“ Overall , the day was good and I stayed off the ground ,” said Kelley . “ I was a little stiff in the first test , but I felt like I loosened up and rode really good the next two . I was right there battling with Josh for the lead . I was going into the last test in second , but Stew crushed that one and ended up sneaking by me , so I ’ m a little bummed about that . Third overall on the day is okay . I think it was my best one so far this year , so I guess I ’ m happy with it .”
After kicking off the year with a podium ( third place at Sumter ), Craig DeLong got back on track with a fourth overall in Pennsylvania . The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider started fast and maintained a strong pace all day .
“ I had a good first test , a couple seconds out of the lead , which always sets you up for a good day ,” said DeLong . “ I just tried to carry that momentum through the whole day . After the third test I was in fourth , but we were all within less than 10 seconds of each other . So , to be halfway through the day and to be that close , I was excited for sure . I tried to maintain it all day , but those guys clicked up another gear the last three tests and kind of left me in the
VOL . 6 ISSUE 9 - SEPTEMBER 2021 // PAGE 133