time what he had to do to hold off the pursuing pack of hungry riders that all wanted the first place position. He told himself to pace and breathe and try not to ride as tense as he did in moto one. His first contender for the spot was Dustin Wimmer who again struggled but eventually got by and brought Honda rider Joe Byrd with him. Josh and Joe rode hard and fast but it would be Joe to take second place from Josh. The #20 would now sit alone in third place until John Natalie slowly made his way up the pack and was now on the grab bar of Upperman, pushing hard waiting for a slip-up so he could advance. This went on for several laps and as the checkered flag was in sight, John made a quick pass to take over third but Josh was the one to take third place overall for the weekend. This would be Josh’s first podium appearance in the Pro class. “I wasn’t nerves like I was before and it sure feel good to be where I’m at. I am going home to do some more training and look for me to be up here more often, said Josh.

Round Three: April 4-5 Ballance Moto X Bowling Green, KY

2009 Sponsors: American Honda, Baldwin Motorsports, PEP, JB Racing, Fly Racing, Dunlop, Rath Racing, Precision Racing Products, Hinson    Clutch Components, Wiseco, DWT, Quad Tech, Fasst Co., Pro-Design, Works Connection, Honda Pro Oil & Chemicals, Honda Genuine Parts, Throttle Jockey, State 8, PowerMadd, RPM, Sidi, VP Race Fuels, Scott Goggle, Six Six One, CV 4 Products, Ancra.

AMA ATV Motocross Nationals Series Points Standings