Saturday’s 2020 Lucas Oil Pro MX Ironman National looked different than previous races at Ironman Raceway. With a crowd about half the normal size of previous races, there was still plenty to cheer about for the fans as arguably the world’s top motocross racers competed on a beautiful Indiana day.
As always, the race drew riders and fans from across the globe. Two Frenchmen, Marvin Musquin in the 450 class and Dylan Ferrandis, both found themselves on the winners podium at the end of the day. However, it was two familiar veterans who were crowned the 2020 Ironman National champions.
Three-peat National MX champion Eli Tomac of Colorado earned a must-needed victory. The rider, who has had mechanical problems in the first two series races, picked up his first win of the season. Tomac still trails the overall points leader, Zach Osborne, by 27 points.
“I just had a better feel. The track came to us all day. We had good starts in both motos and that pace was insane there in Moto 2,” explained Tomac.
The 250MX champ was long-time rider Jeremy Martin from Minnesota. Ferrandis finished second and Brandon Hartraugt of New Jersey placed third.
Ferrandis was the fastest rider in the 250 class all day. However a crash on the first turn of the second Moto caused him to start the race behind 39 other riders. Ferrandis was able to steadily move through the pack and finished less than two seconds behind Martin.
With the second place finish, Ferrandis holds a slim four point lead over Martin in the overall standings.
Alex Martin, brother to Jeremy, finished sixth on Saturday but retains his third place over-all position.
Nearly every state in America was represented. International riders were from Japan, Mexico, Australia, South Africa, United Kingdom, Sweden and France.
450 MX riders Felix Lopez and Jorge Rubalcava of Mexico did not make the main event. They were watching the championship races standing outside the track.
“This is my second year coming to Ironman Raceway and it is one of my favorites, “ Lopez said. “We learn a lot from watching the other riders.”
Ironman Raceway owner Tom Shaver was pleased the race was able to be run this year with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We had a nice crowd and we did what we had to do with the Coronavirus guidelines,” Shaver said. “You can look around and see the crowd having fun. I think everyone is thrilled to be racing again.”
The series will now move to Buchanon, Michigan for back-to-back races on Sept. 4 and 7 at the iconic RedBud MX track.
