ROUND 2: APRIL 11, 2010

Round two of the Yamaha/ITP QuadCross Championship Series was held at Arizona Cycle Park in Buckeye, Arizona. This track is known for its rough, blue grooved surface and warmer temperatures, and that's what we got. Sunday had temps in the low 90s with a slight breeze - not too bad, but with the new 20 minute plus 2 laps moto format it could be interesting.

Moto one saw Dustin Nelson out front with the holeshot and John Shafe not far behind; Justin Noss and Beau Baron were battling for third. Noss and Baron were both able to get around Shafe, while Nelson continued to add distance between him and the other racers. Meanwhile, Shafe was holding down the fourth spot with Jason Fife rounding out the top five. A little past the halfway point Noss was starting to feel the pressure, and Baron eventually slipped into the second spot. Nelson went on to win moto one with Baron second, Noss third, Shafe fourth and Fife fifth.

The start of moto two was almost a repeat of the first when Nelson pulled a huge holeshot and took home the GYTR/Yamalube $250 holeshot award. Nelson wasted no time getting a comfortable lead after Noss and Baron got into each other a couple corners into the race, costing them precious time. Jason Dunkleberger, who had some tech issues and missed moto one, was right there to take over second place, with Shafe in third and Fife in fourth. Once Baron and Noss got things going they had some serious ground to make up. It took them most of the race to catch up to the front group of riders. At the end it was Nelson on cruise control with the win, Jason Dunkleberger with second, John Shafe held onto third and Baron and Noss finished fourth and fifth respectively to round out the top five.

The top five overall for the day had Nelson in first (1-1), Baron second (2-4), Shafe third (4-3), Noss fourth (3-5) and Fife fifth (5-6).

The next round is May 9, 2010, at Rynoland in Anza, California.

Story and photos by Roy Bloodworth.

Additional race coverage available at ATVRiders.com

Justin Noss (97) battles with Beau Baron (549) in the first moto.

Nelson rails the finish line corner in moto one.

Baron (549) makes the pass on Noss (97) in the first moto.

Nelson (94) takes the moto two holeshot ahead of John Shafe (8) and Washington's Reed Petchnick (191).

John Shafe had a clean ride in the second moto to get him third overall for the day.

Nelson makes the triple-in, double-out jump combination look easy.

Noss (97) chasing Baron (549) in moto two.

Nelson collected two big checks for the day: the $250 GYTR/Yamalube moto two holeshot award as well as $1300 for winning the Pro 450 Production class.