Monster Energy/Fred Andrews/Yamaha Racing’s Jason Thomas Podiums Again On GNCC Tour
Thomas, aboard the YZ250F, overcomes an early wreck and outlasts teammate Josh Weisenfels to take 2nd at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch – the GNCC’s first “mudder”
CORONA, Calif., (April 20, 2009) – The Monster Energy/Fred Andrews Racing/Yamaha boyz done torn up country singer Loretta Lynn’s Ranch but good this past weekend, putting the knobbies to the rich, loamy, rain-soaked Tennessee countryside at round five of the 2009 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series (GNCC). And coming out on the podium again – for the second-straight race – was Monster/FAR/Yamaha’s Jason Thomas, who placed 2nd in the XC2 class.
Actually starting the race under sunny skies, Thomas rocketed out to a good start on his YZ and was running in 3rd place when he hit some standing water and got pitched off his bike. Thomas was last heading into the woods for the first time, close to teammate Josh Weisenfels whose bike didn’t fire on the first kick.
The two Monster Energy-backed racer slugged it out in the woods with the rest of the competition and both re-appeared, almost miraculously, in the top five (Thomas 3rd, Weisenfels 5th).
Plastered with mud from helmet to boots, Monster Energy/Fred Andrews Racing/Yamaha’s Thomas and Weisenfels reached the halfway point of the contest with Thomas battling hard for the third and final podium spot and Weisenfels in 6th place.
At the white flag Thomas had moved up to contest 2nd place, and would win that battle heading into the checkers. “I had a good start and crashed. I pushed my way to the front and tried to save the bike by missing all the deep water,” said Thomas. “I’m very happy with 2nd place today and look forward to the next race.”
Weisenfels wasn’t as fortunate when, during his late-race rush, his chain derailed and ended his day. “I had a bad start and tried to stay out of trouble on the track,” he said. “I was going good until the chain got derailed. I could not get it back on. I need a little luck.”
Both racers threw out weekend MVP honors to Monster Energy/Fred Andrews Racing/Yamaha mechanic Joe Maurer, who was busting his tail to get the YZ250Fs ready in the ugly conditions.
The GNCCs remain in Tennessee (Lafayette) for round six of the series, May 2-3.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it GNCC, WORCS, Hare & Hound, EnduroCross, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, wake, mini bikes, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot. Fred Andrews’ boyz digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
Monster Energy's Weblog 