2017 WORCS Racing Round #2 - Buffalo Bill's January 29, 2017 Primm, Nevada

STI’s Mike Sloan passed Mitchell on the final lap to finish second. Sloan finished third in the season opener and ran consistently to net the runner-up slot. Sloan also thanked Collins Webster for push starting his ATV when his battery failed. Webster, after running fourth for most of the race despite suffering from the flu, lost his chain early in the race, ending his race.

Duncan Racing's Mike Sloan was in a heated battle with Baron & Mitchell for several laps before he stalled it, but with the help of Collins Webster, he got it started to finish the race in 2nd place

“It sucks what happened to Robbie, but that’s racing,” said Sloan. “We just keep chipping away and we’re still right there in the fight. My fitness is definitely getting better. Last year was a good learning year so this year we should be able to win. The Yamaha is a new quad. I don’t get to ride it much, and we’re working hard to get it better. I’m just thankful to be racing right now.”

STI’s Tyler Benally’s victory in the Pro-Am class, as well as Mitchell’s penalty, moved Benally to third overall. WORCS scores on an overall finish, and this marked the first time in series history that a Pro-Am racer scored an overall podium. Benally definitely had to work for it. On the final lap, the head pipe on his Honda fell off and he still managed to pass Logan Huff to take the final spot on the podium just a few turns before the finish.

Tyler Benally & Logan Huff battled back & forth the entire race with Benally regaining the lead just before the checkered flag for the class win & 3rd overall

“I was surprised,” said a jubilant Benally, who pocketed an additional $400 for the overall podium. “I was stoked to get first place in class and then they told me I finished third overall. I’m so happy with the way it turned out today. It was a battle at the end. Even with all of the noise, I just put my head down and just went with it. I was pressuring Logan the whole time. I just took the wide line and carried my speed. My engine was bogging with the missing head pipe, so I had to just carry my speed further into the turn.”

Rookie Pro ATV racer Jerry Maldonado finished third in the Pro Class. The 17-year-old racer returned to WORCS racing after taking a break after winning two Youth championships.

Triumph Motorsport's Jerry Maldonado finished 3rd in the Pro class

“This just show how important that first lap is,” said Maldonado. “You have to hold it wide until you get comfortable with the track. I forgot how rough these tracks can get. This is my last year before I go to college, so I’m going to go for it.”

Robbie Mitchell rightfully dominated most of the race and looked well on his way to victory. That is, until the final lap when everything went south.

DWT's Robbie Mitchell lead the race till the final lap when he ran out of gas & was penalized for improper refueling, which dropped him back to 5th place

“I was strong all the way to the end; I just ran out of gas,” said Mitchell. “I was looking at the clock every lap, and I really thought I could make it. Right at the end, it just sputtered out. A couple of people were nice enough to give me some gas, but I got penalized for running it out there. I thought it was legal, but I guess not. I really wanted that win. Beau made the pass on me, but I started reeling him in before I ran out of gas.”