Ryan Dungey & Factory Connection Racing Part Ways
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INSTAGRAM | @ryandungey
INSTAGRAM | @fchonda
Late last year, GEICO Honda and Ryan Dungey surprised the industry when the factory-Honda supported race team announced that the multi-time champion had joined their organization as a co-owner. It was a major development in all ways because, Dungey’s connections with the team were rather limited, as he never raced for them during his amateur or pro career, but he had developed a relationship with other owners Jeff Majkrzak and Rick Zielfelder over the years and his brother, Jade, handles the wrenching duties for Chase Sexton. The deal was done just before the start of the 2020 season and stated that Dungey would be an influential role to the team’s young riders at rounds of the Supercross and motocross season.
But on Wednesday, another unexpected statement was released and explained that Dungey would step back from his role as co-owner, effective immediately. “After months spent with the Factory Connection Racing team and discussions with the teams owners, it’s tough to say we will be discontinuing our relationship,” said Dungey in a team press release and separate social media post. “ found this is to be a larger commitment than I can give it at this stage in my life. It’s not in my style to do a job half way, nor is it fair to the team to not get the full efforts that they deserve.” It’s an understandable thing, especially when you consider that Dungey is only a few short years into his post-pro racing life and has started a family with wife Lindsay.
Dungey and Zielfelder were complimentary of each other in their statements, with Dungey praising the team and Zielfelder on Dungey’s personality. “My overall impression of the team is very high. I’m grateful for the time they gave me and how much Jeff Majkrzak and Rick Zielfelder helped me in my life journey. I hope for continued success for the team and the Honda organization,” shared Dungey.
“When we joined with Ryan just under three months ago, we had high hopes for our partnership, and we’re sorry to see it end prematurely,” said Zielfelder. “That said, we understand the significant travel and time commitments that come with team ownership, and we respect Ryan for recognizing that it wasn’t something he was prepared to do long-term. In addition to being a great champion, Ryan is a true professional, and it has been a pleasure to work together during this brief period. We wish him all the best going forward, and we look forward to seeing him at the races.”
With all that said, don’t expect anything to change at GEICO Honda. The team will line up with Chase Sexton, Jeremy Martin, and Jo Shimoda this weekend for the 2020 Atlanta Supercross and will continue on for the rest of the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross Series and the upcoming 2020 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.
The full statement from the team is posted below…
Factory Connection Racing and Ryan Dungey have mutually agreed to end the relationship that began at the end of last year, when the nine-time AMA Champion joined the GEICO Honda team as a part owner.
“When we joined with Ryan just under three months ago, we had high hopes for our partnership, and we’re sorry to see it end prematurely,” said Factory Connection Racing founder and owner Richard “Ziggy” Zielfelder. “That said, we understand the significant travel and time commitments that come with team ownership, and we respect Ryan for recognizing that it wasn’t something he was prepared to do long-term. In addition to being a great champion, Ryan is a true professional, and it has been a pleasure to work together during this brief period. We wish him all the best going forward, and we look forward to seeing him at the races.”
Ryan Dungey’s Instagram Statement- “After months spent with the Factory Connection Racing team and discussions with the team’s owners, it’s tough to say we will be discontinuing our relationship. I found this is to be a larger commitment than I can give it at this stage in my life. It’s not in my style to do a job halfway, nor is it fair to the team to not get the full efforts that they deserve. My overall impression of the team is very high. I’m grateful for the time they gave me and how much Jeff Majkrzak and Rick Zielfelder helped me in my life journey. I hope for continued success for the team and the Honda organization.”
ABOUT FACTORY CONNECTION RACING
Factory Connection Racing has been a satellite race team for American Honda since 1998 and the official 125 then 250 team for American Honda since 2001. Race wins in both classes in AMA Supercross and AMA Pro Motocross have led to eight regional Supercross titles and two National Motocross Championships. All of this has been accomplished on trusted and always fast Honda motorcycles.
