After clinching his best finish of the AMA National Enduro Championship season last round, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Craig DeLong was hungry for another podium result at Round 7 this weekend. After running in podium contention for half of the Loose Moose National, DeLong finished just shy of the podium, in fourth, with a fighting performance in Marquette, Michigan.
DeLong showcased his speed in the first two tests, finishing second. In Test 3, he swiftly navigated the tight and twisty trail to score third. A few mistakes in the fourth and fifth sections, left him to finish in fourth through the two tests. In the final test of the heavily-forested Upper Peninsula, he claimed fifth. Despite slipping back a bit as the nearly two-hour race progressed, DeLong has been challenging the frontrunners of NE Pro1 for the duration of the season and continues in a strong chase for the championship.
“I had a good day,” DeLong said. “I was in the mix all day. I had a few mistakes, and in a few tests I was off pace. That put me off of the box. I’m happy with my ride and with my bike. I feel like I’ve been making small improvements each race, and it’s getting me closer to the front at the end of the day.”
It’s been a year of bad luck for teammate Trevor Bollinger, as he missed two National Enduro races due to a broken hand suffered at a GNCC earlier this year. Returning to racing at the last National Enduro, Bollinger secured his best finish of the year but unfortunately, a few weeks ago, he suffered a crash during practice and is once again out of competition.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thad DuVall returned from injury at the last round and scored a top-10 result, but he sat this round out as he shifts his focus to the remainder of the GNCC season.
Round 8: Muddobbers National – October 2 – Matthews, Indiana
Loose Moose National – Results
NE Pro1 Class
1. Grant Baylor (GAS)
2. Steward Baylor Jr. (YAM)
3. Ricky Russell (SUZ)
4. Craig DeLong – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
