National Enduro: Steward Baylor Carries Lead Into This Weekend’s Sandlapper
Shan Moore | February 25, 2015
Steward Baylor will be looking to add to his point lead this weekend in the 2015 Kenda AMA National Enduro Series as the championship schedule makes a stop this Sunday in Pelion, South Carolina for the Sandlapper National Enduro, round two of the 10-round off-road series.
Baylor now holds a five-point lead in the series standings, and will once again have the benefit of competing in a hometown race in South Carolina. In addition, since he won the previous round in Sumter, the MotoTech KTM rider will be starting from row 21.
Kailub Russell will be looking to improve on the runner-up finish he claimed in Sumter, where the FMF/KTM rider barely missed out on the victory after topping two of the six tests. MotoSport.com Am Pro Yamaha’s Brad Bakken, who was third in Sumter, will also be looking to unseat Baylor on his Yamaha YZ250FX.
Defending series champ Andrew DeLong will be looking to make amends for his eight-place finish at the series opener. The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing-backed Pennsylvania rider was running as high as second in Sumter, but struggled in the final two tests and dropped out of contention for the win. Meanwhile, FMF/KTM’s Russell Bobbitt was steady and consistent en route to fourth at the opener in his first national appearance back with KTM after stints with Husaberg and Husqvarna. The four-time champ is a previous winner at the Sandlapper Enduro and is certain to be in the hunt for a win next Sunday.
In the Beta USA camp, Jesse Groemm, last year’s number two rider, will be ready to go this weekend after dropping out of the Sumter race with a mild concussion. Meanwhile, Greomm’s teammate, Cory Buttrick, will be attempting to improve on his fifth-place finish at round one.
No less then 720 riders pre-entered the Sandlapper race, as the series enjoys record-breaking popularity in 2015. An eye-popping 820 riders competed in the Sumter race, which was a series record. No doubt, there will be plenty of exciting action this weekend.
For more info on the 2015 AMA National Enduro Series check out www.nationalenduro.com.
Shan Moore | Contributing Editor
Moore covers all facets of off-road racing for Cycle News – from AMA Supercross and Motocross to GNCC and National Hare Scrambles events.
