Page 28 - MPG-AUGUST

28 MPG • AUGUST • 2018
THE USUAL SUSPECTS
MAX MILLER
The last time that Max Miller showed up to race at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch was back in 2016 where he finished both of his classes on the overall podium, most notably scoring a second place overall in the Mini Sr. 1 division. The Oregon native missed out on racing at the Ranch last year due to injury, but he’s back in the saddle in 2018 and he’s looking as competitive as ever before. Miller has accumu- lated as many as three overall podiums at Loretta Lynn’s throughout his amateur career, breaking into the upper echelon of results back in 2015. The Orange Brigade backed rider missed out on the majority of the time that he would’ve spent in the Supermini classes, but he’s quickly adapted to the 125cc and Schoolboy divisions throughout the 2018 season. Miller seemed as though he was getting faster and more comfortable with each and every gate drop, winning championships at both Spring A Ding Ding and the California Clas- sic. The KTM rider continued to show solid speed at the qualifying races that he attended, winning the 125cc (12-16) class at the Northwest Amateur Regional and finishing third in the Schoolboy 1 class at the Midwest Regional. Miller hit the best form of the season thus far at Mammoth Moun- tain Motocross, winning a total of two big bears and two number one plates at the picturesque California circuit. His confidence and riding fitness appear to be close to the same level as before
his injury, spelling disaster for his competitors this year in Hurricane Mills.
LARRY REYES JR.
Larry Reyes Jr. encountered the height of his success at the Loretta Lynn Ama- teur Motocross Championship back in 2014, compiling two sixth place overall finishes in the 65cc (7-11) and the 65cc (10-11) Limited class. He hasn’t experi- enced the same success at the Ranch in recent years although he scored a top ten in the Mini Sr. 1 class a couple of years ago, but he’s aiming to break into the top five for the first time in his amateur career this year. The Husqvar- na rider has been no stranger to the podium throughout the racing season, starting things off with a third place overall in the Mini Sr. (12-15) Limited class at the 2017 Thor Winter Olympics. He managed a fifth place overall in the heavily competitive Supermini 2 division in his home state at the JS7 Freestone Spring Championship and he captured two third place overall finishes at JuniorMotoX as well. Reyes Jr. proved his mettle in the Supermini division at the Ponca City South Central Regional, finishing fifth and second in Supermini 1 and 2, respectively, slating him for suc- cess this year at the Ranch.