RK Excel America

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (August 27, 2011) – Like much of New England, the Moto X 338 track in Southwick, Mass. is rich in history. The track is owned by American Legion Post 338, hence the name Moto X 338. The first race at the track was held in 1972 and its first professional race was in 1976. “The Wick” is the only sand track on the AMA Pro Motocross Championship tour.

Davi Millsaps continues to recover from knee surgery. While Millsaps is on the mend 20 year-old South Carolina privateer Les Smith has been piloting the second Muscle Milk/Toyota/JGRMX machine alongside Justin Brayton. The race narrowly escaped the worst of the advancing Hurricane Irene by just hours. However, the outer reach of the storm brought some off and on rain during qualifying.

Brayton began the first moto just outside of the top-10 with Smith 10th on lap one. Over the ensuing 30 minutes plus two laps the teammates advanced practically in tandem through the treacherous wet sandy conditions with Brayton finishing seventh and Smith eighth, a season best for Smith.

Shortly after the first moto a steady rain began falling on the Southwick sand and the track was quickly deteriorating. Brayton gated very well running second on the first lap with Smith sixth. To illustrate how tough the conditions had become the top-10 were turning lap times barely over two minutes in moto one, during the second moto the times were in the two minute and 25 seconds plus range. Brayton held second position for nearly the entire race, relinquishing the spot with just four laps remaining to earn a podium and season moto best third place. Smith ran comfortably in seventh for the better part of the moto ultimately finishing ninth. Brayton’s seven – three moto scores gave him fourth overall, with Smith’s eight – nine finishes crediting him with ninth for the day.

The first moto from Southwick was broadcast live on allisports.com and FUEL TV. The second moto airs tonight at 9:00 p.m. (EST) on SPEED. There will be a Southwick highlights and re-cap show Thursday, Sept. 1 at 10:00 p.m. (EST) on FUEL TV. The penultimate round of the series will be Sept. 3 at Steel City Raceway in Delmont, Pa. The first moto will be aired live on allisports.com and FUEL TV at 1:00 p.m. (EST). The second moto will be broadcast at 8:00 p.m. (EST) on SPEED.

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (August 13, 2011) – Unadilla Valley Sports Center in New Berlin, N.Y. was host to round nine of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship. The event which carries the moniker “The Thrilla at Unadilla” enjoys a 40 year heritage having been a stop on the inaugural AMA Pro Motocross Championship tour in 1972. The word “Unadilla” is an Iroquois term that means “place of meeting.” The motocross faithful have been meeting and racing there since 1969, even before the birth of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

As reported last week, Davi Millsaps recently underwent surgery to repair a meniscal tear in his knee. The surgery was successful and Millsaps is recuperating. During his recovery Les Smith is substituting for Millsaps.

When the pack rounded the first turn at the start of moto one the number 10 of Justin Brayton found himself in 10th position with Smith just a couple of places behind. By about the midway point Brayton had advanced to eighth with Smith 11th. Smith suffered a hard crash while attempting to move into the top-10 on lap seven. He remounted in 16th and was able to hold that position until with only two laps remaining his badly damaged motorcycle began shedding battered parts causing Smith to limp the injured bike to the checkers 23rd out of the 40 rider field. Brayton finished the moto in eighth.

Brayton gated well at the start of the second moto, beginning the race inside the top-five. Smith, still feeling the effects of his first moto crash had difficulty early on running off the track while in a top-10 position and finding himself at the rear of the field in 33rd. He was able to salvage a 26th place finish. Brayton had drifted back a couple of positions during the early stage of the race but made a determined charge back into the top-five as the laps wound down only to slide out in a turn seconds later. He was up quickly only losing three positions falling back to eighth with four to go. Brayton was able to advance to seventh at the checkers. Smith’s 23 – 26 moto results gave him 26th overall on the day, while Brayton was awarded seventh for his eight – seven moto scores.

The first moto from Unadilla was broadcast live on allisports.com and FUEL TV, the second moto aired live on NBC. There will be a Unadilla highlights and re-cap show Thursday, Aug. 18 at 10:00 p.m. (EST) on FUEL TV. After a one week break, the next round of the series will be on Aug. 27 at Motocross 338 in Southwick, Mass. The first moto will be aired live on allisports.com and FUEL TV at 1:00 p.m. (EST). The second moto will be broadcast at 9:00 p.m. (EST) on SPEED.

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (June 12, 2011) – Round three of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship was held at High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Pa. Founded in 1976 by Dave Coombs Sr., the track has been the site of many epic races and is rich in the history of the sport.

After finishing 11th in moto one at Freestone and running ninth at the end of moto two Les Smith, substituting for the recovering Justin Brayton had a top-10 finish in sight before succumbing to the legendary Texas heat, ultimately being awarded 14th. 20-year old Smith was given another opportunity at High Point. Justin Brayton, who just started riding again last week was on hand to cheer on young Smith at High Point, as was Joe Gibbs.

In the first moto Davi Millsaps began the race in tenth position, and following the momentum he created since Freestone began a spirited charge to the front, landing on the podium in third place. Smith began moto one in 15th, and over the course of the race he improved his standing to 13th.

Things changed dramatically for moto two. As the riders were on the gate the skies opened up and what can only be described as a sheer deluge occurred turning the track into a muddy quagmire. Millsaps was fortunate to get a good start inside the top-five, while Smith found himself in 38th. Millsaps moved into third and looked to be heading for his first overall podium finish of the season when he slid out in a slippery turn. Re-mounting with muddy gloves and without goggles, he soldiered on to finish ninth. Meanwhile Smith had charged well inside the top-20 before he too fell victim to the slop. Even after falling four times Smith managed to come back to 19th. The conditions in the second moto were so severe that the 30 minute plus two laps were completed in just 14 laps, verses moto one’s 16 laps. Millsaps 3 – 9 moto scores gave him fifth overall, with Smith’s 13 – 19 results earning him 16th for the day. Smith will again be substituting for Brayton at the next round. The earliest Brayton may return to racing would be the Lakewood, Colo. event in two weeks.

The first moto from Hi Point was broadcast live on allisports.com and Fuel TV. The second moto will air today, June 12 at 4:00 p.m. (EST) on NBC. There will be a highlights and re-cap show of the race Thursday, June 16 at 10:00 p.m. (EST) on Fuel TV.

Budd’s Creek MX Park in Mechanicsville, Md. will host round four of the series on June 18, Father’s Day. The first moto will be broadcast live on allisports.com and Fuel TV at 1:00 p.m. (EST). The second moto will air on SPEED at 10:00 p.m.

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (May 21, 2011) – For the 40th time in AMA Motocross Championship Series history, Prairie City Recreation Park in Sacramento, Calif. hosted the Annual Hangtown Motocross Classic.

Justin Brayton, who sustained ligament injuries during the final round of the supercross series in Las Vegas, Nev. was not able to compete in Sacramento. Brayton is undergoing rehabilitation therapy at the Muscle Milk Training Facility within the NASCAR headquarters of Joe Gibbs Racing’s three Sprint Cup teams. Brayton’s goal at this time is to return to racing at the third round of the series.

Davi Millsaps, who has not raced motocross in nearly a year due to a potentially career ending injury suffered at the 2010 Budd’s Creek, Md. round was ready to race. When the gate fell for the first moto Millsaps began the race inside the top-10 of the 40 rider field. During the 30 minute plus two lap moto he methodically advanced, finishing fourth. The second moto began in similar fashion for Millsaps, completing the first lap in seventh position. Throughout the race he would fluctuate within a place or two, ultimately taking the checkers in seventh. Millsaps four-seven moto finishes were good for sixth overall on the day.

The first moto from Sacramento was broadcast live on allisports.com and Fuel TV. The second moto will air on SPEED tomorrow, May 22 at 11:00 a.m. (EST). There will also be a highlights and re-cap show of the race Thursday, May 26 at 10:00 p.m. (EST) on Fuel TV.

The next round of the AMA Motocross Championship will be at Freestone Raceway in Wortham, Tex. on May 28. The first moto will be broadcast live on allisports.com and Fuel TV at 2:00 p.m. (EST). The second moto will air on SPEED at 10:00 p.m. on May 28. Fuel TV will broadcast a highlights and re-cap show of the event Thursday, June 2 at 10:00 p.m.

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (April 3, 2011) – Round 13 of the AMA Supercross Championship was held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas last night. In a reversal from the previous weekend in Toronto, the 50,509 fans in attendance enjoyed warm temperatures and the stadium’s retractable roof was open during the entire event.

The Muscle Milk/Toyota/JGRMX Team continues to keep the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami tragedy in their prayers. Toyota has engaged its family of motorsports properties in assisting by displaying these decals on the various racing assets in the vast Toyota racing portfolio. Davi Millsaps and Justin Brayton proudly displayed the Toyota provided decals on their fork tubes in Dallas (Vitalmx.com photo).

Brayton and Millsaps transferred directly to the main event from their respective heat races without issue. However from that point forward they would both encounter difficulty, ironically in the same section of track for different reasons. The track had unusually large whoop sections that claimed many riders. On only the first lap of the main event a rider lost control of his motorcycle in the first whoop section launching the bike into Millsaps causing him to crash and injure his hand and wrist, ending his night. He was credited with 20th place. On lap five, while racing inside the top-10 in the same section, Brayton’s front wheel dipped into the face of a whoop as he attempted to skim across the tops throwing him over the front of the bike with considerable force injuring his lower back. In visible pain, he was transported to a nearby hospital as a precaution and released early this morning. Brayton earned 17th position. Both rider’s injuries will be further evaluated this week and their status for the next round determined by their doctor’s prognosis and recommendations.

The original broadcast from Arlington aired today, April 3 at noon (EST) on CBS. Round 14 of the series will be April 9 in the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Mo. The original broadcast from St. Louis will be on April 10 at 6:00 p.m. (EST) on SPEED.

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (Feb. 13, 2011) – Houston is one of the longest running stops of the AMA Supercross Championship, hosting the series annually since 1974. The 45,859 fans that packed Reliant Stadium experienced the most exciting race of the season thus far.

Davi Millsaps and Justin Brayton transferred uneventfully from their respective heat races into the main event. When the gate fell for the 20-lap main pandemonium broke out when a first-turn pile up claimed several riders, including Brayton. By the time the chaos was sorted out Brayton was nearly a lap down and began the race in 19th. Meanwhile in a breakout performance, Millsaps was at the front of the field in second position. Millsaps rode an inspiring race battling in podium contention until just the last two laps finishing a 2011 season best in fourth place. Millsaps also turned in the fastest lap of the night, clocking a 48.800 as compared to the race winner’s best 49.138. Brayton made a determined effort to come back from the first turn melee and was able to salvage 13th position at the checkers.

The original broadcast from Houston airs today at noon (EST) on CBS. The next round of the AMA Supercross Championship Series will be held in San Diego, Calif. Feb. 19 at Qualcomm Stadium. SPEED will air the original broadcast from San Diego live at 10:30 (EST).

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 30, 2011) – For the first time since 1984 the AMA Supercross Championship visited Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. In spite of the forecast calling for rain, 44,394 fans braved the weather to watch the action.

Prior to the start of the 2011 supercross Davi Millsaps had not raced since last June. Millsaps has been re-acclimating himself to competition and seemed to find his groove in Oakland with a strong practice session. RacerX interviewed Millsaps after practice, you can see the video here: http://www.racerxonline.com/2011/01/29/racer-x-films-oakland-davi-millsaps.

Justin Brayton won his second heat race of the season, giving him valuable podium time with the CBS television cameras and the Oakland crowd. Millsaps transferred to the main event with a third-place heat race finish.

As predicted the rain fell, and the track was slick and treacherous for the main event. Millsaps started the main around the top-five with Brayton just inside the top-10. On lap nine Brayton suffered a crash that effectively ended his night. He remounted and finished the race but was a lap down and was awarded 18th position. Millsaps continued to battle the world’s best supercross riders claiming eighth place at the checkers, his first top-10 finish of the season.

The original broadcast from Oakland airs today on CBS at noon (EST). The next round of the AMA Supercross Championship Series will be Feb. 5 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, Calif. SPEED will air the original broadcast from Anaheim Feb. 6 at 6:00 (EST).

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 16, 2011) – Chase Field in Phoenix Ariz. was host of round two of the 2011 AMA Supercross Championship. A packed house of enthused fans were on-hand and for the second straight week SPEED broadcast the entire event live.

The all new Toyota Trading Places commercial debuted on the Jumbotron at the Phoenix event. The unique and fun spot showcases the Toyota partnership of both the NASCAR and motocross assets of Joe Gibbs Racing. The commercial can be seen on the homepage of www.jgrmx.com as well as on YouTube via this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_dU8P0ftDk .

Prior to the night program RacerX’s Jason Weigant interviewed last week’s heat race winner Justin Brayton in the Muscle Milk/Toyota/JGRMX Team pits, you can view the interview here: http://www.racerxonline.com/2011/01/15/racer-x-films-phoenix-justin-brayton .

Both Justin Brayton and Davi Millsaps qualified for the main event directly from their respective heat races. In the main event Brayton started toward the front of the field rounding the first lap in fourth position with Millsaps ninth. Lap 10 of 20 would find Brayton fifth with Millsaps 11th. Millsaps fought up to eighth by lap 16 but was relegated to 11th at the checkers with Brayton sixth.

The next race for the Muscle Milk/Toyota/JGRMX Team will be round three of the 17-race AMA Supercross Championship series held for the first time at historic Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. on Jan. 22. CBS will air the original broadcast from Dodger Stadium on Jan. 23 at noon (EST).

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 9, 2011) – The 2011 AMA Supercross Championship kicked off last night at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, Calif. In front of a sold out crowd as well as being broadcast live in its entirety on SPEED.

The Muscle Milk/Toyota/JGRMX Team riders Justin Brayton and Davi Millsaps started the new season on a high note with Brayton pulling the holeshot with Millsaps in tow during their qualifier. Brayton led the race from start to finish with Millsaps, who has not raced since suffering an injury last June easily qualifying in fourth position. Brayton’s heat race win gave him the podium stage in front of the Anaheim crowd and to the live SPEED audience.

In the main event both riders encountered challenges with Brayton starting in the back of the field falling once as he tried to create lines for passing while charging through the pack and then again after another rider collided into him. Brayton finished 16th, a result not indicative of the speed he brought to the season opener. Millsaps also crashed, landing on a Tuff Block track marker regulating him to an uncharacteristic 19th place in his Muscle Milk/Toyota/JGRMX Team debut. Both riders were disappointed with their bad luck but happy with their YZ450Fs and are excited to regroup for the next race.

The JGRMX YouTube Channel just passed the quarter million view mark this week, the latest video was just posted showing some behind the scenes activity during a very interesting Toyota commercial shoot combining the Toyota backed NASCAR and motocross assets of Joe Gibbs Racing. The video can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-dub8ai1YM. There will be 15, 30, and 60 second versions of the spot which will be broadcast through various media including the Jumbotron during Supercross events as well as on SPEED and CBS.

The next race for the Muscle Milk/Toyota/JGRMX Team will be round two of the 17-race series in Phoenix, Ariz. Jan. 15 at Chase Field. SPEED will broadcast the Phoenix event live beginning at 9:30 p.m. (EST).

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (July 26, 2010) – Washougal Motocross Park in Washougal, Wash. was the site of round eight of the 2010 AMA Pro Motocross Championship. Washougal is regarded as one of the most scenic courses on the tour, with its mountainous elevation changes and majestic Douglas-fir trees contributing to a picturesque northwestern setting unmatched by any track on the circuit. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Washougal declared the event a “retro” day and encouraged the racers and fans to wear and display clothes and graphics from days gone by.

Josh Grant was still suffering the effects of severe heat stroke from the Millville race and with temperatures in the mid-nineties the Muscle Milk/Toyota/JGRMX Team was doing everything possible to keep Grant cool before the race started. In Grant’s condition, a top-10 would have been an admirable accomplishment. Instead, the always determined Grant gutted out a fourth place finish in the opening moto. Immediately after the moto concluded the team helped Grant out of his SHIFT race gear and into a baby pool filled with ice and water. Justin Brayton struggled to find his stride in the first moto and found himself uncharacteristically in 17th at the checkers.

The second motos are the most physically demanding as recovery time from the first moto is minimal. Grant once again attempted to stay as cool as possible prior to the start, but by this time he was visibly fighting the effects of the lingering heat stroke. When the gate fell for the second moto both Grant and Brayton were at the front of the field with Brayton fifth and Grant 10th. Grant started moving forward, working his way into seventh just after the halfway point. On lap nine, suffered a minor crash. The impact of the fall forced his helmet visor down over his face and after remounting he rode partially blinded to a 16th place finish. Brayton, who was disappointed with his earlier ride found some inspiration and put in his best moto of the season finishing just one spot off the podium in fourth. Grant’s four – 16 moto finishes earned him 12th overall, with Brayton’s 17 – four results giving him 13th for the day. Grant moved ahead two positions in series points to fourth while Brayton, who missed the first two rounds due to injury sits in 15th.

The original broadcast from Washougal aired live on SPEED. The next event for the Muscle Milk/Toyota/JGRMX Team will be X Games 16 in Los Angeles, Calif. with Justin Brayton racing SuperX July 29 and Josh Grant competing in the Best Whip competition July 30. ESPN will air the SuperX race live between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. and the Best Whip between 7:00 and 11:30 p.m. (EST). Round nine of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship will be Aug. 14 at Unadilla Sports Valley in New Berlin, N.Y. NBC will broadcast the action from Unadilla live starting at 3:00 p.m. (EST).