Behind Fowler the racing was intense as a host of riders began battling for a podium position as the two-hour race unfolded. Bneal Motorsports/CST Tires/Houser Racing’s Brycen Neal was the rider to catch as he showed the fans that he had come to round one with intensity and desire to get back on the podium. After an incredible effort, Neal would finish second, marking a solid start to the new season and his championship efforts. 

Maxxis/Fly Racing/Ye Olde Cycle Barn’s Chris Borich was primed for a fight at Big Buck. Now that round one is in the books, Borich is showing how his off-season preparations have equipped him to run with the front of the pack. Although an issue at the start caused him to have a dead last start off the line, he quickly made up that time after heading into the woods. As the checkered flag flew, Borich took home third overall. This could be the year that Borich has been looking for.

When McGill Mafia/CST Tires/Moose Racing’s Adam McGill came through the finish line on lap one, he was fighting through the mid-pack crowd of XC1 Pro riders. However, on lap two McGill would pick up the intensity, where he then found himself fighting for a podium finish. McGill would finish the day one spot off the podium in the fourth place position. 

JMR/ATVriders.com/Maxxis’ Jarrod McClure and GBC Motorsports/RJR/Solo Pilot’s Westley Wolfe would have a strong start to the 2018 season, as they finished in the fifth and sixth positions overall.

After suffering an injury last year, AmPro Yamaha’s Cole Richardson returned ready to race in South Carolina. He would come through on lap one in the second place position, but would ultimately finish out the day in the seventh place position. Cody Collier, Johnny Gallagher and XC1 Pro Rookie Devon Feehan would round out the top 10 overall.

The racing in the XC2 Pro-Am class was no less exciting as the Honda-backed rider, Austin Abney, claimed the first win in XC2 of the season. Coastal Racing’s Drew Landers made his mark by taking second after taming the brutal Big Buck track. Rounding out the XC2 podium in third was Ben Kowalewsk. The XC2 class should prove to be ultra competitive this season with a deep talent pool and hungry racers looking to make their own history as they march through the season. 

With an impressive UTV turnout, the race would be a great battle from start to finish. Heavy hitters like AmPro Yamaha’s, Cody Miller, and Can-Am/Chaney Racing’s, Kyle Chaney, would succumb to mechanical issues. Can-Am driver, Jamie McCoy, would claim the first UTV overall win of 2018, with Collin Truett taking second overall and Weller Racing/GBC/WFR/Yamaha’s, Walker Fowler, claiming his first UTV podium with a solid third place overall effort.

Walker Fowler was not the only racer to make the podium twice, as Collin Truett drove his Polaris ACE to the single seat UTV win alongside Team UXC’s Michael Swift in second, who also found the podium twice today with his podium finish in the 4x4 Pro class. Robert Boynton would claim the final single seat UTV podium position with third.

The 10 a.m. morning racers faced the best conditions of the day as warm temperatures set the stage for some great racing. The 4x4 Pro class was pounding the South Carolina clay as Kevin Cunningham put himself out front and center stage as he claimed the first win of the year. Dwight Pollard was finding the course to be a handful, but nothing he couldn't handle, and finished second with Michael Swift rounding out the podium in third. 

The ultra competitive WXC class would see ten-time champion, Traci Pickens, put her Yamaha out front and cruise to the class win. Taking second was Katelyn Osburn followed by Alicia McCormick in third.

Youth racing continues to become more and more competitive and the opening round would see some great racing throughout the ranks. Bryce Husband would be the first rider to claim a win in the 2018 season with Keaton Henderson claiming second and Paige Berryman taking third.