Zach Is Back! Bell Wins Glen Helen NGPC
P
utting injury and bike issues
behind him, Chaparral Motor-
sports/Precision Concepts Ka-
wasaki's Zach Bell put in a classic
Bell performance at the Prospec-
tors Motorcycle Club Grand Prix,
round seven of the FMF AMA
National Grand Prix Champion-
ship (NGPC) Series.
Leading basically from start to
finish in the weekend's 90-min-
ute feature race, the 2017 series
champ was untouchable and
put an end to Dante Oliveira's
win streak at three straight, the
FMF/Maxxis/RPM Racing KTM
rider forced to settle for second,
40 seconds behind Bell who
notched his third series victory
of the season. Two-time and
defending series champ Trevor
Stewart claimed his fifth-straight
podium performance with his
third place.
While Bell is out of the champi-
onship due to his injury-induced
absence, the points chase saw a
change at the top. Rockstar En-
ergy Husqvarna's Austin Walton
was unable to advance beyond
fourth place and thus ceded the
top spot in points to Oliveira, 154-
152, with Stewart a solid third at
140, all unofficially.
"It's only been a little over a
month since the surgery [on my
broken collarbone] so I'm way
ahead of schedule, but I really
worked hard for this. I'm glad to
be back," Bell said. "I've been
really patient, just trying to take
my time coming back. I put
IN
THE
WIND
P42
Zach Bell put in a flawless
ride at the Prospectors
Grand Prix, evoking
memories of the way he
started the season in
winning the first two rounds
and signaling he's well
healed from that broken
collarbone that sidelined
him for a few rounds.
PHOTOS: MARK KARIYA
