Yamaha’s Dustin Nelson took his third win of the 2011 Yamaha Quad-X series at Cahuilla Creek MX in Anza, CA, after battling Beau Baron for the lead in both motos.
Nelson’s third victory in as many races makes him the series points leader with a total of 75. Baron claimed second overall with 2-2 moto finishes, placing him nine points behind Nelson in the standings. Dirkie Baard completed the podium with 4-3 moto finishes giving him third place overall.
Baron took the holeshot in the first moto, and held the early lead. Nelson began to set up a pass for the lead halfway through the third lap, and was able to get around Baron just before the whoops section.
Nelson held the lead for the remainder of the race, but Baron continued to pressure him all the way to the checkered flag.
Baron also claimed the holeshot of the second moto, as Nelson and his teammate Josh Row fought for second place through the first turn. A small mistake from Baron let Nelson get close enough to attempt a pass for the lead.
Baron and Nelson battled through two sets of whoops, and it was Nelson who came out with the lead. Baron held on to second place and sits in second place in the point standings with 66.
Josh Row, Dirkie Baard and Ethan Thatcher battled throughout the first moto for third, fourth and fifth place. In the second moto, Baard passed Row to take third place in the moto and third place overall with 4-3 moto finishes.
Row’s 3-4 moto finishes gave him fourth overall, while Thatcher rounded out the top 5 with fifth place finishes in both motos. Thatcher still sits third in the series points standings with 58.
Cool temperatures and overcast skies made for great racing on the quad-friendly Cahuilla Creek track. Round #4 takes the Quad-X Series to Speedworld MX in Surprise, Arizona on June 18th, which will be the first night race of the year.
For more information on the Yamaha Quad-X Series visit www.quadxseries.com.
