The Nelson Report
Round 1 - 3/10/11
Glen Helen Raceway
Devore, CA

Saturday, March 10th - Round 1, Moto 1: David Haagsma pulled the holeshot, closely followed by Beau Baron and Joe Byrd. I started 5th but made my way into 4th in the second turn. As we powered down the first hill I grabbed fifth gear and held it on a little longer than Byrd to take 3rd. For the first half of the race Haagsma and Baron were riding such a good pace that I had trouble closing the gap, but soon after the halfway mark I made it to Baron’s grab bar. I had the pass made on the outside of a technical right hander over a bump but gave the spot right back when I flat-landed the next jump. It took me another two laps to catch back up and make the pass stick as I jumped to the inside of Baron down the finish line straight and held the line through the next corner. I did my best to chase down Haagsma in the final two laps but couldn’t get there. At the checkers it was Haagsma, me, Baron, Byrd and Row.

Round 1, Moto 2: Baron grabbed the second moto holeshot and the GYTR/Yamalube $250; behind Baron was Haagsma and Byrd. I made an aggressive move to take 3rd from Byrd in the second turn and set out after the leaders. Halfway thru the second lap I got to the inside of Haagsma on an uphill rhythm section and controlled the inside of the following turn to take second. Two laps later the same move worked on Baron to take the lead. Once out front I tried to ride mistake free laps but there was still a battle going on behind me as Byrd mounted a charge and passed both Haagsma and Baron. As we crossed the finish the pressure was still there; I took the win followed by Byrd, Baron, Haagsma and Row, and earned the overall on the day.