Page 56 - MPG-AUGUST

PONCA CITY OKLAHOMA
RYDER DIFRANCESCO
Ryder Difrancesco returned to the Motoplayground Race at Ponca City after making his 85cc debut at the inaugural event in October of 2016, winning the title in the 85cc (9-11) Limited class. The Team Green Kawasaki rider was back to defend his title and hoping to add a couple more to his coveted collection fresh off of his fourth Loretta Lynn’s Amateur National Championship. The Californian lived up to his high standards at the second iteration of the Motoplayground Race, claiming four victories and a second place finish throughout the three classes that he contested, with his worst finish being a fifth place in the 85cc (9-11) Limited class after a poor start. Difrancesco put together two flawless performances in the 85cc (9-12) Mod class, winning both motos in fairly dominant fashion. The Jimmy Johns sponsored rider lined up for the second heat race in the class and absolutely nailed the start, putting him at the front of the field right from the get go. The Kawasaki rider kept things smooth and consistent at the front of the pack after securing the early lead, running his own race all the way to the checkered flag as he took the moto win ahead of the Clough brothers. In the second moto, the Team Dunlop Elite rider found optimal traction on the concrete starting pad and shot to the inside of the first corner, claiming the holeshot as his own ahead of his Team Green teammate, Chance Hymas. The two of them stormed away at the front of the field, but Difrancesco was able to resist the pressure from his fellow Kawasaki rider, setting the fastest time of the race on the penultimate lap in order to solidify the victory and the subsequent championship. Although he had a flawless showing in the 85cc (9-12) Mod class, the Californian wasn’t satisfied with just one title -- Difrancesco put himself in position to add to his championship tally with a second place finish in the second 85cc (9-13) Open heat race, putting the pressure on in the second moto. The Team Dunlop Elite rider made things easy on himself with another trademark holeshot as he continued to perfect his concrete starting technique, stealing the inside line from his competitors as he grabbed the early advantage. The Ka- wasaki rider showed his determination right away as he set the fastest lap time of the moto on his second circulation of the track, firmly putting one hand on the number one plate before the race had even come to an end. His closest rivals were buried deep in the pack and Difrancesco kept his head down as he built an advantage at the front of the field, scorching the competition on his way to yet another title in Ponca City.
56 MPG • AUGUST • 2018