Kailub Russell earns a bid win at the Jack Pine Enduro in Michigan.
FMF/KTM’s Kailub Russell came from behind to score a hard-earned win at round eight of the Kenda AMA National Enduro Series, the 90th running of the Jack Pine Enduro Cowbell Classic powered by Wiseco, in Moorestown, Michigan, Sunday.
At the end of the seven tests, Russell was simply the most consistent rider. He win special tests two, four and seven, and around the halfway point of the race, he moved into the lead and never lost it after that.
However, he didn’t get the best of starts, finishing only fifth fastest in special test one. He edged Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Andrew DeLong by 4 seconds in the second special test, alhough he still trailed Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider Josh Strang in the overall standings. Russell went on to win two more tests and make up almost a minute on Strang in the final two tests, which were run in a torrential downpour, to claim a third Kenda AMA National win in 2015.
“I really enjoyed this race,” Russell said. “The track was really sandy in sections and pretty fun. It did start raining pretty hard for the last two tests which mixed things up. I was happy to get a win in that last section as it was pretty tight throughout there. My dad (Jeff Russell, the 1991 AMA National Enduro Champion) rarely tells me to go out and win a race, but he told me if I was ever going to win a race that the Jack Pine was the one to win, so I’m sure he’ll be happy about this win.”
Strang’s runner-up finish was his best in the series so far. FMF/KTM’s Russell Bobbitt was in the running for the overall win until the final test where he struggled and ended the day in third. MotoTech KTM’s Steward Baylor rebounded to finish fourth after getting a very bad start to his day by finishing 12th in the first test. Steward’s younger brother, Grant Baylor, finished fifth aboard his AmPro Yamaha.
Russell is in good shape to possibly join his father as an AMA National Enduro Champion, as he now holds a 34-point lead over Bobbitt in the series standings. Steward Baylor is two points behind Bobbitt, in third.
The Kenda AMA National Enduro Series returns to action on September 27th in Lynnville, Indiana, for the Black Coal National Enduro. F
2015 Kenda AMA National Enduro Series
Jack Pine Enduro Cowbell Classic
Moorestown, Michigan
Results: August 23, 2015 (Round 8 of 10)
Overall
1. Kailub Russell-KTM
2. Josh Strang-Hus
3. Russell Bobbitt-KTM
4. Steward Baylor-KTM
5. Grant Baylor-Yam
6. Nick Fahringer-KTM
7. Andrew DeLong-Hus
8. Jesse Groemm-Bet
9. Brad Bakken-Yam
10. Cory Buttrick-Bet
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