AMA Congratulates 2023 Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award Winner Evan Renshaw
Presents Bill Werner AMA Fast Brain Award to Vincent Pearson, and Vet/Senior and Youth Racer of the Year Awards
PICKERINGTON, Ohio (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, 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.”
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 includes:
50cc Production Chain Drive Jr. (4-6)
Cruise Texter
Willow Street, Pa.
50cc Production Chain Drive Sr. (7-8)
Jackson Joiner
Bakersfield, Calif.
50cc Production PW Shaft Drive (4-8)
Cruise Texter
Willow Street, Pa.
50cc Production Chain Drive Shifter (4-8)
Odin Music
Pinconning, Mich.
65cc Production (7-11)
Hugo Holmes
Gunnedah, NSW, Australia
65cc Modified (7-11)
Deegan Lickfeldt
Midland, Mich.
85cc Modified (9-11)
Jake Paige
Helensvale, QLD, Australia
85cc Production (9-13)
Jack Brucks
Neenah, Wis.
85cc Modified (9-13)
Jack Brucks
Neenah, Wis.
85cc Modified Supermini (12-15)
Jack Brucks
Neenah, Wis.
Veteran (30+)
Adam Beldyga
Chesaning, Mich.
Senior (40+)
David Tyo
Prescott, Mich.
Super Senior (50+)
David Tyo
Prescott, Mich.
Masters (60+)
Dallas Mayer
Carbondale, Ill.
Women 86cc and Up (12+)
Katarna Robinson
Mudgee, NSW, Australia
250cc Production
Sam Drane
Forbes, NSW, Australia
250cc Modified
Kage Tadman
Salinas, Calif.
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, Wash.
