The AM Race at the Penton was spared the mud and rain that came later in the day, but they had another challenge which was the heat and humidity. Also, the field sections of the course were fairly dry and dust was going to become a slight problem during the race, but it wasn't anything like the dust of the past.
This year the start was held in the same field as last year, but the riders were going up the hill and around and huge tree at the end of the straight away.
Riders quickly lined their quads up along the edge of the starting area to try to get a good starting position.