Bryce Ford Wins, Cody Ford Fourth, at Pleasure Valley
(Seward, Pennsylvania. July 1, 2023) Pleasure Valley Raceway, located near Johnstown, Pennsylvania, has witnessed several historic moments in the world of ATV motocross throughout the years. After a decade-long hiatus, this venue triumphantly returned to the ATV Motocross national circuit in 2020. For the past three seasons, this stunning facility nestled in the hills of west-central Pennsylvania has provided a picturesque racetrack for the fastest ATV racers on the planet, a sight unseen since 2010s. The track’s embrace of ATVs by owner Jeff Cernic, coupled with its unique obstacles and elevation, has made this event a beloved favorite for many riders. But perhaps no team relishes this race more than the Ford Brothers Racing team.
In recent years, Pleasure Valley has become the traditional host of ATV motocross’ Fourth of July round. In 2020, Ford Brothers Racing made a memorable impact when ATVs returned to Pleasure Valley Raceway. It feels like only yesterday when Bryce Ford, a rookie in the Pro Class, achieved his first-ever podium finish in his budding professional career. Now, at 21 years old, he has become a regular presence on the podium. Bryce continued his success by again securing third place overall at Pleasure Valley in 2021. The triumph wasn’t limited to Bryce alone, as Cody Ford clinched his first win in the Pro Mod class in 2020 at PVR. Therefore, it’s safe to say that the Ford brothers entered Round 8 with a strong wave of momentum generated by their previous performances at Pleasure Valley – resulting in possibly the most memorable weekend ever for the Ford family and their team.
The morning qualifying sessions witnessed prime conditions as Bryce and Cody secured respective 6th and 13th positions. However, the favorable weather wouldn’t last for long. Just before Pro Moto 1 at Pleasure Valley, rain began to fall, and conditions gradually deteriorated. While a strong start is crucial in adverse conditions, the Ford brothers proved that it wasn’t a prerequisite on this day. Bryce initially found himself outside the top five, with Cody outside the top ten. Nevertheless, they embarked on a journey to the front, steadily improving as the conditions worsened. At one point late in the race, when the conditions reached their worst, the brothers joined forces on the track to initiate a late race charge to the front. They fearlessly charged through the standing water in what resembled monsoon-like conditions and, remarkably, their lap times were nearly two minutes faster than anyone else on the racetrack. Bryce Ford executed a remarkable pass on defending champion Joel Hetrick with one corner to spare, securing the first moto victory, while Cody advanced from fifth to third on the white flag lap. This monumental moment marked a significant achievement for both the family and the team, as the Ford brothers claimed first and third positions on the Pro Class moto podium.
Pro Moto 2 in Pennsylvania was briefly delayed, but it became insignificant as steady rain resumed when riders lined up for their final race. In the second moto, starts improved considerably, with Bryce Ford grabbing the runner-up position at the start and skillfully navigating the challenging conditions to secure a second-place finish behind 8-time champion Chad Wienen. With impressive 1-2 moto finishes, there was never any doubt about the overall winner at Pleasure Valley. As for Cody, a strong 7th place start following his third-place finish in the day’s opening moto positioned him on the overall podium for a significant portion of the final moto. This would have marked Cody’s second overall podium in his professional career and the first since June 2019. With just one lap remaining, it seemed likely that Cody Ford would join his brother on the podium in first and third places. However, fate had other plans. Fellow racer Michael Allred executed a last lap pass that altered the standings and resulted in a tie. The tiebreaker is determined by Moto 2 finishes, leading to Kevin Saar ultimately claiming third overall and Cody Ford securing fourth. Nonetheless, it was an extraordinary day for Cody Ford and the entire Ford Brothers Racing team, a memory they will never forget.
After securing his second career Pro Class moto victory earlier in the day, Bryce Ford had just clinched the second overall victory of his career/season. And with his impressive 1-2 moto finishes, he tightened his grasp on second place in the series point standings, maintaining a 21-point advantage over 8-time champion Chad Wienen with just four gate drops remaining in the 2023 season. What an impressive season Bryce Ford has assembled thus far. Bryce entered the 2023 season with 8 career podium finishes, but he has nearly doubled that number, accumulating 14 podium finishes so far. His outstanding season includes 6 top-three overall finishes out of 8 attempts, including his first two moto wins and overall victories of the 21-year-old’s young career. As for Cody Ford, his strong performance at Pleasure Valley has placed him in the midst of an intense battle for the final top ten position in the series point standings. Although he remains five points behind Kevin Saar, who currently holds the coveted tenth spot, Cody has a clear opportunity ahead of him. If he continues to ride at his current level, he is likely to achieve his desired position by the end of the 2023 season.
“The Ford Brothers made it happen in the mud! Bryce Ford goes 1-2 for 1st overall and Cody Ford goes 3-8 for 4th overall. Impressive day.” The Ford Brothers Racing Team posted to their official social media account. “What a run. Ford boys go P1 & P3. [in Moto 1].”
The Ford Brothers Racing team enjoyed an exhilarating and highly successful weekend at Pleasure Valley. With just four motos remaining in the ATV Motocross National Championship, their goals are now within reach as they approach the thrilling conclusion of another remarkable year. The next event, the penultimate round of racing, awaits at Briarcliff Motocross in Nashport, Ohio, on the weekend of July 22/23. The team is determined to carry this momentum forward and put forth their best efforts. We look forward to seeing you there! Congrats to both Bryce and Cody Ford on unforgettable performances in Pennsylvania!
