Page 59 - MPG-AUGUST

PONC A C I T Y O K L A H O M A
WYATT LYONSMITH
Wyatt Lyonsmith was one of the few riders to make the jump from the B class to the A class at the 2017 Motoplayground Race at Ponca City. The rider out of Boise, Idaho contested both the 250 A and Open Pro Sport classes, scoring an impressive fourth place overall in 250 A behind some top notch talent. Although he found success in both of those classes, he really stood out in the Colleg- eboy division where he put together a second and first place finish to take the overall win, earning his first title at the Motoplayground Race. Lyonsmith provided himself with a hefty challenge in the opening Collegeboy moto, burying himself towards the back of the top ten at the start of the race. He found some good passing opportunities and utilized his superior race craft in order to work his way up to seventh position by the end of the opening lap, setting his sights on the podium. It only took one more lap for the Idaho native to carve his way into third position, spinning lap times faster than the leader in the process. He closed within two tenths of the second placed rider at the start of the final lap, and turned the overall fastest time of the race, as he pushed his way into second before the checkered flag. In the second moto, the battle for the overall unfolded right before the eyes of those in attendance as Lyonsmith and Tanner Basso started in the top two positions. The KTM rider knew that he had to beat his Yamaha rival to the finish line in order to take the championship, stalking him closely for the opening portion of the race. On the fourth lap, Lyonsmith turned on the afterburner and clocked the fastest lap, soaring into first position in the process. At that point, he was able to resist any pressure that Basso forced upon him, keeping his composure all the way to the checkered flag as he crossed the line with a one second advantage ahead of the Yamaha rider. He was finally able to take a deep breath after taking part in one of the closest battles of the weekend, soaking up the champagne spray with his shiny new number one plate in hand.
WWW.MOTOPLAYGROUND.COM
59