ST CLAIRSVILLE GNCC.
7th Sep 2010
Thomas makes it 3 in a row,and 2nd on the day.
Monster Energy/Andrews/Yamaha`s Jason Thomas made it
three straight podium finishes on the 13-round 2008 Can-Am Grand
Nationals Cross Country Series tour, this past weekend placing 2nd
overall in the XC2 class on a perfect October day spent racing at the
series` penultimate round in St. Clairsville, Ohio.
Thomas led a contingent of Monster Energy/Andrews/Yamaha racers out of the gate to open the race and actually led the race himself early. Flanked by teammates Dave Snyder and Dustin Gibson, 5th and 6th, respectively, at the start, Thomas was in what team owner Fred Andrews called a `heated` battle for the lead with Scott Watkins.
At the first fuel stop Gibson had fallen back a bit, thanks in part to a 101-degree temperature he was suffering due to illness, along with getting stuck in a mud hole. Snyder then pulled into the pits with brake problems, pretty much putting an end to his podium chances as well.
But Thomas was still dogging the race leader Watkins, and would take the lead in spectacular fashion soon after the two lap sign came out when he passed Watkins at the mud hole. Leading coming through the pits, Thomas had Watkins right on his tail in one of the closer finishes of the year for the Monster Energy-backed racers. Unfortunately for Thomas, a mistake would cost him the win, but his effort was nothing short of excellent on the day.
`I was close and stalled it with a few turns to go,` said the dejected Thomas, who had to overcome some arm pump to fight his way to the lead. `That`s racing.`