Ashley Crouch was able to run yet another outstanding race to finish second, keeping her second place in the point standings behind Defending Champion Maria Forsberg. Although she started last on the line, she was able to play a determined game of catch up to pick off enough riders and move into second by the end of the first lap. Crouch however would have to stay in second behind KTM mounted Hannah Otto who grabbed her first win of the season. Mandi Mastin finished third.
"I just couldn't catch Hannah all day," Crouch said. "I was pretty much playing catch up the entire first part of the race and then got stuck behind Shelby Rolen and Rachel Gutish. But the track was good and I'm really looking forward to getting back out there on Sunday."
Arm pump set in early for Jimmy Jarrett who saw as high as 2nd place in the first lap. Jarrett began to fade back but had set up a heated battle with KTM's Nathan Kanney. He was unfortunately taken out by a lapper when he and Kanney split to go around him on the fourth lap.
"Nate went on one side of a lapper and I went on the other and he decided to turn into me and that was it," Jarrett said. "I was about a foot in the ground. I gave myself a stinger and had dead arms and was unable to continue. It was a bummer but I still have one more day to go to have a good race."
Watkins continues to improve on the 450 in the XC1 class, this time making a solid campaign in the top 10. Watkins got a decent jump off the starting line, but was shuffled to the back, finishing the first lap in 14th place. But as Watkins worked his way around the track, he was able to pick off riders and steadily move up the ranks to finish 7th, seven seconds behind Nate Kanney.
"I just kept catching people here and there," Watkins said. "I was catching a guy about every lap.The bike felt great with a softened suspension and some other changes I made since the last OMA. Hopefully I'll do even better on Sunday.
In XC2 Rory Mead struggled with his mental game and had a hard time putting together a drive for the front. Rory began the race in the top 10 riders, and finished 18th for the day.
"I really hit the wall on the second lap," he said. "I just had a tough day. I'm going to try and get some good rest and get my head right for Sunday."
The second race of the double header event begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, TN.
Jarrett and Watkins would like to thank team sponsors JG Off road, GEICO, American Honda, Kenda, Silkolene, EBC, Tsubaki, Ride PG, Rekluse, Moose, Cycra, Arai, FMF, G2, IMS, BRP, Renthal, Works Connection, Factory Connection, Smith Optics, and Sidi.
Watkins would like to thank his additional sponsors Parts Unlimited, and ProMoto Billet.
Jarrett would also like to thank individual sponsors No Toil, CV4, and Outerwears.
Crouch would like to thank sponsors JG Offroad, GEICO, American Honda, Kenda, Silkolene, EBC, Tsubaki, Ride PG, Rekluse, Moose, Cycra, Scott, Tucker Rocky, Ogio, PMP, Spruill Honda, and Factory Connection.
XC1 Results
Paul Whibley (YAM)
Cory Buttrick (KTM)
Josh Strang (SUZ)
Kailub Russell (KTM)
Russell Bobbitt (KTM)
Nathan Kanney (KTM)
Scott Watkins (HON)
Jesse Robinson (BET)
Kenneth GIlbert (KTM)
Toby Price (KTM)
XC2 Results
Jordan Ashburn (YAM)
Steward Baylor (KTM)
Andrew Delong (HSQ)
Jason Thomas (HSQ)
Roman Dumontier (YAM)
Ted Mullins (YAM)
Dustin Gibson (KTM)
AJ Stewart (YAM)
Jase Lewis (KTM)
Justin Bonita (KTM)
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