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Nashville Ultracross By CHRIS DEUTSCHEN NASHVILLE, TN, JAN. 14·15 t seems that Germany agrees with Jason Thomas. The Florida rider sponsored by LCR spent the winter riding and racing in Germany, and he came back to the 'States to absolutely dominate both nights of racing in Nashville. Neither poor starts nor crashes could stop the Yamaha rider as he put a hurt on a field of top regional talent. The only race that Thomas didn't win was Saturday night's Dash For Cash - and that was because he wasn't in the race, instead preferring to rest up for the two main events that followed. Matt Shue, an F&S Suzuki rider, took full advantage of Thomas' absence to win the four-lap race in Denny Stephenson style and capture the prize of $2000 that had been donated by PACE and the very generous Nashville fans. Behind Thomas, Clark Stiles and Brian Stone split the majority of the podium positions, with Stone grabbing three thirds and a second, and Stiles collecting a pair of seconds. William Wilson and Austin Raubs collected the remaining podium spots as the technical Nashville track took its toll on many of the favored riders. As the gate dropped on Friday's first main (the 125cc), Georgia's Shue had the fastest reflexes and he jumped out to an early lead over Thomas and Stiles. As the riders settled down, Shue appeared to have things in control, setting a fast pace and keeping Thomas behind him. Behind the leaders, Nashville local Scott Graves was in fourth, with Stone right behind him. Shue seemed to have things well in hand until the eight lap, when the entire order was shaken up. A technical whoop section on the back side of the track had been giving riders problems all evening, and Shue's luck ran out as the last three whoops jumped up and bit him. Thomas took full advantage of this to jump into the lead and essentially seal the victory. Behind Thomas, Stiles took control of second, and Stone made the move on Graves to claim third and the final podium position. I 22 FEBRUARY 16, 2000' cue (Left) The...·s no doubting the fact that Jason Thomas had a good weekend at the Nashville Ultracross. winning four out of four races in the 125cc and 250cc classes. (Top) Clark Stiles was the 125cc runner-up on both nights of competition. (Above) Brian Stone gamered three thirds and a second place. Friday's 250cc main had all the excitement a motocross fan could hope for. When the gate dropped, Stiles beat everyone to the first turn to steal the holeshot, followed by Thomas, Stone and Shue. Stiles looked like he had learned something following Thomas in the 125cc main, and he set the pace for the first three laps. However, Thomas was not to be denied, and he slipped past Stiles and tried to pull away. Stiles didn't give up, and he tried an all-or-nothing pass at the end of the whoops that ended up sending both riders to the ground. Thomas was up quickly, but both Shue and Stone slipped past. Stiles was pretty much done for the night. Shue's lead lasted less than 200 feet; he cased the finish-line jump and went down. Stone was left with nowhere to go and he piled into Shue. Thomas was able to motor past, retaking the lead, and he held it to the finish. As the dust settled, Midwest Perfection Honda rider Raubs found himself in second, with Stone recovering for third. • • n e _ s As the gate dropped on Saturday night's 125cc main, a familiar group of riders led the pack. Cycle Specialists Kawasaki rider Stone grabbed his first holeshot, followed by Thomas and Stiles. Stone's lead was shortlived, as Thomas pushed his way past on lap two and moved out to a commanding lead. Stone seemed solid in the second position, as Stiles had his hands full with Lance Cossey. On lap five, Cossey actually made the pass on Stiles to move into third, but that position was quickly retaken by a charging Stiles on the next lap. Stiles then upped the pace and passed Stone on lap eight to secure second. However, that was as far as Stiles would progress, as Thomas was firmly in control up front and cruising to his third win of the weekend. Stone stayed steady for third. Things were shaken up a bit in the 250cc main as Shue pulled another holeshot, followed by Stone, with Thomas in third and Stiles in fourth. The top four riders were circling the track like a freight train until the first rider dropped the pace. Stiles looked strong, but a mechanical gremlin ended his day. Shue was the next rider to depart, as Thomas's endless hounding proved to be too much. Once again, Thomas assumed the lead, and he was prepared to check out. Behind him, Stone settled into second, and together the two riders left the rest of the pack in their dust. The battle for third was closely contested, but Wilson made his drive from North Carolina worthwhile as he finally landed on the podium after a tough weekend of racing. eN Municipal Auditorium Nashville, Tennessee Resuhs:Januaryl4-15,ZOOO Friday 125: I. Jason Thomas (Yam); 2. Clark Stiles (Suz); 3. Brian Stone (Kew); 4. Scott Graves (Yam): 5. Josh Whitmire (Yam). 250: 1. Jason Thomas (Yam): 2. Austin Raubs (Hon); 3. Brian Stone (Kaw); 4. Scott Graves (Yam); 5. William Wilson (Kew). Saturday 125: 1. JlIson Thomas (Yam); 2. Clark Stiles (Suz); 3. Brian Stone (Kaw); 4. Austin Raubs (Hon); 5. Scott Graves (Yem). 250: 1. Jason Thomes (Yam): 2. Brian Stone (Kew); 3. William Wilson (Kaw); 4. Austin Raubs (Hen); 5. John Ad.m (5uz).