That may be a bit over the top for an opening to a race report however it’s all true and pretty close to how this season worked for Phoenix Racing Yamaha’s Joel Hetrick. Round after round, win after win he started checking off everything, he needed to do for something that has never been done. With his number one challenger sidelined for the season, Hetrick had a wide open track to earn the perfect season and that is exactly what he did. Like some sort of enchanted story, the first ever and possibly never to be repeated feat of obtaining every moto win over ten rounds of intense competition culminated in that perfect season he had worked so hard to accomplish. The accomplishment is quite remarkable, and I don’t believe any rider fan wasn’t cheering for him to reach his goal as the last lap was underway. Truly a crowning moment in his championship winning season that may never be repeated. Hetrick not only took the win and the perfect season, but he also surpassed Wienen Motorsports/Maxxis/SSi Decals/Fly Racing/Yamaha’s Chad Wienen’s overall win record, and we are pretty sure he doesn’t intend to stop racing anytime soon so that number may soon be so far into the stratosphere that it as well becomes an unobtainable goal for anyone to beat. The enormity of what ended in this story may have not fully been absorbed but as the days pass since his brutal assault on the 2024 season, the realization will burn deep throughout the racing world.

The actual race here at the final round was pretty stellar and as far as Loretta Lynn’s goes, even the weather was perfect. The track was at first glance, the typical layout we’ve become used to, but the underlying conditions were brutal. The heat leading up to the race had turned the soil into something unusual for this location and the sand section was probably the meanest section of race track raced all year. It was interesting to see how the Pro class tried to find speed in that type of terrain, but they did for the most part. Westland Motorsports/JH Racing/Goldspeed Tires/PEP/Musick Racing’s Brandon Hoag was on fire during the qualifiers and grabbed the fastest lap of the sessions, showing he had the speed to do damage and as the gate dropped on moto 1, he streaked to the holeshot and was showing Hetrick that his perfect season wasn’t a sure thing. That lead wasn’t a sure thing as Hoag found issues of his own as he and Ford Brothers Racing/FXR/SSi Decals/CST Tires Bryce Ford became entangled and fell back finishing 8th with Ford claiming 9th. The leaders now out, Hetrick was in the lead and in the wind. 

Up front, Hetrick was on his own and built some cushion between ML2 Motorsports/Walsh Race Craft/Maxxis/Yamaha’s Max Lindquist and JH Racing/PEP Performance/Siffer Powersports’ Westley Wolfe who both have become different riders in the past few rounds. Wolfe has been a terror on the track as Lindquist seems to have found that extra something that has catapulted him to be a podium contender but is still flying under the radar, letting his finishes to the talking. The moto would end with the results showing Hetrick, Lindquist and Wolfe as your top three as the pits started to spring to life as changes were made in preparation for the last moto of the season.

Moto two was a confusing mind twisting play for those spectating as the rush of action through the firstborn had everyone straining to see who came out and where. Wolfe would grab the holeshot and all hell broke loose as the twists and turns of the first few seconds of racing were literally unhinged! Lindquist came out with the lead as Wolfe began dogging him hard as Hetrick seemed to be not ready to push things just yet. Hetrick put the pass on Wolfe and started his assault on Lindquist as the trio broke away from the chaos behind them. Lindquist was riding smart but having Hetrick behind you with it all on the line had to be some of the most intense laps Lindquist has ever faced. He handled the pressure well, but Hetrick made the move and was now in control of things as the leader.

The moto would end without any real issue as Hetrick started his celebration as he put the rest a stressful season. Bryce Ford bounced back to claim second in the moto with Hoag taking 3rd. It would have been interesting to see how the first moto changed things if that pair hadn’t connected and took themselves out of the fight. 

A huge congratulations to notably him, but the entire Phoenix Racing crew as well as a sponsor list that has kept him tuned all year. The celebrations were filled with hugs, fist bumps and high fives as everyone wanted to be there to wish him all the best. For everyone else, it was the ending to the season, nothing more, nothing less. The podium celebration was huge as Hetrick, Lindquist and Wolfe all received their accolades for a job well done. 

Hetrick may have enough years left in him at the top to crush the record books before he even thinks about stepping away so someone needs to figure out what it will take to unseat a living legend. So many riders this year, such as Hoag, had highs and lows and near seemed to get out of his own way at times. He is so talented that it will be some serious soul searching to see what he has to do to make his program remain consistent round after round. Then you have riders like Wolfe who is just straight up having fun and could be a wildcard his remaining years as a Pro. No-one can discount his skill or heart, so we hope he hangs around for a long time to come. 

Injuries hampered several riders in 2024, including Wienen, Gennusa and Rastrelli with Wienen being the most devastating as it cost him his season and possibly could force his retirement which would be a tragic loss to this sport. We could fill a book with the stories not told but the last page for 2024 is written. 

For more information on the ATV Motocross National Championship, visit the series official website at www.atvmotocross.com or call (304) 284-0101. Join the conversation on the series social media channels, along with receiving the most up-to-date news and exclusive content.

• Facebook: @atvmotocross
• Instagram: @atvmotocross
• Twitter: @atvmxdotcom
• YouTube: @atvmotocross