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The Wick 338 is gearing up for The National on June 28
SOUTHWICK — When some of the world's best motocross racers line up to take on The Wick 338 for the Crestview Construction Southwick National on June 28, the 450 class will feature some of the more experienced racers battling the young superstars of the sport.
'It will be a bit of the young versus the old,' said Wick 338 General Manager Rick Johnson about two of the sport's most recognizable names, Eli Tomac, 32, and Jett Lawrence, 21.
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'Both have been dealing with injuries this season, but they'll be here,' Johnson said Thursday.
Tomac, of Colorado, broke his fibula in February during a qualifying race in Tampa but returned to the track in early May. Lawrence, from Australia, tore his ACL in February and also returned in May.
Both have come back as strong as ever, with Lawrence, a Honda factory rider, coming in first in the 450 class at Thunder Valley Pro in Lakewood, Colorado, last weekend.
Finishing just behind Lawrence was Tomac, a Yamaha factory rider, in second place.
'Jett really respects Eli,' Johnson said, adding that after last weekend's race when the cameras were pointed at Lawrence after his win, he told the camera crews not to forget Tomac.
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Coming in third was Aaron Plessinger, known as 'The Cowboy,' who's also scheduled to compete at The National.
'He's one of the most beloved racers,' Johnson said of Plessinger.
From Ohio, Plessinger picked up the nickname because of his signature cowboy hat, long hair, and laid-back style.
'He's just always got a smile on his face,' Johnson said.
In the 250 class, Haiden Deegan, of California, returns to the National after finishing second at Thunder Valley, with his Yamaha experiencing overheating issues.
There was some pushback from other teams just before last year's National involving Deegan after he got in some practice laps at The Wick.
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Johnson said riders can't practice on a track five days before the race. Deegan's practice laps were 10 days before, he said.
Deegan has been battling Honda factory rider Jo Shimoda all season, with Deegan leading the standings in the 250 class.
Other 250 competitors expected is Spain's Jorge Prado and French rider Tom Vialle.
Johnson said a portion of the track has been modified for this season.
A jump that was directly across from the American Legion Post 338 building was removed.
'It just didn't set up well and tended to have racers following one line. With the jump gone, we expect to see more passing in that section,' Johnson said.
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The good news for race fans? Ticket prices for general admission remain what they were last year.
And, unusually, there are a limited number of VIP tickets available and the 'Preferred Viewing Area,' which Johnson called the 'best view' and 'most exciting' place to watch the race.
There are also a limited number of general admission pit passes available, he said.
Saturday's race will draw 160 riders from 40 factory teams with the rest racing as privateers, which Johnson called the 'grassroots of motorcross racing.'
'They really are the foundation. That's the beauty of this sport,' he said of the privateers.
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While Johnson said there has been no shortage of companies from all over asking about being the title sponsor, Crestview Construction Inc., returns again this year.
'They are not only a sponsor, but a partner 365 days a year. I just can't say enough about how important Crestview is to The Wick,' he said.
Before last year's race, the track was washed out three times because of rain.
'Without them, we never would have made it,' he said last year.
Also returning as sponsors this year are Ray's Tree Service, which keeps the trees on the track trimmed to allow everyone who attends to see the action, Lashway Lumber of Willamsburg, Associated Building Wreckers, Inc., out of Springfield, and Moolicious Farm, which provides food and beverages at locations around the track.
Read the original article on MassLive.
