History was made this weekend at the inaugural US Assure Florida National, the 5th round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship series, was hosted at WW Motocross Park. Track owner Wayne Junior Scarborough’s wanted to make a statement with this event, “[The] statement I hope it makes is were back, Florida’s back, we’re trying to make Florida motocross great again.” And make a statement it did as over 19,500 fans came from across the globe, including 22 states, 16 countries, and 6 continents, to Jacksonville to see the anticipated return of AMA Pro Racing to the state.
Fans were treated to a host of improvements done by the Scarborough family and WW staff to ensure that this race rose to the Pro Motocross national standard. Aside from renovations to the track itself, Airstream Ventures and WW Motocross Park gave spectators an enhanced experience all around the track with the addition of the air-conditioned VIP Party Shacks and the WW Ranch Club options.
The Florida temperatures and physically demanding track proved to be one of the season’s biggest challenges to even the circuit’s best racers. Justin Cooper, the 250 class overall winner of the day, edged out his competitors with a second place finish in both the Moto 1 and Moto 2 to get his first professional win but admitted, “that [Moto 2] was the longest moto of my life. I’m just so spent right now” (Pro Motocross). On the other hand, points leader Adam Cianciarulo saw his four-race win streak come to an end this weekend, finishing third overall, but admitting, “I don’t want to take anything away from these guys. They were ripping all day and were just better than me” (Pro Motocross).
By all means, this event was a success, but none of which would have been possible without the support of amazing local and regional sponsors, including title sponsor US Assure, presenting sponsor, Ring Power, and official partners, the City of Jacksonville, Nimnicht Family of Dealerships, Visit Jacksonville, Bono’s BBQ, Champion Brands, United Site Services, Ameris Bank, Campers Inn RV, Pastiche Catering, Cycle Gear, Chick-Fil-A, Burnie Grill, vida de louie, and Sunbelt Rentals.