As the current XC1 Pro points leader heading into the ninth round, Russell began on the first row of the unique live engine start, alongside Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Josh Strang, N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Jordan Ashburn and KTM Support rider and XC2 Pro Lites points leader Grant Baylor, who entered this race in fifth place in the overall standings. Russell got a good jump and led the front-runners into the opening lap of racing, but the reigning champ had a few heavy challengers early on with the time adjustment.

Back on the third row was RideMPS.com/AMSOIL/Honda’s Thad DuVall, who quickly made his way into the second place position with about twenty-seconds of time adjustment on his side. Factory Husqvarna’s Andrew Delong interjected himself into the battle by lap two, where he exchanged positions with DuVall and Ashburn throughout the first three laps. However, things quickly took a turn for the worst for DuVall on the fourth lap just as he broke into the overall lead on the adjusted time clock. DuVall began experiencing mechanical issues that ultimately ended his day with a tow back to the pits, which was a very disappointing ending to the day for the West Virginia native.

Amidst the increasingly difficult Snowshoe track conditions, the top three contenders seemed to keep the pace and consistency all afternoon. Russell maintained a lead that just couldn’t be touched, while Ashburn continued to chase down the leader in the second place position. Despite a hard charge by the Tennessee native of Ashburn, Russell finished more than three minutes ahead of the pack to capture his third straight win of the season. After nine rounds of racing, Russell holds the XC1 Pro points lead heading into the summer break.

Ashburn put forth a career-best performance with a second place overall for the day.

Factory FMF/KTM’s Steward Baylor Jr. had a come-from-behind performance, making his way from outside the top ten on the first lap to finish fifth overall for the day and fourth in the XC1 Pro class. Johnny Campbell Racing Honda’s Chris Bach began just behind Baylor and finished fifth overall for the day.

After running just outside the top three overall in the beginning, Strang finished the day sixth in the XC1 class, and ninth overall.

The battle for the lead position in the XC2 Pro Lites class was one of the most exciting, as Grant Baylor and Trevor Bollinger went head-to-head for the class win. The duo went back and forth all afternoon, but it was the reigning XC2 champ Baylor who came out victorious after three hard hours of racing. Baylor’s performance was good enough to land him fourth overall, while Bollinger came in second in the XC2 class, and sixth overall.

Pennsylvania’s Nick Davis put his KR4 Arrive-N-Ride KTM atop the XC2 Pro Lites podium for the second straight week with an impressive hard-charge late in the race. Maxxis/KLIM/DirtWise KTM Race Team’s Jesse Groemm finished fourth in the class, while Raines Riding University/Atlas Cycles’ Ricky Russell rounded out the top five.

Indiana’s Mike Witkowski earned yet another $125 American Kargo Top Amateur Award with 17th overall, while grabbing the 250 A class win at Snowshoe.

In the 10 a.m. race, it was West Virginia’s very own Stephen Thaxton who captured the overall victory. Thaxton edged out his Super Senior A 45+ competitor Ricky Matteson, who took second overall for the day, as well as second place in the class. In a last ditch effort to capture a podium position in front of his home state crowd, 200 C winner Coalton Cupp put himself into third overall with an impressive last-lap charge for third.