Kailub Russell thrives in the sloppy conditions to win the Inyan Kara National Enduro.
It only makes sense that when reigning AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Champion Kailub Russell announced that he was going to begin contesting the Kenda AMA National Enduro Series the potential to add even more AMA National event wins was in the cards.
After all, Russell is already a decorated ISDE veteran, and he has been almost unstoppable in GNCC competition again this year. That said, victory in Sunday’s Inyan Kara National Enduro was no real surprise.
Round six of the series was held in Upton, Wyoming, and the FMF/KTM-backed Russell thrived in the tough conditions to finish first, ahead of his factory KTM teammate Russell Bobbitt, by 1 minute and 49 seconds. Russell had no issues with the muddy course conditions brough on by heavy rain. He was able to drive forward through the sloppy muck to best over 430 riders.
Russell set the tone in the first special test, posting a time that was 1 minute and 35 seconds faster than the second-fasted rider in the test, Ian Blythe. Bobbitt answered Russell with a win in test two, regaining 27 seconds in the process, but Russell came right back test three to post another fast time. Bobbitt won the final test, but Russell was more than consistent enough to easily land his second Kenda AMA National Enduro Series overall win of 2015.
“Two in a row feels pretty good after three straight runner-up finishes,” Russell said. “I just need to keep building on this momentum because I know the rounds coming up are pretty tight, and that’s kind of my weakness.”
Bobbitt topped Blythe by 22 seconds for second overall but suffered an injury in the process as he crashed in the final test and popped his shoulder out of socket. Bobbitt simply popped it back in and finished the event. Tough kid.
Beta USA’s Cory Buttrick claimed fourth, his best finish of the year. Am Pro Yamaha’s Grant Baylor finished fifth, just five seconds off Buttrick’s pace. Reigning Kenda AMA National Enduro Series Champion Andrew DeLong was riding the event with an injured wrist, but he still managed to be consistent enough for sixth place. cautious but steady ride in the mud on his Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing FC 350.
Steward Baylor, the 2012 series champion, overcame a rough performance in the first test to finish seventh ahead of Beta USA’s Jesse Groemm. Craig DeLong, Andrew’s younger brother, finished ninth, and Motosport.com/Am Pro Yamaha’s Brad Bakken finished 10th.
Drew Higgins won the Rekluse AA-Expert division over fellow KTM riders Evan Smith and Kyle McDonal. Higgins finished 11th overall.
Round seven of the 10-round Kenda AMA National Enduro Series resumes with the Rattlesnake National Enduro in Cross Fork, Pennsylvania. For more, July 26.
2015 Kenda AMA National Enduro Series
Inyan Kara National Enduro
Upton, Wyoming
Results: June 14, 2015 (Round 6 of 10)
Overall
1. Kailub Russell-KTM
2. Russell Bobbitt-KTM
3. Ian Blythe-KTM
4. Cory Buttrick-Bet
5. Grant Baylor-Yam
6. Andrew DeLong-Hus
7. Steward Baylor-KTM
8. Jesse Groemm-Bet
9. Craig DeLong-Hus
10. Brad Bakken-Yam
2015 Kenda AMA National Enduro Series Point Standings (After 6 of 10 rounds)
1. Kailub Russell-135/2 wins
2. Russell Bobbitt-107/1 win
3. Steward Baylor Jr.-96/1 win
4. Grant Baylor-92
5. Andrew DeLong-86/1 win
6. Brad Bakken-69
7. Cory Buttrick-63
8. Craig DeLong-53
9. Ryder Lafferty-51
10. Trevor Bollinger-47
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