The Others...Ironman.

The Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championships finale was set to be a mudder but when the gate dropped, the sun came out and fans were treated to some good racing at Ironman in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

Photo: Jim McMillan

Mother Nature played a role in morning qualifying. The rain would roll in just long enough to mix up the times and even the playing field for all riders. Just as the riders took the track the rain would fall and turn things to slop. The newly crowned 250 champ would top his class and be joined by six privateers inside the top 20. Dylan Wright(3), Daniel Herrlein(6), Shawn Maffenbeier(14), Jarett Pesci(15), Brandon Scharer(18) and Eric Grondahl(20). In the 450 class it was the JGR ride of Justin Barcia with the fastest lap. Again we'd see six privateers qualifying inside the top 20. Heath Harrison(13), Ronnie Stewart(15), Cade Clason(17), Matthew Babbitt(18), Paul Coates(19) and Jerry Robin(20). Delta, Ohio's Broc Peterson would get in the show with a 450 consi win and Geico Honda's RJ Hampshire would get in with his win in an unfamiliar 250 consi.

Rider: Broc Peterson | Photo: Kyle Pesci

The rain would part and sun would shine as the gates prepared to fall on the final motos of the 2016 season. In the 250 class, Pro Circuit's Austin Forkner would get out in front of moto one early and never look back. In Moto two he'd be challenged by Star Yamaha rider Aaron Plessinger. Forkner's 1-3 scores would earn him his first career overall.  Plessinger's 8-1 was good enough for 2nd and Cooper Webb would go 5-2 for 3rd. Joey Savatgy and Alex Martin would also put in podium performances in the first moto, keeping it green and blue on the podium all day.

In the 450 class we saw consistency. That of Ken Roczen going 1-1 yet another week on his RCH | Jimmy John's Suzuki. His wins weren't as impressive as they've been all season. I mean his first moto win was only by 7 seconds and the second moto wasn't quite a 20 second win. More consistency was that of the entire top 5. Justin Barcia would go 2-2, Eli Tomac 3-3, Marvin Musquin 4-4 and Jason Anderson would go 5-5 in his first race back from injury. KTM Canada's Kaven Benoit came south of the border to put in impressive 12-10 motos that left him 11th overall. 

Privateers in the points. I know Dylan Wright isn't really a true privateer. He's a big deal in Canada, but decided he'd come over to the U.S. on his terms and went 21-16 for 19th overall, not bad. Nick Gaines finished 20th overall on his Traders Kawasaki by going 35-17. Henry Miller went 40-19 for 22nd, Brandon Scharer would go 19-21 and the 677 of Cody Williams put in 20-24 motos. As for the 450 class guys, privateers put in some very solid rides. Cade Clason was 15th overall by going 14-18, John Short went 20-15, Noah McConahy was 16th in moto 2. Hayden Mellross and Heath Harrison each had one moto they'd rather forget but would swap 17th place finishes in their other motos. Matthew Babbitt was 18th in moto 1. Jerry Lorenz cracked the top 20 in moto 2 with a 19th and finally got a couple points that he should have had rounds ago. Lastly the 88 of Ronnie Stewart would go 22-20, earning himself a point. 

Rider: John Short | Photo: Kyle Pesci

And now...The Others.

250

20. 73 Nick Gaines

21. 492 Luke Clout

22. 297 Henry Miller

23. 91 Brandon Scharer

24. 174 Josh Osby

25. 677 Cody Williams

26. 805 Carlen Gardner

27. 83 Daniel Herrlein

28. 716 Timmy Crosby

29. 125 Josh Mosiman

30. 702 Josiah Hempen

31. 84 Jimmy Albertson

32. 146 Shawn Maffenbeier

33. 904 Jarett Pesci

34. 284 Cody Church

35. 786 Sean Miller

36. 351 Eric Grondahl

37. 742 Christian Telker

38. 180 Bryar Perry

39. 89 Marshal Weltin

40. 590 Dakota Robins

450

20. 72 Hayden Mellross

21. 99 Heath Harrison

22. 987 Matthew Babbitt

23. 881 Jerry Lorenz

24. 88 Ronnie Stewart

25. 80 Zack William

26. 401 Sam Redman

27. 265 Nick Fratz-Orr

28. 399 Broc Peterson

29. 281 Max Tannenbaum

30. 421 Vann Martin

31. 356 Daniel Lippman

32. 62 Justin Starling

33. 151 Dakota Tedder

34. 314 Alex Ray

35. 938 Carson Tickle

36. 292 Austin Howell

37. 851 Jerry Robin

38. 79 Nick Schmidt 

39. 48 Anthony Rodriguez 

40. 175 Paul Coates

That's it! That's a wrap on the 2016 outdoor season. Will we see some privateers secure rides for 2017? Let silly season begin. Thank you for reading "The Others" and always #cheerprivateer.

-Kyle Pesci

"The Others" is brought to you by FXR Racing. Bringing superior moto gear to North America since 1996 and supporting the core of the sport, privateers. Support those who support us. Follow @fxrmoto on Instagram and visit www.fxrracing.com/Moto.html