N-Fab/TiLUBE/Yamaha SX Round 9 Race Report

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (March 5, 2013) – The Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series reached the halfway point this past Saturday in St. Louis in front of a near capacity crowd inside the Edward Jones Dome. Despite the freezing temperatures outside, the racing action inside the dome kept things hot and fans on the edge of their seats!

The N-Fab/TiLUBE/Yamaha team featured a new member in St. Louis with the addition of Bob Kiniry. Kiniry would race alongside teammates Chris Blose and Phil Nicoletti, and the trio got things started right as they all easily qualified into the evening program.

Kiniry led things off in the first heat race of the night with a mid-pack start. A few quick passes later and he had moved into qualifying position – a place he would maintain until the checkered flag. Blose and Nicoletti both started inside the top 10 in heat race two and had their sites set on transferring directly to the main event. While Nicoletti would do just that, earning his first main event appearance of the season, Blose would make a final lap miscue resulting in a trip to the LCQ. 

Knowing a good start is key to transferring out of the ultra-competitive LCQ, Blose got on the gas hard out of the gate and rounded the first turn in the lead. He would drop down into second position later in the lap but was focused on maintaining the final qualifying position. With a handful of laps remaining, Blose was on the receiving end of an aggressive block pass that would ultimately leave him outside of qualifying position.  

“I was riding well today,” said Blose. “In the heat race I should have qualified directly to the main but a small break in concentration ended with a crash. The LCQ is always crazy and I thought I was safe, but out of nowhere I got slammed. It’s frustrating but it’s part of racing and I know I shouldn’t have even been in the LCQ to begin with.”

The start of the main event saw Kiniry and Nicoletti jostling for position before finally settling into fifth and 14^th, respectively. But before the pack could settle into a groove, an unfortunate crash by another rider resulted in a single file restart after just three laps. After the restart, Nicoletti was stringing together some solid laps but would go down hard after battling for position with another rider. He would walk off but would be unable to continue the race. Kiniry would suffer similar misfortune after a lap rider nearly collided with him over a triple, sending him to the ground. Fortunately, Kiniry would be able to finish the race but not with the result he was expecting. He would be credited with 17^th followed by Nicoletti in 19^th.

“It was great to finally get in the main,” said Nicoletti. “I was maybe a little over excited and might have pushed a little too hard right at the start. I had a big crash and I am glad to be okay. I’ll heal up this week and will be ready for Daytona next week.”

“This was my first race with the new team and I really wanted to put together a solid ride for them,” said Kiniry. “Things were going well in the main until (Matt) Goerke wanted to race me. He was a lap down so I’m not sure what he was doing, but he ended up causing me to go down hard for no reason. I was lucky to not get hurt and I am ready to be in the top 10 at Daytona.”

The series travels to the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. for the 10^th round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series this Saturday, March 9. Be sure to stop by the N-Fab/TiLUBE/Yamaha truck to show your support and to have your picture taken with Chris Blose, Phil Nicoletti and Bob Kiniry from 12:30 – 5:30 p.m. See you there!

About N-Fab TiLUBE Yamaha Racing:

N-FAB is the industry leader in making quality Nerf-Bars, Pre-Runners and other Off-Road accessories. We design and manufacture the strongest, most durable and best looking Nerf-Bars available in the industry today. TiLUBE products offer engine protection in extreme conditions, outperform the manufactures requirements, are dyno tested to offer engine protection in extreme conditions and outperform the manufactures requirements.

N-Fab TiLUBE Yamaha is proudly supported by:

N-FAB, TiLUBE, Yamaha, St. Lawrence Radiology, Perfex, Wiseco, Motion Pro, Akrapovic, Ride Engineering, Podium Ink, K&N Filters, Cycra, Mafia M/C, Fusion Graphics, Dunlop, Daniel Crower Racing, Enzo Racing, Tamer Motocross, ARC Levers, SDG USA, 77Five, Excel A60, Crank Works, Sunstar Sprockets & Chains, Metaltek, ODI Grips, Brembo, Dubya, Bermcannon,