Ironman Raceway is the final stop of the 2015 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. MX Sports has compiled these facts and stats about the venue.
The 2015 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship makes its final stop of 2015 at Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Indiana, for the Bud Light Ironman National, August 22.
Ironman Raceway is the newest venue on the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross circuit, having opened in 2014, the same year in which held its first Lucas championship round. This year will be different, however, in that the venue is the site for the series finale in which an intense, season-long battle for the 250cc National Motocross Championship will reach its dramatic conclusion.
The 2nd Annual Ironman National will mark only the third race to ever be held on the Ironman Raceway motocross track. The brand new venue hosted a Loretta Lynn’s Regional Qualifier last season in addition to last year’s inaugural Ironman National. The property, also known as “The Shaver Family Farm,” has hosted a round of the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country championship series since 1995.
Until last season a Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship round had not been hosted in the state of Indiana since 1973, when a round of the Inter-Am Series came to Washington, Indiana. Jimmy Weinert finished as the Top American in the 500cc class at that event.
The Ironman National is a homecoming of sorts for the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. Indiana is the home state of Lucas Oil founder Forrest Lucas and also houses the Lucas Oil product manufacturing headquarters. Lucas Oil also sponsors Indianapolis area sporting venues Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, and Lucas Oil Raceway, home of NHRA US Nationals. The nearby Lucas Estate will host the 2015 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship banquet on Sunday, August 23.
After rain provided extremely challenging conditions at the inaugural Ironman National last season, Saturday’s ideal weather forecast will mark the first time riders have the opportunity to showcase the potential of the sport’s newest facility, which is already admired by competitors fortunate to lay down laps in dry conditions. Despite flat surroundings, Ironman Raceway boasts dramatic elevation changes, highlighted by a massively steep downhill/uphill triple section affectionately known as Godzilla.
Ironman Raceway was the sight of Jeremy Martin’s title-clinching effort in the 250cc class last season, and the track will once again play host to the deciding round of that championship battle as the Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha rider looks to maintain his razor-thin two-point lead over Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin. Martin is looking to become the first back-to-back champion since Ryan Villopoto in 2007-2008, while Musquin is looking to become the first French champion in 250cc class history. Musquin is the defending race winner at Ironman Raceway, while Martin finished eighth at last year’s inaugural event.
With his championship-clinching win at Miller Motorsports Park last weekend, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey is now winless at only two tracks on the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship schedule, and Ironman Raceway is one of them (the other is Hangtown). Dungey may well scratch Ironman off that list this weekend, as he is in the midst of a 10-moto-podium streak– the most of anyone this season. He also has four consecutive overall wins, having taken seven of eight moto wins in that span.
The battle for second will still be intense at the Bud Light Ironman National, as only five points separate Autotrader.com/Toyota/Yamaha’s Justin Barcia and RCH Soaring Eagle/Jimmy Johns/Suzuki Factory Racing’s Ken Roczen in battle for the runner-up spot in the championship. Roczen has bettered Barcia’s efforts for the last three motos. Roczen’s class leading 25 laps led in Utah signified his first time at the front of the field since he won a High Point in June. Roczen is the defending race winner at Ironman Raceway.
450cc Class Statistics
-The first race held at Indiana’s Ironman Raceway was just last year, August 16, 2014. Ken Roczen won on a KTM.
-This will be the second time the gate will drop for a 450 Class race at Ironman Raceway.
-KTM recorded a sweep of both classes at the inaugural race last season.
-Only two riders have ever led laps at Ironman Raceway – Roczen and Team Honda HRC’s Trey Canard. Roczen led every lap of the first moto while Canard led every lap of the second moto.
Wins by brand at Ironman Raceway
KTM-1
Last win by brand at Ironman Raceway
KTM-2014
Brand Sweeps at Ironman Raceway
KTM-Ken Roczen and Marvin Musquin, 2014
250cc Class Statistics
-The first race held at Indiana’s Ironman Raceway was just last year, August 16, 2014. Marvin Musquin won on a KTM while Jeremy Martin clinched the 250 Class title.
-This will be the second time the gate will drop for a 250 Class race at Ironman Raceway.
-This will be the second time a 250 Class Champion is crowned at Ironman Raceway.
-Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Red Bull/KTM’s Jessy Nelson won the first moto of his career at Ironman Raceway last season, leading every lap of the first moto. He ultimately earned his first career overall podium result in third.
-Ironman Raceway was the site of the best career finish for Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Joey Savatgy until he earned the overall victory at Unadilla just a few weeks ago.
-KTM swept the overall podium at Ironman Raceway last season.
Wins by brand at Ironman Raceway
KTM-1
Last win by brand at Ironman Raceway
KTM-2014
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