five points behind, making for
a similar situation as last year,
where the championship came
down to the final round.
To win the title, Hart needed
to win the round and get help
from another rider, who needed
to get between Hart and Walker.
When the first moto kicked
off, it was Haaker who quickly
moved to the front and comfort
-
ably held the position to the
finish. After a top-five
start, Hart
was able to work his way into
second behind Haaker by the
finish, although a lapper kept
him from a chance at the lead.
Walker, who wasn't as lucky
on the start, rode a brilliant race
from mid-pack to finish third.
Moto two, which uses an
inverted start, where the top fin-
ishers in moto one get the last
gate picks,
saw RPM Racing's
Angus Riordan get the start.
Webb quickly moved through
the pack to take the lead, with
Hart and Haaker in tow. Haaker
got around Hart in the matrix
section and set out after Webb,
taking over second when Webb
bobbled. Hart settled into third,
but a crash sent him to the
back of the pack, although he
Even if Hart won all three mo-
tos, he would need help to top
Walker
for the title.
That was just the start. The
math got even more complicat-
ed as the evening progressed.
To
kick off the evening, Walk-
er posted the fastest time dur-
ing the Hot Lap qualifying ses-
sion. Hart, who had won rounds
three
and four, was fourth-
fastest, behind Rockstar Energy
Husqvarna's Colton Haaker
and FactoryONE Sherco's Cody
Webb. Walker came into the
finale holding a seven-point lead
over Hart, with Haaker another
ROUND 6 / NOVEMBER 18, 2023
RENO-SPARKS LIVESTOCK EVENTS CENTER / RENO, NV
OFF-ROAD I IRC TIRE ENDUROCROSS SERIES PRESENTED BY PROGRESSIVE
P60
