proach to the race. (He clinched
the 2022 title with two rounds
to go.) It was business as usual
for the champ, who said, "I just
kept [my approach] the same
because you've got to keep it
consistent and not make it so
stressful going into a champion
-
ship race. It's just another day on
a dirt bike at the end of the day,
and I'm just more thankful to be
out here on my dirt bike, enjoy
-
ing it."
Fourth off the start behind
Shirey, Johnny Campbell Racing
(JCR) Honda's Preston Campbell
and Pearson, Roberts (FMF/
Pirelli/Klim) said, "It's kind of
the story at Panaca: Wherever
you start is roughly where you're
going to finish—unless it rains,
which usually happens right
after the race. I need to get that
start [dialed in]. That's kind of
the big thing at these, so we'll
work on that."
Hampered by limited riding
time lately due to some small
injuries as he focuses on the
upcoming ISDE in Argentina,
Pearson and his Dynamic Dirt
Suspension/Sportsman Cycles/
Moose Racing YZ450F finally
conceded second overall on the
final loop. "I kind of noticed it—I
was kind of riding sloppy and
not as clean as I wish I was," he
said. "I'm just happy for third."
Campbell rode fourth most of
the afternoon, followed by Liqui
-
Moly Beta's Joe Wasson and
Klein Off-Road Racing (KORR)
KTM-mounted Carter Klein.
After chasing former series
champ Jacob Argubright on
the first loop, Clayton Roberts
moved into seventh overall to
stay, thus winning Pro 250 for
the fifth time in a row aboard
his Blud Lubricants/Kenda/Fast
House EX 250. "I made it work
with the cards I got and ended
up getting it done and had a
good day once I got clear," he
said.
Class runner-up Nic Colangelli
chased him but was five minutes
back at the finish on his 3 Bros.
KTM 250 XC. Argubright and his
Regulus Performance KX450
rode it in for ninth overall with
Slam Life Racing (SLR) Honda's
D.J. Weber 10th overall and third
Pro 250.
Puckett finished 18th overall
for his fifth-straight Vet Pro 35+
VOLUME ISSUE SEPETEMBER , P55
Clayton Roberts was fifth overall at
the start but tipped over after slowly
riding off the course in the whiteout.
He recovered to claim the Pro 250
title with his fifth win of the season.
