BAYOMOTO

While the fourth round of the 2008 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series may have been held in the largest state on the West coast, it was a big night for one of the smallest states on the East coast. Names such as Jason Weigandt and Ronnie Faisst must have felt some pride for their home state. On a night that had so many potential winners, heartbreaks, and breakdowns, New Jersey native, Jason Lawrence, emerged victorious under harsh conditions.

So why was Lawrence’s win so important for a state with only two official racetracks? Aside from the fact that Jason is the first Jersey racer to achieve factory sponsorship since Mickey Kessler, his Saturday night triumph also marks the first professional AMA win for any rider from the most densely populated state in the nation. This is not to say there have never been any NJ riders who accomplished notoriety on the pro tour. (For a full run down of New Jersey motocross racing history check out njmotocross.com ).

In the 70’s it was Mickey Kessler representing Dirty Jerz on the AMA motocross tour. The local hero achieved factory support during his long career and finished as high as sixth in AMA points standings.

And just like any good rock station representing the 80’s, 90’s, and today, Bayville, NJ’s Barry Carsten was pretty much the only rider consitently representing the Garden State on the AMA circuit through much of those three decades. As a matter of fact he placed as high as fourth overall in the 1989 Eastern Regional Supercross Series.

However, while Kessler and Carsten are probably two of the nicest people one could ever hope to meet at the track, Jason Lawrence has established himself as a slightly less refined individual. In a sense he propagates the Jersey stereotype of being rough around the edges and ready to fight at the drop of a hat. And, while up until this point in his career he is probably better known for his off- track antics, he can now say he has accomplished something his predecessors never could. Jason used his East Coast amateur racing days, which essentially means racing in the mud half of the year, to guide himself to his first professional win.