Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing Announces 450 Lineup
Another day, another team announcement. Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing (JGRMX) has confirmed their two rider roster for 2018 will be Weston Peick and Justin Bogle. For Peick, this is a continued term with the North Carolina crew as he’s spent the past three seasons riding for them (two years on Yamaha, one year on Suzuki). For Bogle, this is welcome news as he was left without a team after the closure RCH at the end of the 2017 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. For the team, this is a solid line up as both riders continue to improve with each year and are contenders for podium positions on any given weekend.
Both riders will compete aboard the all-new 2018 Suzuki RM-Z450 with factory support through the Monster Energy Supercross Series and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. In speaking with team manager Jeremy Albrecht, Phil Nicoletti will race the 250 class during Supercross and then make the jump to the 450 for the Nationals.
The press release from JGRMX is posted in full below…
The Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing Team is proud to announce the signing of Weston Peick and Justin Bogle for the 2018 supercross/motocross season.
Weston Peick has been a valued part of the Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) program since 2015, and he continues to make significant progress. The Wildomar, Calif. native was in top form during the early rounds of the 2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series, until a wrist injury sidelined him. Weston returned for the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship Series, where he scored top-ten finishes in 14 motos and ended the series in eighth overall.
"I couldn't be happier to sign with JGR again for 2018," said Peick. They've believed in me for several years. I have the utmost confidence that together we accomplish great things, and I plan on continuing my career with them long past 2018. I'm eager to ride the all-new 2018 Suzuki RM-Z450 and begin testing for the upcoming season."
Justin Bogle joins the Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing Team hot on the heels of an impressive summer. The Cushing, Okla. native won two motos, the Budds Creek National overall, and finished sixth in the final standings. It's no secret that Bogle, the 2014 AMA 250 SX Eastern Regional Champion, has the talent and speed to excel in both disciplines.
"I'm obviously very excited to be on the team, and I'm beyond thankful for the opportunity," Bogle said. "It has been a rough couple of years, but things are starting to turn around. I'm very happy with my program, my training, and my personal life. This is all coming together at the perfect time. Truthfully, I wouldn't have been ready for this chance two years ago. As cliché as it sounds, everything happens for a reason. I have learned from my struggles and have grown as a result. I'm excited to be working with an incredible team of people, and I feel good about our chances in 2018."
Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing team manager Jeremy Albrecht is elated to have Weston Peick and Justin Bogle under the JGR tent for 2018. "This next season is shaping up to be a great year. Weston has made huge strides since joining the JGR squad. His never-say-die attitude and commitment to his craft embody what JGR is all about." Albrecht continued, "Justin Bogle has been a revelation this summer. It's obvious that he has the skills and dedication required to be on the top step of the podium, and I'm confident in his abilities."
With regard to the union between Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (SMAI) and JGR, Jeremy Albrecht added, "We're excited as a team to join forces with Suzuki. Moving forward, I feel that Weston Peick and Justin Bogle are very important pieces of the puzzle. With factory equipment, our team of specialized technicians and the all-new Suzuki RM-Z450, both riders have all the necessary tools to succeed."
The Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing Team will make its debut at the Monster Energy Cup on Oct. 14, in Las Vegas, Nev.
About Suzuki: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (SMAI) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Outboard Motors and Automotive Parts and Accessories via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.
About JGRMX: Joe Gibbs Racing Motocross (JGRMX), based in Huntersville, NC, was founded in 2007 by Coy Gibbs, son of NFL Hall of Fame head coach and multi-time NASCAR Championship winning team owner Joe Gibbs. JGRMX competes in both the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship series as well as the Monster Energy Supercross series with support from Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. aboard Suzuki RM-Z250 and RM-Z450 race machines.
About Yoshimura R&D of America: Yoshimura is "The Leader in Performance" and has been for more than 55 years. With unmatched skills, knowledge, and passion for racing, Yoshimura is on the forefront of the aftermarket exhaust industry. Yoshimura pipes are race bred and feature the same legendary performance, fit and quality that has been their trademark for more than five decades. To learn more about Yoshimura and view their wide variety of performance products, visit www.yoshimura-rd.com.