where all teams would load up
and "transfer" to a restart due to
unpassable course, Dalton held
a near five-minute gap over a
tightly contested top six.
Following the restart, the race
for the lead sizzled down to mere
seconds on adjusted time as
Shirey's FX450 suffered from
rear brake issues 150 miles in.
For the next 70 miles, an all-out
dog fight ensued as six teams
were all within striking distance
for the win on corrected time.
The N1 team of Hintz/Hunter
were the first to crack, as bike
issues and a hard crash dropped
them out of contention at the
halfway point.
Rookies David Broderick and
Luke Reynolds caught fire at the
halfway point and had passed into
second place physically, inching
ahead of the factory teams and
riders in the process. A late-race
crash, however, pulled them out
of the running as they neared the
finish line in Dayton.
In the final 200 miles, the vet-
erans rose to the top and started
to take control of the top of the
leaderboard. The factory Beta
outfit tightened the gap on Shirey
as they kept their riders fresh,
swapping riders as opposed to
Shirey's solo effort.
Meanwhile, Husqvarna rally
racer Skyler Howes put in 400
smooth and consistent miles,
slowly reeling in time over his
competitors before a late-race
charge solidified his victory in
a time of 6:33:30 over Shirey's
6:37:34. The Beta duo of Joe
Wasson and Zane Roberts fin-
ished on the heels of Shirey in a
time of 6:38:42.
Other notable finishers include
top Ironman Jim Herrero (7:27:01
finishing time), the first Expert
team of Gregory Pheasant
(7:35:30), and the top Women
duo of Kimberly Loppnow and
Krista Conway (7:56:50).
The effects of the rain and
course damage were felt by all
racers as they felt it critical to
Dalton Shirey was the
early leader but slowed
with brake issues.
He would hold on for
second.
VOLUME 59 ISSUE 33 AUGUST 16, 2022 P41
