Dirt Prodigies is an off-road race team that competes in a variety of off-road racing events around Southeastern Ohio. They compete in two main racing series, GNCC and WEXCR.

The group prides itself on being not only excellent riders, but also excellent students and welcoming community members. They help other riders in need and enjoy making new friends.

Dirt Prodigies stemmed from a realization that there were kids in the area with a high talent level who needed additional recognition. The parents and kids got together and decided they could work together as a team to market themselves as a group, while highlighting individual racers, as well. The ultimate goal of the group is to get noticed on a national level and get picked up by a bigger team that will allow them to use Dirt Prodigies as a minor league program. They have a vision to bring in local riders who want to stay true to their roots and to continue bringing off-road racers in from their area.

Meet the team!

#99b is Blaceton Moore who rides that Youth Bike Intermediate class on a Husqvarna 85. His goal is to win first in the Youth Bike Intermediate Series. He would like to thank his mom, dad, maw maw, paw paw, DP Off-Road Racing, Bonzi, American Legion, Fly Racing, SCR, Bo’s Radical Racers, Six Lawn Care, Isaac Stanley Allstate Insurance, RSC Designs, Gigi’s Kitchen, Cooks Heating and Cooling and Kenda Tires.

#404 is Tanner Collins, who races the Schoolboy class on a KTM 105. His goals are to win his class in points and to place in the Top 50 overall for the season. He’d like to thank DP Off-Road Racing, Bonzi, American Legion, Fly Racing, SCR, Six Lawn Care, Kenda Tires, Gigi’s Kitchen, Cooks Heating and Cooling and his dad and Megan for their support.

#4 is Joseph Cunningham, races the Super Mini 12-16 class on a Husqvarna 85. His goal this year is to win the series. He would like to thank DP Off-Road Racing, Bonzi, Six’s Lawncare, SCR, RSC Designs, Gigi’s Kitchen, Fly Racing, Kenda Tires, Cooks Heating and Cooling, Brittany and his dad.

#404j, Keegan Tomsha, races the Peewee advanced 2-stroke on a KTM. His goal is to win an overall Peewee race this season and he would like to thank DP Off-Road Racing, Bonzi, American Legion, Fly Racing, SCR, Six Lawn Care, Kenda Tires, Gigi’s Ktiche, Cooks Heating and Cooling and his mom, Tom and dad.

#5 is Dakota Cunningham who races a KTM 65. His goal this year is to win the races and he is sponsored by DP Off-Road Racing, Six’s Lawncare, SCR, RSC Designs, Gigi’s Kitchen, Fly Racing, Kenda Tires, and Cooks Heating and Cooling. He would like to thank Brittany and his dad.

#421 is Tyler Braniff, races a TZ 250F in the Adult Bike Pro class. He wants to be competitive and compete in the Top 5. His sponsors are DP Off-Road Racing, Bonzi, Six’s Lawncare, SCR, RSC Designs, American Legion, Fly Racing, Cooks Heating and Cooling, Kenda Tires, Gigi’s Kitchen, High Mountain Off-Road, Mika and DTI.

#10 is Nicholas Thompson, races the 65cc 7-9 class. He would like to finish in the Top 3 in points this season. He is sponsored by Bonzi, Fly Racing, Bo’s Radical Racers, Minton Cycles, Starkey Powder Coating, Hocking Hills Moonshine, Home Tavern Bar & Grill, Kenda Tires and DP Off-Road Racing.

Do you have a great WEXCR racing series story or other racing highlight that you would like to share? Contact Julie Warden on Facebook for your own highlight article!

“My favorite race this season was my home track, Scenic Lake Raceway,” explained Fouts. He nabbed a first place class finish as well as first place overall at that race.

“I want to win the Youth Bike Overall this year,” said Fouts. He currently sits in first place tied with Ayden Bevel in the overall standings with two first place finishes and three third place finishes.

Fouts would like to thank his dad, his friend Jeff and riding partners Nick Eing, Ryan Richards and Cole Eing. He is sponsored by Little Italy Beagles and Athens Sports Cycles.

Do you have a great WEXCR racing series story or other racing highlight that you would like to share? Contact Julie Warden on Facebook for your own highlight article!

He started the season off with a win at Round 1, Powerline Park and has continued to finish strong throughout Rounds 2 and 3.

“My transition from youth to adult was great,” he explained. “I came home with a win in A Lites and 11th Overall.”

His goals this year are to win points and he says the best part of the season thus far has been battling with Jayce Knopp in the A Lites class.

Merrill would like to thank his parents because they are his ride to the races and they fund everything he does for his racing.

He would also like to thank his sponsors: Bell Helmets, Dunlop Tires, JT Racing UCA, ODI Grips, Leatt Protectives, Mika Metals, Scott Sports, Acerbis USA, JT Sprockets, SIDI, Factory Seat, Factory Backing

Do you have a great WEXCR racing series story or other racing highlight that you would like to share? Contact Julie Warden on Facebook for your own highlight article!

“My season is going surprisingly well, compared to last year. I have been feeling great and I’ve had a blast while doing what I love,” said Coe.

Coe’s goals this year are to have fun, be successful and stay safe. You can check him out in action at Round#8 Sunday July 24th at Dynamite Valley in Chesterhill, OH.

He would like to thank his dad, Dennis Coe, his mom, Laura Coe and his best friends, ‘The Good Ole Boys’.

Garrett Coe, who sports the number 5, is sponsored by AMG Peterbilt, Need It Now Hydraulics, Bonzi, R&J Trucking, Lemon & Barrett’s, Marietta Truck Center and Polar Trailers.

Do you have a great WEXCR racing series story or other racing highlight that you would like to share? Contact Julie Warden on Facebook for your own highlight article!

For some of them, you have Kristy Hashman from 783 Photography to thank.

783 Photography was named after her son Braden’s race number. She’s taken photographs for many years, but a year and a half ago, the doctor she worked for retired and she decided it was time to start her own business. “It was now or never,” she explained. “I didn’t want another 9-5 job. I wanted to make my own schedule and to be my own boss.”

She says that the people she meets is the best part of having her own photography business. Her favorite types of pictures are from races. “I really enjoy the people at the races because it’s just one big race family. It’s such a great atmosphere,” she said.

This is Braden’s 4^th year racing WEXCR. “We’ve made a lot of great friends and had a lot of laughs over the years!”

Thanks to Kristy and 783 Photography for capturing great photos of our racers and for sharing them with us!

Mitchell Eddleblute rides a 2007 TRX450er in the Adult Quad Open B 16-21 Class. He says this season is going great, amidst some mechanical issues in the first two rounds.

“Those issues have been resolved and I’ve been doing great since then,” he explained.

Eddleblute has goals this year to not give up, push his hardest and make smart line choices.

“My favorite part about racing WEXCR is the environment. Everyone is family friendly and helps out when needed”.

Eddleblute would like to thank his old man, Troy and his mom, Angie. Additionally, he would like to thank the entire Blute family, the Gilliands and the Bevels. He would also like to thank his sponsors, Bohio Mexican Grill, J-Wood Contracting and Hometown Honda. Lastly, he’d like to give a special thanks to Brody Gilliand for being a great motivator.

You can catch Eddleblute and the entire WEXCR Racing Crew at Horsepower Hollow on Sunday the 19th!

Do you have a great WEXCR racing series story or other racing highlight that you would like to share? Contact Julie Warden on Facebook for your own highlight article!

This year, he’s going to race in the GNCC / WEXCR Co Sanctioned event! He explained, “I love to ride and race and I want to push myself by racing a bigger series to become a better racer.” This will be his first 3 hour race.

His goals are to pace himself, say focused and race to the best of his ability. “Also, I hope to show those GNCC Racers what these WEXCR Racers have to offer!”

This season, Sylvester hopes to place in the Top 5 of his class and improve his lap times and overall placements. He also hopes to improve his endurance.

Sylvester would like to thank his parents, friends and family. Additionally, he would like to thank his sponsors, Dunlop, Spy, GoPro, Bell One Industries, FLY and Hometown Honda.

This racer is certainly one to watch in the WEXCR Series! Good luck at the GNCC this weekend, Brayden!

Do you have a great WEXCR racing series story or other racing highlight that you would like to share? Contact Julie Warden on Facebook for your own highlight article!

“This year, things are going great,” said Joy. “Last year, I had a lot of bike issues, but that’s part of racing.”

Last week at Husted Hills, he started out in last place.

“I worked my way up to 5th, caught up with Kagen Martin and Sam Cogar who were running solid races, got around them and looked to catch up and battle with Brandon Owens like we do every race. He had broken down, so I knew I was headed for the win. This was my second in a row, so I’m really excited about that.”

This weekend, Joy will be racing the GNCC / WEXCR Co-Sanctioned event.

“I am looking to get #511 on the podium at John Penton! If not, I will try harder at the next one.”

Joy hopes to race all of the WEXCR races and hopes for a good finish this season.

“My bike is running well this year and I know that has helped me so far. I’m hoping it stays together for the rest of the year because I’d like to have a strong season.”

Joy would like to thank his dad who built another motor for him, Hillbilly Racing, Adam McGill, Chad Walters, his mom for his pictures and all of his friends who cheer him on. Also, he would like to thank Tim and Vikki for a great race series!

Do you have a great WEXCR racing series story or other racing highlight that you would like to share? Contact Julie Warden on Facebook for your own highlight article!

In the early part of the season, Neubig rides a FE 250 Husaberg 4 Stroke and as the tracks dry and get faster, he switches to a KTM 350 SX-F 4 Stroke.

Neubig travels with Masters Class Rider Lou Dearman, #105. His company sponsors Dearman and he always tells the girls at registration that “He has grandpa’s entry” or he calls him Dad. Lou was a Senior Class GNCC Champion in the 90’s. He enjoys traveling and racing with Dearman.

In the very competitive Super Senior Class for WEXCR, Neubig explains that there are some very credible riders. “Tom Dotson has won it the last few years and is often in the top 20-25 Overall. It’s a great class and I enjoy racing with these great guys,” he said.

The challenging courses are one of Neubig’s favorite parts of WEXCR races. “There are almost always sections or obstacles that would be considered extreme. If I do well, or too often not, all of the riders there will be discussing how they got through after the race. Most of the time it is the funny stories I remember until the next race,” he said.

For the 2016 Season, Neubig is 2 points out of 2^nd place and says that landing in the Top 3 is his goal.

“Michael Kunik is in second place right now and the racing has not been quite as close as the points. Mike had a flat tire last race and it was a long come from behind pass where he left off. The race before, Marshall Young ran a solid 3^rd all day only to drop to 5^th on the last lap mud bog. So far, mud and rocks have been in my favor,” he explained. “This season I want to close the gap on the faster riders in my class. I have made up ground, but there is still a long way to go.”

Neubig also explained that eliminating mistakes is an important part of racing. He said, “The WEXCR tracks take focus and Track Sweepers and spectators can be your best friends. Thanks to all of you who help us out in the woods!”

Neubig is sponsored by Wheelsports Inc, Reynoldburg, OH, Wally and Debbie Wilson, Amsoil Lubricants V3 Offroad LLC, Hebron OH, Larry Sylvia and Family, JW Services, LLC, Michelle Neubig, Chaney Mechanical LLC and Kim and Jody Chaney. He would also like to thank Kristy Hashman and Amie Basset for the great racing photos and any of the other track photographers he may have missed.

Do you have a great WEXCR racing series story or other racing highlight that you would like to share? Contact Julie Warden on Facebook for your own highlight article!

Two weeks ago, he picked up a new stock bike to ride for the rest of the season and advertised his current race quad thinking it would take weeks to sell.

“I was wrong! I sold it on Wednesday night and had to pull a couple of all-nighters to get the new race bike ready for Limestone. I finished it at 5am on Friday morning, loaded it up and headed out that morning,” Hendershot explained.

Hendershot notes that proper maintenance and preparation is key for successful racing.

“Whether it’s mud, sand, rocks or deep ruts and creeks, you have to be prepared for whatever is coming at you for the next two hours,” he said. “After I made some modifications in preparation for extra mud weight, I had a goal just not to get stuck. I didn’t quite prevail on that and buried it once for about a minute, but I was able to get some help and get free and rolling again. After that I had a minute to make-up and just tried to pick smart lines and keep momentum going. Staying moving, working through traffic fast and staying out of deep ruts were all keys to the race for me.”

Hendershot has been riding since he was 5 years old.

“I first swung my leg over my dad’s 1987 Yamaha Moto4 350 Quad and since that day, all I have ever wanted was to be on the podium and earning wins. I wasn’t able to compete until I was 16 and old enough to pay for it, so truly since then, my goals have been a national championship and to be on the podium.”

Hendershot’s advice to other riders is to never give up, never give up, never give up. He also says to never be down on yourself after a bad race day. “There is always the next race that you can try again and we are all out here to have fun,” he said. He also says to never be discouraged for not winning. “Work harder,” said Hendershot. “Practice, spend more time preparing and have an open mind to learn more about bike preparation and maintenance. Learn about suspension setups and what you are capable of on a bike.” Hendershot’s last piece of advice is to offer to help a fellow racer out when they are in a bind.

“Help someone with their bike prep, pit stop, pointing out some lines, pushing them up a hill or just telling them good job after a race is over.”

Hendershot would like to thank his wife Nicole and her family for supporting him 100% in racing and helping with their son, Layne, who will turn 2 this fall. He would also like to thank the entire WEXCR Crew, Brandon and Eryca Sommers (GT Thunder), BNR Motorsports, Maxxis Tires, Get It, Spider Graphix, Matt Pierce at Pierce Performance, Fly Racing, Flexx Handlebars, Scott Motorsports, Rath Racing, Tireballs, FMF, IMS, FourWerx, Hotcams, Cylinder Works and everyone that cheers him on from the track!

Click here for podium interview video

Do you have a great WEXCR racing series story or other racing highlight that you would like to share? Contact Julie Warden on Facebook for your own highlight article!