Story by Greg Robertson
Jason Spriggs was simply untouchable in the 250cc Beginner class at Los Angeles County Raceway, as the Honda rider would lead every lap of the 45-minute race to easily top the field at the Thousand Oaks Powersports-sponsored LACR MX St. Patrick’s Day Gran Prix.
Spriggs wasted little time making his way to the front of the field when the green flag waved. Kyle Chaffee had his Honda running in second place, ahead of Justin Haffey, Austin Mueller and Jeremy Salmen.
Spriggs quickly opened up a comfortable lead on the sandy layout, while Chaffee came under fire from Mueller for second place. Mueller hounded Chaffee for a couple of circuits before taking over the runner-up position, but by that point Spriggs was out front, enjoying a 20-second lead.
The race was all Spriggs’, as he increased his lead with each passing lap aboard his Spriggs Star Clothing-backed CR250F. Mueller finished all by himself in second place, ahead of a good battle over third between Salmen and Chaffee, which would ultimately end up going in Salmen’s favor.
KTM-mounted Jay Cochran was equally impressive in the Over 40 Novice ranks. He would run out front uncontested for the entire 45-minute race. Clarence Henderson put his Husky into second place early in the race, and that’s where he would stay for the duration. Bob Woods crossed the finish line for third, ahead of Daniel Cheswick.
Benny Breck picked up a couple of wins on the day aboard his YZ450F. Breck topped Troy Armstrong in the 450cc Pro class, and then returned to outrun Kasey Morris and Larry Laye in the Over 25 Expert field.
Shawn Rhinehart grabbed the early lead in the 250cc Pro class. By lap three, he had his hands full, as Triston Stephensen was all over his back fender. Stephensen dogged Rhinehart for a couple of laps before finally moving into the top spot. Rhinehart went down in a corner a short time later, effectively handing the victory over to Stephensen.
Justy Mendibles set the pace out front in the Over 40 Amateur race for the first couple of laps until a severe case of arm pump did him in. Randy Moseley inherited the lead on his Thousand Oaks Powersports/ O’Neal-backed Yamaha – a lead that he would not relinquish. Mark Burnett greeted the checkers in second place. Mendibles held on for third.
The largest classes of the day were those in the Over 50 age groups.
Bam Simons flew his Suzuki to victory in the Over 50 Expert field, ahead of Doug Ford, Steve Williams, Jim Sendelbach and Mark Nahon.
Shy Moshe collected the first-place trophy in the Over 50 Amateur ranks. Garry Conner was runner-up, followed by Burnett, Jim Masters and Steve Durschlag.
The Over 50 Novice class belonged to Honda rider Johnny Breck on this day. J.D. LaVancil overcame a midpack start to charge all the way up into a second-place finish. Roy “Krabs” Krull rounded out the top three finishers, ahead of James Weltmann and Tom Ernsdorf.
Los Angeles County Raceway
Palmdale, California
Results: March 15, 2015
65 BEG: 1. Kohen Spruce; 2. Machenzie Cavorhill.
85 (12-13): 1. Zach Taylor.
85 OPEN: 1. Zach Taylor.
125 2-STROKE: 1. Nicholas Villa.
250 BEG: 1. Jason Spriggs; 2. Austin Mueller; 3. Jeremy Salmen; 4. Kyle Chaffee.
250 NOV: 1. Brandon Kowalski; 2. Emil Ovrid; 3. Vincent Coravaja.
250 INT: 1. Dennis McWilliams.
250 PRO: 1. Triston Stephensen; 2. Shawn Rhinehart.
450 BEG: 1. Matt Knight; 2. James Tolman.
450 NOV: 1. Johnny Degen; 2. Shaun Barton.
450 PRO: 1. Benny Breck; 2. Troy Armstrong.
WOMEN: 1. Jenna Breck.
25+ BEG: 1. Jenna Breck.
25+ NOV: 1. Brandon Kowalski; 2. Dale McCoy.
25+ EX: 1. Benny Breck; 2. Kasey Morris; 3. Larry Laye.
40+ NOV: 1. Jay Cochran; 2. Clarence Henderson; 3. Bob Woods; 4. Daniel Cheswick.
40+ AM: 1. Randy Moseley; 2. Mark Burnett; 3. Justy Mendibles.
40+ EX: 1. Cameron Doll.
50+ NOV: 1. Johnny Breck; 2. J.D. LaVancil; 3. Krabs Krull; 4. James Weltmann; 5. Tom Ernsdorf.
50+ AM: 1. Shy Moshe; 2. Garry Conner; 3. Mark Burnett; 4. Jim Masters; 5. Steve Durschlag.
50+ EX: 1. Bam Simons; 2. Doug Ford; 3. Steve Williams; 4. Jim Sendelbach; 5. Mark Nahon.
VINTAGE: 1. Joe Ferry.
TEAM RACE: 1. Justin Kolacinski/ Chaz Smith; 2. Tony Pulliam/ Dustin Pulliam.