Glen Helen MX, Devore, CA 8-10-09

Story and photos by Brittany Bloodworth

Another weekend, another race right? Not exactly, this QuadCross event was a bit different. Dustin Nelson (2008 Quad Cross Champion) and Jeremie Warnia went into round six tied for the points lead at 112. Nelson was able to pull the holeshot for the first moto, and led most of the race without any pressure from any of the other racers. Nearing down to the end, Warnia was able to not only catch up to Nelson but also made a slick pass around him. However Nelson turned up the heat, and passed him back around the next straight. It was an intense last lap. The two riders raced extremely close together. Warnia later managed to find himself tangled with a hay bale and struggled to get free while Nelson sprinted away. Nelson went on to win the first moto with Warnia holding on to his second place ride, while Justin Noss rounded out the top three.

 

Sage Baker and Jason Dunkleberger.

 

Moto 2
The second moto start was about the same with Nelson leading the way, but as the pack rounded the second corner and headed up the first hill of legendary Glen Helen Raceway, Warnia made the pass around Nelson to take over the lead position. The real race in this moto was for the third position. Sage Baker and Jason Dunkleberger battled it out tooth and nail. Sage was able to edge out Dunk for most of the race until they headed into the back section. Dunk was able to get an edge on Baker and they were side by side, you could actually hear their tires rubbing together. Unfortunately Baker ended up on the bad side of this deal when he crashed – giving Dunk the third place spot in the second moto. Jeremie Warnia went on to win second moto and along with it the overall for the day. The fast Frenchman now leads the series by three points. Dustin Nelson finished second and Noss was able to pull off third overall with a 3-4 finish.

Dustin Nelson

 

Jeremie Warnia

But the exciting race of the day was the Open Pro Class when Kory Ellis showed up with riding gear. Ellis was able to take the win in the first moto over Jeremie Warnia, and Jason Dunkleberger. But have you ever heard the Toby Keith song “I’m not as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was”? I would like to say this is Kory’s theme song for the race. Warnia was able to take the win for the second moto while “KLS” finished up in a tired second, which is actually pretty amazing in the day and age of all the seat time today’s pros get versus his lack of. Jason “Slam Dunk” Dunkleberger rounded out the Open pro class podium.

Kory Ellis still has what it takes. Here he’s seen riding on to a win in moto one of the Open Pro class

 

Another podium for Justin Noss

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