VOL. 56 ISSUE 8 FEBRUARY 26, 2019 P33
seemingly endless twist and turns, winning in three
hours, 33 minutes and 25 seconds. Wasson se-
cured second (equaling his career-best finish from
last year's finale) on the last loop aboard his Kenda/
FMF/Alpinestars-backed 430 RR Factory Edition in
3:34:31, saying, "The third loop was really a mental
struggle because turn tracks are just relentless—you
just turn, turn, turn, turn, turn! For 100 miles, you've
got to really tell yourself, 'Just stay focused. Don't
get out of control. Don't ride over your head; stay
smooth.' That's what I did."
Having had a good run last year until he ran out
of gas near the end, local favorite Cole Kirkpatrick
knew what to expect aboard his Gnarly Routes/XC
Gear/Moose Racing KTM 250 SX. He explained, "I
knew the first loop was going to be real high-speed.
For me, it's out of my comfort zone."
After passing Norman for the lead early, Kirkpat-
rick handed it back voluntarily, saying, "I checked up
once I got into the riverbed because I had no busi-
ness leading those guys in that fast stuff! My focus
on the first loop—I think I was as far back as seventh
or eighth—but I just wanted to stay loose. I knew it
was going to get tighter as the day went on so I really
tried to focus on conserving some energy."
And he picked off rider after rider as projected,
finishing third overall in 3:35:47 and easily topping
the Pro 250 class.
Kirkpatrick added, "I think it's been 10 years, may-
be, since I've been on a National podium, like since
the national enduro days. It's been a long time!"
Norman said, "I didn't feel like I've been racing as
much as I did last year and I wasn't quite as aggres-
sive with so many corners [on this course].
"I've got to give props to Argubright and Wasson
and Kirkpatrick; they rode really good."
Beta's Chance Fullerton was five seconds behind
Norman to earn fifth with Purvines Racing Yamaha's
Nick Burson having to fight his way back from a bad
start to sixth. Gas Gas-mounted Clayton Gerstner,
KTM rider Ryan Grantom and Beta's Zane Roberts
(the Pro 250 runner-up) rounded out the top 10
overall.
Mark Kariya
Cole Kirkpatrick
did the locals
proud by taking
third overall
and winning the
250cc class.
Don't worry, Brandy—
you've got a huge
lead. Brandy Richards
dominated the Pro
Women class.
OVERALL
1. Jacob Argubright (Kaw)
2. Joseph Wasson (Bet)
3. Cole Kirkpatrick (KTM)
4. Kendall Norman (Hon)
5. Chance Fullerton (Bet)
6. Nick Burson (Yam)
7. Ricky Brabec (Hon)
8. Clayton Gerstner (Hus)
9. Ryan Grantom (KTM)
10. Zane Roberts (Bet)
