Motocross Racing: St. Jacob teen races to fourth at the dirt track nationalchampionship

The week of July 6 was nothing but excitement for St. Jacob teen Matthew Guenther, a 15-year-old incoming sophomore at Triad High School.

Guenther competed in a week-long AMA event, the Dirt Track Grand National Championship, at the Du Quoin, Ill., State Fairgrounds.

The week-long event included racing on a one-mile, indoor short track and two indoor TT (Tourist Trophy) tracks, which are a special form of flat track that includes at least one right-hand turn and a jump. The weather did not favor well, so the ½-mile race was canceled and they added another TT race. Guenther competed in all races on his Yamaha YZ 250 F DTX motorcycle.

Prior to the Grand Championships, Guenther attended training with pro rider Johnny Lewis. At this training, Guenther gave himself a goal to rank in the top four nationally and to gain a podium spot. He did just that. He received two podium achievements, which included a third-place finish for the short track race and second-place finish for the last TT race.

As the week ended and all of the points were tabulated, he secured the fourth-place ranking nationally, missing the third ranking by only one point.

At age 7, Guenther started racing TT with District 18. He has continued to race the district and has won several district championships. Two years ago, the St. Jacob native told his step-dad, Keith Singleton, that he wanted to race flat track.

Guenther saved his money and used his resources to get the bike parts and suspension he needed for that style of racing. He then started competing in short tracks, ½-miles and indoor TTs. This is what prepared him for nationals.

Guenther will continue to race the remainder of this season, along with the winter indoor season, and he plans to race in Daytona Bike Week in the spring of 2016.

He is the son of Jill and Keith Singleton of St. Jacob, and Matt Guenther and Shelli Groshans of Collinsville.

This story was originally published July 23, 2015 at 3:15 AM with the headline "Motocross Racing: St. Jacob teen races to fourth at the dirt track nationalchampionship."