| 8th
- #7 Donald Ockerman Yamaha YFZ450 ATV -
52 Pts. |
Don Ockerman slips in right behind Bithell in
the points hunt, and has developed an uncanny
ability to get his Yamaha to the first turn in
a hurry! Ockerman would finish inside the top
10 at the first two rounds claiming 9th and 10th
respectively. Don would fair slightly better at
round 3 where he took a 6th and backed that up
with a 7th place at round 4. It isn’t apparent
that he is suffering from anything other then
typical "that’s racing" issues.
He most definitely has the speed to get on the
box, it might just take some luck and a few lappers
to move over late in the race. The points spread
from the 10th spot to 3rd is fairly close. Some
misfortune here, some successes there, could easily
find a big mix up in the coming rounds.
| 9th
- #12 Johnny Gallagher Yamaha YFZ450 ATV
- 52 Pts. |
Holding 9th in points is Johnny Gallagher who
like Pickens, isn’t satisfied with anything
but a podium finish. While that’s a great
goal, the pressure several of these racers are
placing on themselves is immense. The talent is
so close that outside the top 3, it can be anyone’s
game. Gallagher has long been known a mud specialist
but has developed into a formidable contender
no matter the conditions. Gallagher’s set
up is fairly common place when the new Yamaha
is concerned, and Johnny isn’t afraid to
make changes or offer feedback that might give
him any advantage he can get.
With solid sponsors and loads of experience,
look for Gallagher to move up a spot or two
as we head into rougher and tighter racing conditions.
| 10th
- #10 Jarrod McClure Polaris Outlaw 450
ATV - 47 Pts. |
Closing out the top 10 in XC1 points is Jarrod
McClure. The close to the 2009 season had McClure
looking at some big changes on a new machine.
When the opening round closed in, the ink was
dry on a deal that would find Jarrod aboard a
Yokley racing’s backed Polaris. Round 1
McClure would run a solid race ending the event
with the 6th spot. A very respectable finish out
of the box had McClure’s team looking like
they may have made the right decisions and changes
for 2010.
The following two rounds McClure would fight
harsh conditions and was still looking for a
good set up that he could feel comfortable with.
Prior to round four, Jarrod explained that he
was pretty confident and they had finally switched
to a slightly narrower set of a-arms and that
he was ready to turn it on! Bad luck would strike
as a stick ruptured a radiator hose causing
him to pit for repairs. A 13th place finish
would not be what he had in mind, but is confident
he can get up front and find his place on the
podium.
There is still alot of racing to go as we head
towards the summer break. The next round will
be held at Loretta Lynn's Ranch and should provide
us another exciting race. Two battles are emerging
in the points as Taylor Kiser and Chris Borich
sort things out and behind them an entire pack
of very competitive and equally matched racers
aim to do battle. As the pressure to succeed
mounts, the intensity will increase and we will
be there to catch it all for you!
