It would not take long for Fowler to make his way to the front of the pack, but Maxxis/Fly Racing/HMF/Ye Olde Cycle Barn/Suzuki’s Chris Borich was right behind him. The two battled and passed the first place position to each other a couple of times, but eventually Fowler was able to see a clear trail pulling away in the last half-mile of the race.

Meanwhile, Neal was putting his training to use by pushing through the pack. After starting next to last, Neal spent the majority of the race battling with N-Fab/Maxxis/AmPro Yamaha/Lonestar/MXP’s Cole Richardson and McGill.

“I’m very happy and proud to be back on the box,” said Neal. “This podium finish means a lot especially after getting tangled up on the start and coming back to fight through a tough pack.”

Once the white flag was out there was a drag race until the end. Borich pushed until the very end to pass Fowler, but just could not take the lead. Fowler would eventually cross the finish line followed by Borich and Neal.

“I never start the year off real well, and that’s not to say it can’t go downhill, but it feels great to have two wins in two races,” said Fowler. “I just want to dedicate the win to my sister as she’s not feeling well, but will be on the road to recovery soon.”’

McGill would finish the race with a solid fourth overall followed by JMR/ATVriders.com’s Jarrod McClure in fifth, Precision/Axis/Maxxis’ Jay Shadron in sixth and Merritt finished a remarkable seventh after his last place start. Show Hauler/Canyon Motorsports/GBC-backed Landon Wolfe placed eighth, Richardson in ninth and GBC/HMF/FLY Racing/Yamaha’s Johnny Gallagher rounded out the top 10 in the XC1 Pro class.

In the XC2 Pro-Am division, New Jersey native Randy Hamilton grabbed the $100 All Balls Racing Holeshot Award, but in the end it was Dillinger's Celtic Pub & Eatery/GBC Motorsports/Moose Racing’s Mary Christofferson who found his way back to the podium with the win after a not so favorable season opener. Christofferson was followed by XC2 Pro-Am rookie and Hygear Suspension/Waynesburg Yamaha/FLY Racing/Moto-Xperts/Spider Graphix’s Greg Covert placed second followed by Pierce Performance/Waynesburg Yamaha/Greg's ATV’s Bryson Hoppes.

“I saved myself in Florida,” said Christofferson. “I just felt a lot better today and the terrain here fits my style a little better. I loved the new track and felt like it put everyone on an equal playing field.”

The 10 a.m. race was one to go in the record books with Missouri’s Bryan Hulsey taking home the overall win along with $125 GT Thunder ATV Amateur Overall Award. The Super Senior (45+) competitor proved that he has what it takes to contend with the top amateurs. He was followed by 4x4 Pro class winner and Team UXC’s Racing’s Kevin Trantham who took second overall followed by Cunningham Racing/Can-Am/Spider Graphix/Gold Speed-backed Kevin Cunningham. Texas native Cody Miller placed fourth overall, but third in the 4x4 Pro class.

The WXC division took to the Georgia woods with speed, but at the end of the two-hour race it was Pennsylvania’s Traci Pickens, Ye Olde Cycle Barn/Maxxis/Fox Shocks’ Alicia McCormick and Houser Racing/Maxxis/Ye Olde Cycle Barn’s Kara Frederick on the podium.

Georgia native Dylan Walraven made it two-in-a-row in the 8 a.m. youth race, but he had some stiff competition right behind him with the Yamaha rider of Mikey Nickels. After finishing 34th overall last weekend, Bailey Morgerson had a standout performance where he rounded out the podium.

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