Cycle News Staff | June 27, 2023
American Motorcyclist Association congratulates Evan Renshaw, winner of the 2023 Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award, and Vincent Pearson, winner of the 2023 Bill Werner AMA Fast Brain Award.
This is a press release from the AMA…
Pickerington, OH (June 26, 2023) — Following a week of intense racing action at the Mission Foods AMA Flat Track Grand Championship, the American Motorcyclist Association congratulates Evan Renshaw (pictured above), winner of the 2023 Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award, and Vincent Pearson, winner of the 2023 Bill Werner AMA Fast Brain Award.
Despite fierce competition throughout the week, Renshaw and Pearson, as well as the Vet/Senior and Youth Racers of the Year, separated themselves from other contenders for the awards, who participated in the week-long event, which took place at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in Du Quoin, Ill., June 14-20.
“The AMA is proud to present the Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award to Evan Renshaw,” said AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant. “Evan’s exemplary professionalism and demeanor on the track have made him a standout in the flat track racing community. His relentless work ethic and exceptional speed on the track make him a force to be reckoned with, which will serve him well as he transfers to professional flat track.”
Saillant also expressed how impressed he was with AMA Bill Werner Fast Brain Award winner Vincent Pearson. “Vincent is as fast as they come on the track,” he added, “but he’s even quicker in the classroom and has a very bright future ahead of him.”
The Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award honors the legacy of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Nicky Hayden and recognizes the amateur rider that displays the necessary ability and character to be impactful at the professional level.
A native of Kinzer, Pa., Renshaw has quickly risen the ranks while working closely with former flat track professional Cory Texter since he was 8 years old. Renshaw has spent each of the last four seasons as a member of the Dunlop Flat Track Elite, which aims to support the best of the best in amateur flat track racing.
Renshaw faced stiff competition throughout the week, mainly from fellow Pennsylvanian Bradon Pfanders, but secured the Horizon Award after sweeping all four of his events in the half-mile during the final day of amateur competition on June 19.
“I’m shocked, but at the same time, it was kind of what I was here for,” Renshaw said after winning the Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award. “I’m definitely stoked; all this work I put in is paying off.”
2023 Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award winner Evan Renshaw.
As the most prestigious AMA amateur racing award, the Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award has several notable winners that have gone on to have successful professional careers, including Chase Saathoff, Kody Kopp, Dallas Daniels, Briar Bauman, Jared Mees, Bryan Smith and Roger Lee Hayden.
The Bill Werner AMA Fast Brain Award is bestowed upon the rider that shows ability both on the track and in the classroom and demonstrates academic achievement through strong grades amidst a difficult workload. The AMA selects the winner after analyzing a wide range of academic transcripts sent in by each contender for the award, with the winner securing a $1,500 scholarship. The AMA thanks AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend Bill Werner, Estenson Racing and Zanotti Racing’s Dave Zanotti for funding this award in 2023.
Pearson, who hails from Pensacola, Fla., competed in the 250cc Production and 250cc Modified classes during the Mission Foods AMA Flat Track Grand Championship, and boasted an impressive academic record, showing that he is well on his way to his goal of becoming an engineer.
“It means a lot because it can really help me get into the school I want to,” Pearson said.
The AMA also awarded the AMA Vet/Senior Racer of the Year to David Tyo of Prescott, Mich., and presented the AMA Youth Racer of the Year to Jack Brucks, who hails from Neenah, Wis.
The complete list of AMA amateur national champions crowned at the Mission Foods AMA Flat Track Grand Championship are as follows:
50cc Production Chain Drive Jr. (4-6)
Cruise Texter (Willow Street, PA)
50cc Production Chain Drive Sr. (7-8)
Jackson Joiner (Bakersfield, CA)
50cc Production PW Shaft Drive (4-8)
Cruise Texter (Willow Street, PA)
50cc Production Chain Drive Shifter (4-8)
Odin Music (Pinconning, MI)
65cc Production (7-11)
Hugo Holmes (Gunnedah, NSW, Australia)
65cc Modified (7-11)
Deegan Lickfeldt (Midland, MI)
85cc Modified (9-11)
Jake Paige (Helensvale, QLD, Australia)
85cc Production (9-13)
Jack Brucks (Neenah, WI)
85cc Modified (9-13)
Jack Brucks (Neenah, WI)
85cc Modified Supermini (12-15)
Jack Brucks (Neenah, WI)
Veteran (30+)
Adam Beldyga (Chesaning, MI)
Senior (40+)
David Tyo (Prescott, MI)
Super Senior (50+)
David Tyo (Prescott, MI)
Masters (60+)
Dallas Mayer (Carbondale, IL)
Women 86cc and Up (12+)
Katarna Robinson (Mudgee, NSW, Australia)
250cc Production
Sam Drane (Forbes, NSW, Australia)
250cc Modified
Kage Tadman (Salinas, CA)
250cc — Open Singles (12+)
Evan Renshaw (Kinzers, PA)
450cc Production
Evan Renshaw (Kinzers, PA)
450cc Modified
Bradon Pfanders (Bethlehem, PA)
Open Heavyweight
Bradon Pfanders (Bethlehem, PA)
Hooligans
Erik Hartley (Spokane Valley, WA)
