Fans, athletes enjoy motocross for Thanksgiving

St. George Daily Spectrum

Brandon Mullens 12/1/14

While families were enjoying turkey and stuffing at home on Thanksgiving, motocross athletes and fans were enjoying young men, women and kids racing on the dirt.

The 2014 Mesquite MX Winter Nationals was held this past week at the Mesquite MX Park, where about 300 riders from all classes, ranging from pee-wee to 450cc, raced Thursday through Saturday.

All eyes were on professional supercross rider, Mike Alessi, who won all the races he competed in, including the supercross main event Saturday night.

Alessi won the grand prize of $3,000 for his victory in the main event, which featured pro racers such as Alessi, Kyle Partridge, Jared Hicks, Tyler Bowers, Michael Leib and other pro riders.

"It was a great week here and I enjoyed it," Alessi said. "I couldn't of asked for a better weekend spending with all the fans and local racers here."

There was no other place he'd rather be than on a motocross track on Thanksgiving weekend, he said.

Alessi also said the event helped him prepare for Anaheim One.

It was the first time new Mesquite MX owners, Jason, Yvette and Connie Shaw hosted the event.

"I think the event turned out to be good, but we hoped it would be a bigger turnout," Jason said. "It was awesome having all these big name brands come out to compete."

Jason said he hopes to draw bigger crowds and more racers next year by making new track layouts, and having riders vote for a schedule in which they get to choose when they want to race and practice.

On Thanksgiving Day, the riders and families were able to feast on a Thanksgiving dinner while watching riders race. Some fans also won prizes during Winter Nationals like motocross gear and bikes.

For more information on Mesquite MX, visit www.mesquitemx.com.