Words and images from AEO Powersports KTM Racing Team
Round 9 – 2025 AMA Pro Motocross Championship | Ironman
The AEO Powersports KTM Racing Team was fired up and ready to hit the track at Ironman for Round 9 of the 2025 AMA Pro Motocross Championship. Despite having two weekends off leading up to the event, the team didn’t slow down and continuing to put in the work behind the scenes to stay race-ready and competitive for the second half of the season.
Qualifying
- Avery Long: 23rd – 2:07.949
- Lux Turner: 15th – 2:06.828
- CJ Benard: 29th – 2:09.579
Lux Turner
Moto 1: Turner came out swinging in Moto 1 with an excellent start, rounding the first lap in 6th after launching off the gate inside the top five. He hung with the factory frontrunners for the opening laps, showcasing both speed and composure. Unfortunately, two untimely crashes in the deep ruts took him out of top-10 contention.
Moto 2: In Moto 2, Turner showed consistency and resilience. After starting mid-pack in 17th, he maintained strong lap times and kept his composure, ultimately finishing 17th. The weekend proved that when Lux gets a solid start, he’s capable of running with the best in the class.
Avery Long
Moto 1: Ironman didn’t go as planned for Long, who faced adversity from the jump. A revoked qualifying lap due to an off-track excursion hurt his gate pick, and Moto 1 ended early with mechanical issues after just four laps.
Moto 2: Moto 2, however, was a different story. Starting 21st, Avery charged through the field with aggression and determination. By lap 9, he was up to 15th and made a late pass on Ryder D. to claim a solid 14th-place finish. A strong rebound and a reminder of Avery’s ability to fight through the field when things click.
CJ Benard
Moto 1: CJ Benard, still gaining valuable experience in his rookie season, had to fight from the back in both motos due to tough gate picks. In Moto 1, a crash involving another rider dropped him to 36th early, but he clawed his way back to 23rd—showing heart and tenacity.
Moto 2: Moto 2 saw a more steady ride from CJ. After starting in 29th, he made smart passes through the middle of the race to move into 21st by the checkers. While the results don’t tell the full story, CJ continues to make progress and gain momentum in his debut season.
With Ironman in the books, the AEO Powersports KTM Racing Team turns its attention to Round 10. The team continues to build momentum, and the performances this weekend underscore the potential across the board. Look for Turner, Long, and Benard to keep pushing forward as the series winds down.
Next Stop – Unadilla | August 16th
Lux Turner – 21st
Race Results: 24 | 17
Overall Points Standing: 23rd
Avery Long – 19th
Race Results: 40 | 14
Overall Points Standing: 22nd
CJ Benard – 25th
Race Results: 23 | 21
Overall Points Standing: 28th
