Like the XC1 race, the XC2 race as a two-man battle, with class rivals Kailub Russell and Jason Thomas going at it for most of the race. Over the summer break, Thomas' team, Monster Energy Andrews Cycles, made the switch to Husqvarna machinery and Thomas was making his first start on the new TXC 250 and he was hoping to get a win.
After battling during the early stages with KTM rider Jesse Robinson and GEICO/JG Off Road/ Monster Energy Kawasaki's Scotty Watkins, Thomas and Russell broke away and spent the rest of the race swapping the lead. The race was finally decided on the final lap, within sight of the finish line, when Russell and Thomas came together and Thomas ended up going down. In end end, Russell put his FMF/KTM across the finish line three seconds sooner than Thomas to claim his sixth win of the series.
"I had a couple of crashes today, but I was able to catch back up each time," said Russell. "There at the end, me and Jason were both going for the same line and we came together and he got the bad end of the deal."
Thomas was disappointed at the way the race ended but he was pleased with his new bike and his team.
"I just wanted to win it was all the people who supported me today," said Thomas.
Watkins rounded out the podium, beating out KTM's Steward Baylor Jr. for the position by just over two minutes.
Zach Nolan made his XC2 debut a good one by finishing fifth, while fellow KTM rider Nick Davis rode a solid race to finish sixth.
Nicholas Hunter (KTM), Morgan Moss (Yam), Jason Klammer (KTM) and Brian Lawson (Yam) rounded out the top 10.
Main Photo:Jimmy Jarrett
Credit: Shan Moore
XC1 Results:
1. Jimmy Jarrett (Kaw)
2. Nate Kanney (KTM)
3. Chris Bach (KTM)
4. Josh Strang (Suz)
5. Thad DuVall (Yam)
6. Cory Buttrick (KTM)
7. Barry Hawk Jr. (Yam)
8. Glenn Kearney (Hus)
9. Paul Whibley (Yam)
10. Charlie Mullins (Yam)
XC1 Standings:
1. Josh Strang (229/4 wins)
2. Charlie Mullins (205/3 wins)
3. Cory Buttrick (190/1 win)
4. Paul Whibley (176)
5. Chris Bach (171)
6. Nate Kanney (167/1 win)
7. Glenn Kearney (148)
8. Barry Hawk Jr. (123)
9. Kenneth Gilbert (112)
10. Jimmy Jarrett (107/1 win)
XC2 Results:
1. Kailub Russell (KTM)
2. Jason Thomas (Hus)
3. Scott Watkins (Kaw)
4. Steward Baylor Jr. (KTM)
5. Zach Nolan (KTM)
6. Nick Davis (KTM)
7. Nicholas Hunter (KTM)
8. Morgan Moss (Yam)
9. Jason Klammer (KTM)
10. Brian Lawson (Yam)
XC2 Standings:
1. Kailub Russell (253/6 wins)
2. Jason Thomas (240/1 win)
3. Jesse Robinson (211/2 wins)
4. Scott Watkins (189)
5. Steward Baylor Jr. (162)
6. David Snyder (114)
7. Mark Fortner (112)
8. Brian Lawson (112)
9. Nicholas Hunter (94)
10. Dustin Gibson (93)
