Page 44 - MPG-AUGUST

PONCA CITY OKLAHOMA
daxton BENNICK
Daxton Bennick came into the second annual Motoplayground Race at Ponca City as one of the favorites to stand atop the box in the 65cc classes. The Team Dunlop Elite rider was looking to bounce back after narrowly missing out on his third Lo- retta Lynn’s Amateur National title earlier this year, and used the fleeting memory of defeat to spur him onward to a pair of cham- pionships in the 65cc (10-11) Limited class as well as the 65cc Open class. In addition to his success in the 65cc classes, Bennick also scored a podium finish in one of the 85cc divisions that he contested, propelling him to an overall finish just outside the top five. The North Carolina native was practically untouchable on his Orange Brigade backed KTM, scoring three moto wins and two second place finishes on his way to two championships and a second place overall. No matter the competition, he found himself at the front of the field with solid starting technique off the unique concrete gate and blinding speed through the Oklahoma soil. Ben- nick battled his way to the front of the opening 65cc Open heat, but a slight mistake on the penultimate lap forced him back to a second place finish. Nonetheless, the Team Dunlop Elite rider put himself in the right position at the beginning of the second moto, taking an early lead and never looking back. The #241 machine laid down consistently fast lap times at the front of the pack, set- ting the fastest time of the race at the halfway point, allowing him to snag the checkered flag and the overall with ease. The 65cc (10-11) Limited class was the same story for the Orange Brigade backed rider -- he put himself in the best position for the overall with an exceptional start and an astounding performance in the first moto, quickly taking the lead and running away with the vic- tory. He took the holeshot in the second moto, but decided to play things cool and cruise to a second place finish with the overall victory firmly in hand, solidifying a solid weekend of racing at The Motoplayground Race at Ponca City.
44 MPG • AUGUST • 2018