The seventh round of the ITP Quad Cross was back at Glen Helen, only after a two week break. The riders were in attendance and ready to get going. The track did not have too many changes since the last race, only a section was being cut out, so everyone knew the track pretty well. We were glad that unlike two weeks ago, it was not raining.

The track was much better than two weeks ago. We weren’t having any problems getting stuck in the mud this time. The ruts got pretty bad and there were a few racers who dropped back many positions, but that's all part of racing.

There were 17 Pros signed up to race. Jeff Spooner who took the win at the last round was hoping to make it a back-to-back win, but Dustin Nelson was in high hopes of redeeming himself after his crash at the last round.

Pro Moto One
The gate dropped and Spooner was out front to grab the hole shot on his DASA built Honda 450, with TJ Dietrich and Cyle Chislock right behind him coming out of the Talladega. Spooner was still out front after the first lap, with Chislock in the second place position, and Dustin Nelson running in the third spot trying to make the pass into second. Nelson was able to make his pass putting him in the second place position, but now he would have to reel in Spooner if he wanted to take the first moto win. Nelson seemed to be making up the time on Spooner, but went off the track in one of the corners, and lost a few seconds; giving Jeff Spooner a break. Spooner was still riding as hard as he could. Chislock was running in a strong third place position with TJ Dietrich in the fourth spot, and Doug Eichner running in fifth. Jeff Spooner was putting up an amazing battle but two corners before the checkered flag Nelson made the pass around Spooner to take home the overall. Jeff Spooner grabbed the second place position, and Cyle Chislock rounded out the top three.

Pro Moto Two
Jeff Spooner once again grabbed the hole shot for the second moto. Spooner was leading the race with Dustin Nelson running in the second place position, and Chris Riley running in the third spot. John Shafe was running in the fourth spot right behind Chris Riley, and was eventually able to make the pass and put himself into the third place position. TJ Dietrich made his way into the fourth place position after making the pass on Riley as well. Spooner was putting on another great battle with Nelson, but Nelson was eventually able to make the pass around Spooner in one of the straight-aways. Chislock who ran a great second moto, blew a head gasket in the second moto, and was forced to end his race early. Also Doug Eichner had some problems in the second moto with his fuel line coming off, forcing him to drop back a few positions, but he was able to fix the problem and finish the race. Chris Riley also had a problem with getting stuck in one of the ruts during his race dropping to the back of the pack after having the best laps in his entire life.

With two laps to go, Nelson knew he still had to ride as hard and as smart as he possibly could if he wanted to take home the win. Jeff Spooner was not about to give up, still in hope of taking the back-to-back win. But when the checkered flag came out, it was Nelson who was able to cross the finish line in the first place position. Jeff Spooner grabbed the second spot, and John Shafe rounded out the top three for the second moto.

Dustin Nelson grabbed the overall for the weekend, and extended his lead once again for the series. Jeff Spooner finished second for the weekend, and put himself in a safe second place position for the overall series. Doug Eichner rounds out the top three for the series points, but there are still four rounds left and anything can happen.

+ 30 Intermediate
Pete Garcia grabbed the win for the weekend in the +30 class with a 2-1 finish. Francisco Ruano grabbed the second place position with a 3-2 finish, and Rodger marks rounded out the top three with a 1-4 finish. Rodger Marks is leading the series for the +30 class.

2-stroke and 4-stroke (71cc – 90cc) 8-11 years
Austin Baxter grabbed the first place position with a 1-1 finish. Kyle Gillespie in the second place position with a 3-2 finish. Bradley Szymanski, who is also the leader in points for the overall series, rounded out the top three with a 2-4 finish.

Women’s Intermediate
Lynn Prosser grabbed the overall for the weekend with a 1-1 finish, while Danielle Amundson took home the second place position with a 2-2 finish.

2-stroke and 4-stroke Expert (265cc - 450cc)
Dean Pierce grabbed the overall for the weekend with a 2-1 finish, and extended his points lead for the series. Justin Noss grabbed the second place position with a 3-2 finish, and Bubba Hustead rounded out the top three with a 5-3 finish. Dennis Capogni, Keith Taylor, and Landon Hurst, who are usually up in the front of the pack had quad problems this weekend, forcing them to end up in the back of the pack.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the next round which will be held at Speed World in Surprise AZ, September 23.