Announced today that Maryland native Justin Rodbell will drive a Suzuki for the Twisted Tea/HEP Motorsports Suzuki team in the final two rounds of the 2022 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship RM-Z450. The team left Brandon Hartlandft with an ankle injury that will keep him out for the final four rounds of the season as his injury requires surgery, and Marshal Weltin is in the first of the tenth round. Got knocked down in a first-round crash during the race. However, Weltin will be attending this weekend as he joins under Rodbell’s fleet truck.
Rodbell raced the Partzilla PRMX Racing Team at the Monster Energy AMA Supercross before joining the Bud Builders Husqvarna Team Pro Motocross. On a trip to his hometown of Budds Creek National, Rod Bell said he was on his own deal for the rest of the summer, although he did not elaborate on why he was split from the Bud Builders team.
We have video recaps of our Best-Post-Race Show Ever sponsored by Twisted Tea, we do it straight from the pits after every race, no Hartranft and Weltin to jump on the camera, we grab Stayed with Rodbell because he rode well (18th 15-18 overall) because it was his home race as well. Our Jason Weigandt pointed out that the team may be looking for a replacement driver for the Hartranft and Weltin crashes. Now that the news is official, we’re not saying we were the reason for the deal, but you’re welcome, Justin!
Rodbell will be in yellow #55 at this weekend’s Ironman National.
REST: Justin Rodbell @justinbellrod will replace Brandon Hartlandft for the final two rounds of the @promotocross championship.
@brandonhartranft_ will be off for the upcoming race week after successful right ankle surgery. After a productive week of testing on the Suzuki RMZ-450, Rodbell filled his role on the team. Make sure you cheer on the colorful #55 racer to finish the championship.
While Hartranft’s surgery will sideline him in the near future, the team expects the New Jersey native to Fully recovered at the FIM World Supercross Championships this fall. Here’s the team’s post about Hartranft’s season-ending surgery.
UPDATE: @brandonhartranft_ will miss the remaining Outdoor Nationals. Hartranft injured his ankle after falling on Rd 8. After further evaluation, it was determined that he needed ankle surgery on the damaged ligaments. The team and Brandon hope he will be back for the WSX on October 8th at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, UK!
Main image by Mickey · Kendra
