As always Loretta Lynn’s was hot, humid and packed! Gates were full, qualifying was brutal, and riders were on edge, it was the last round and championships were going to be won or lost after a long hard season. This was it and the riders were going to show what they were made of. The spectators endured the heat to cheer on their favorites, standing at the sidelines to watch the helmets come off and see the look on the exhausted, overheated rider’s faces that showed success or defeat. The smiles were there through the mud, sweat and dirt that caked faces or the heads were bowed on handlebars after their last valiant effort just wasn’t enough. That oh so famous saying “ Well that’s racing!” proved over and over to be so true as those gates fell for the last time on the 2009 season.

 

Martin started his weekend with Pro Am Production qualifying 5^th to secure his spot in the motos. In the first moto, Martin shot off the line and headed for that first turn making the corner in 4^th out of a full field of twenty riders. As he continued to try and make his way through the pack and closing in, the third place rider began to feel the pressure, with a slight mistake sending third place over the handlebars unfortunately collecting Martin along with him in the crash. With Martin off the bike and riders racing by he found himself back in 17^th place, it was time to go to work. He rode an absolute flawless second half of the race picking off riders in as he went finishing in a respectable 9^th position.

 

Moto two holeshot was a replay finding Martin once again in one of the top positions as they came out of the first corner. Running some of the fastest lap times in second moto he was in a comfortable second place position looking to close the gap on the leader. Then it was time to kick the excitement up, entering into a rhythm section Martins knee must have knocked the radiator hose loose and with a blast of steam it looked like his weekend was over. Determined not to quit and finish his race he pushed on, holding on to his second place with a dramatic, hold your breath finish. The third place overall victory was earned with Martin’s 9-2 moto finishes.