he Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, will cross the halfway threshold this weekend with the sixth race of the outdoor campaign and Round 23 of the Monster Energy SMX World Championship. What awaits is the most grueling challenge of the summer in the legendary sands of Western Massachusetts’ The Wick 338, which will reach the 50-year milestone of racing in Southwick. The annual summer spectacle is woven into the fabric of the community and has been strengthened through the multi-year partnership with local business Crestview Construction, which will return with title support of the Crestview Construction Southwick National this Saturday, July 11.
“For the past five decades The Wick 338 has not only remained an integral contributor and supporter of the community in Southwick, but it has also carved out a truly unique and indelible legacy within American motocross. It’s been great to see that connection grow even more through its partnership with another local stalwart in Crestview Construction,” said Davey Coombs, President, MX Sports Pro Racing. “The sands of Southwick are hallowed grounds that have put racers to the ultimate test of patience and endurance for 50 years. This pillar event of the Pro Motocross Championship has attracted the finest sand specialists from around the world throughout its existence and that will continue with another gifted group of guest riders this weekend.”
The first Southwick National was held in 1976, during the budding years of the Pro Motocross Championship, and The Wick 338 has endured through the sport’s ongoing evolution to remain a central tenet of American motocross’ most storied and celebrated events. This year will mark the 45th running of the race, which boasts the sport’s most intimate setting behind American Legion Post 338, for which the track bears its name, an elementary school, and a high school. It’s the town of Southwick’s hidden gem that becomes motocross’ global epicenter every summer, with an ever-changing racing surface that athletes from all over the world hope to try and tame.
Established in 1983, Crestview Inc. was founded by Bernie LeDuc and John Dziengelewski, two neighbors who became friends and together purchased a pair of dump trucks to serve as subcontractors for various companies across Massachusetts and Connecticut. Dziengelewski’s family-owned Crestview Dairy Farm in Southwick served as the company’s original headquarters and also fostered its name. Eventually, Crestview Construction and Trucking grew with the addition of heavy equipment and the inclusion of residential jobs. That expansion continued into commercial building and infrastructure, which has allowed Crestview to become one of Southwick’s most prominent and highly regarded small businesses. Entering its 43rd year of operation, Crestview Inc. is now a multi-generational company as LeDuc’s son, Brian, and Dziengelewski’s son, Aaron, each serve significant roles within the company.
The action on the track so far this summer has been exceptional, with each class’ point standings incredibly tight at the top. The premier 450SMX Class has seen one of the Lawrence brothers win each race up to this point, with the emergence of Hunter Lawrence serving as the most notable storyline through the first five weekends. The elder sibling now enjoys a class-leading three wins and has reclaimed the points lead from younger brother Jett to carry the red plate for a second time. If the performances he has set forth in the past two races at High Point and RedBud are any indication, Hunter is poised to tighten his grip on control of the championship. However, Jett is never one to count out, even as he continues to adapt to racing with his surgically repaired foot and ankle. The Australians are separated by just three points heading into Southwick, where Jett is undefeated in three premier class starts.
Also on the rise is Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado, who showcased the speed at RedBud that made him a multi-time world champion. The Spaniard led the most laps and came just a few minutes short of his first win on U.S. soil, which ultimately equaled a career-best runner-up finish. That allowed Prado to inch closer to Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan for third in the championship following the rookie’s sixth-place finish. Prado broke through with his first ever top-5 finish in Pro Motocross last season at Southwick.
The 450SMX Class will receive an added boost of talent this weekend with the addition of a trio of top-level talent from Europe, led by Belgian Lucas Coenen. The current MXGP points leader returns to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for one more race after a memorable debut at Thunder Valley and coming off yet another dominant performance at the most recent international round in South Africa. The sand specialist should be considered a contender for victory alongside the Lawrences, Deegan, and Prado, which adds to the intrigue of Saturday’s action. Additionally, Italian legend Antonio Cairoli will compete again with Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing, while Dutch veteran Roan van de Moosdijk will also make a second start with Kosak KTM Racing Team.
After an unpredictable first month of competition, the 250SMX Class appears to be taking shape. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies became the first rider in the division to become a repeat winner, doing so with back-to-back victories at High Point and RedBud. The New Zealander’s recent string of consistency has shifted the momentum into his favor as he inches even closer to the top of the championship standings. Davies’ upward surge has coincided with a similar ascension for Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda. The Japanese rider came into the summer as one of the title favorites and since his victory at Thunder Valley the reigning SMX World Champion has strung together a trio of podium finishes, capped off by his first moto win of the season at RedBud. Shimoda’s return to form has moved him atop the point standings for the first time, with a four-point edge over Davies. Behind the pair is Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen, who has weathered through a challenging stretch after a strong start to the summer. Kitchen has suffered costly miscues the past two races that ended potential podium efforts and after a fifth-place finish at RedBud he has dropped from first to third in the championship. He’ll look to rebound at Southwick facing a nine-point deficit to Shimoda.
The 250SMX Class will also receive an injection of international talent, spearheaded by the other half of the Coenen twins, Sacha. The current leader of the MX2 championship captured a moto win at Thunder Valley and will come to Southwick with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in search of an overall victory with his sand riding prowess. Also joining the fray will be the Venum BUD Racing Kawasaki duo of Francisco Garcia and Jake Cannon, who currently sit first and second in the EMX250 Championship, respectively. Garcia has been on a tear, with the Spaniard capturing five victories through the first eight rounds of the season. Cannon, meanwhile, has enjoyed a breakthrough season of his own, as the Australian captured his maiden win earlier this year in Italy.
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