PRESENTED BY MAXXIS, AN AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
VOL. 54 ISSUE 9 MARCH 7, 2017 P75
Fourth overall was XC2-class winner Josh Toth
on the N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha. He took the check-
ers just 18 seconds behind Sipes!
Layne Michael (Coastal Racing Husqvarna) was
the next-best XC2 rider in eighth overall.
More than 650 racers turned out for the series
opener, making it crowded out on the racecourse,
and Josh Strang (Rockstar Energy/Factory
Husqvarna) got things started by grabbing the All
Balls Racing $250 Holeshot Award. Unfortunately
for the Aussie, he came into the race with an ankle
that was still not fully healed from an injury that he
sustained while competing in last year's ISDE. As
a result, he couldn't maintain the fast pace and
started to drop back. At one point, he stopped to
help an injured rider and eventu-
ally pulled out of the race.
Beta's Jordan Ashburn led for
a bit, then it was Russell's turn
to take the reins, but Baylor was
right behind him during the sec-
ond lap of what would be a six-
lap race. (Lap times were right
around the 30-minute mark.)
Not long after taking the lead, Russell was de-
layed by a lapped rider right at the worst possible
moment—on a hill. That allowed Baylor to take the
lead, and Russell started the third lap 23 seconds
behind Baylor.
Knowing Russell, the defending champ, wasn't
far behind him, Baylor kicked it into high gear and
focused on being smooth and fast in the South
Carolina woods. He actually put a second on
Russell after the fourth lap and another five sec-
onds on Russell after the fifth lap.
Russell just couldn't gain any time on the flying
Baylor.
When the checkered flag came out after the
sixth lap, Baylor had opened up his lead over
Russell by another full minute, officially crossing
the finish line 1:29.187 ahead of Russell.
"I knew coming into this race that Russell and
[Thad] Duvall [who was fourth after the first lap]
would be the guys to be with," said Baylor. "I put
Many were
predicting a win
by defending
champ Kailub
Russell but
Steward Baylor
(514) thought
otherwise.
