VOLUME 56 ISSUE 40 OCTOBER 8, 2019 P39
less day."
As he usually does, Steward
got off to a slow start. However,
he picked up the pace near the
end of the race to slip past Ricky
Russell to claim the runner-up
slot. With two races remaining,
Steward's main focus is on the
championship.
"With the championship on
the line, anything can go wrong,"
said Steward. "So, for most of
the day I rode consistent. I knew
I didn't need to push it too hard
with the points gap that I have.
I've got to focus on the champi-
onship more than anything."
Ricky Russell was a surprise
entry. The Am Pro Yamaha rider
also surprised everyone (and
himself) by landing on the po-
dium with a third.
Russell had been in the Mid-
west attending the AIMExpo and
decided to stick around for the
enduro. He's also thinking about
riding the series in 2020, so it
was a good opportunity to get
his feet wet.
The Indiana race marked just
the second enduro Russell had
ever ridden so he came into it
not knowing what to expect.
"I really didn't know where I fit
in against these guys," said Rus-
sell. "I usually struggle at these,
but I finished second in the first
three tests, so I was second
place behind Grant at the half-
way point. I was like, 'man, I'm
beating Stew.' I know Stew is the
master at these, so I felt good.
Then I got kind of smoked on the
fourth test, and then the sixth
test I went through a creek really
fast and my bike shut off. I sat
there turning it over for probably
10 to 15 seconds. Then I rode
way over my head after that to
try to make up the time. But I'm
happy to get third."
Husqvarna/Max Motorsports/
FXR's Evan Smith battled back
and forth with GasGas North
(Left) Grant Baylor won all tests
en route to the overall win at the
Muddobber National Enduro in
Indiana. (Below) Steward Baylor
made it another 1-2 Baylor-
brothers finish. PHOTOS: SHAN MOORE
