Andrew DeLong joins Husqvarna legends John Penton, Bill Kain, Dick Burleson, Terry Cunningham, and Mike Melton as an AMA National Enduro Champion.
Factory Husqvarna rider Andrew DeLong only needed to finish 13th or better at the Kenda AMA National Enduro Series finale in order to clinch the 2014 AMA National Enduro Championship and confirm a significant place in Husqvarna history.
At yesterday’s Muddobbers National Enduro in Matthews, Indiana, round 10 of 10 in the series, DeLong finished third overall and became the first Husqvarna rider to win the prestigious AMA National Enduro Championship since the great Terry Cunningham accomplished the deed for the Husqvarna factory way back in 1986. Husqvarna enjoyed an extra-special day as DeLong’s teammate, Russell Bobbitt, completed his comeback from injury by claiming the overall win.
For DeLong, the season was one of high and low points, but in the end he did what he needed to do in order to bring home the title.
“I wanted to win!” an obviously excited DeLong said. “I was pretty nervous. My stomach was upset in the morning, and I couldn’t eat anything. I was pretty tough on myself in the first tests. I wasn’t riding well–just making little stupid mistakes. It wasn’t the day I wanted to have.”
Those mistakes set the tone for DeLong early, as he struggled in the first three of the event’s six special tests before regrouping and finishing strong enough in the other three to secure a podium finish, more than enough to accomplish his dream of winning the AMA National Enduro title.
Eight-time National Enduro Champion Michael Lafferty, who was riding in his final event as a full-time AMA National Enduro competitor, got off to an excellent start in the Muddobbers National by was celebrated by winning the first special test of the day and then backing it up with wins in the second and third special tests as well.
Heading into the fourth test, Lafferty had a 30-second lead over Bobbitt, but Bobbitt continued to chip away at that lead in the fourth and fifth special tests, coming out of test five with a nine-second lead over Lafferty. Bobbitt posted a faster time than Lafferty in the final special test to cement overall win.
“Mike [Lafferty] got out to a great start, but I just chipped away at his time,” Bobbitt said. “The conditions were so good–you just wanted to keep leaning the bike over. The club did a great job with lots of good, flowy single-track. I kept picking up the pace as the day went on. In the end, it was great to have Andrew win the championship, and for me to come back and get a win this year.”
Lafferty, who announced his retirement from fulltime National competition at the beginning of the season, had been hoping to go out with a win, but it wasn’t to be. Even so, he went out on a high note in Indiana, claiming both his first special test win and first podium finish of the season en route to second overall.
“I am so happy to end my career this way,” Lafferty said. “Of course, I would have liked to win the race, but I’m happy that if I had to lose it, that it was to Russ [Bobbitt]. I want to thank my team and my family for everything they have done for me in my career and their incredible support in this final race. I’ve been very fortunate to have a career last this long and it has only been possible with the help of those around me.”
DeLong’s third-place finish was “mission accomplished” for him and Husqvarna. Afterward, he admitted that he didn’t think the significance of that accomplishment had sunk-in yet.
“It’s amazing,” DeLong said. “I’ve been riding Huskys for four years, and I hope I can continue my career with them for a long time. Winning the championship is incredible. It was also good to see Russell come back and have the speed to be up front. It was awesome to see the Husqvarna brand kick butt today!”
Previous round winner Grant Baylor proved that his performance last weekend was no fluke by finishing fourth overall, ahead of N-Fab Am Pro Yamaha’s Brad Bakken.
Kenda AMA National Enduro Series
Muddobbers National Enduro
Matthews, Indiana
Results: September 14, 2014 (Round 10 of 10)
Overall
1. Russell Bobbitt-Hus
2. Mike Lafferty-KTM
3. Andrew DeLong-Hus
4. Grant Baylor-KTM
5. Brad Bakken-Yam
6. Nick Fahringer-Hus
7. Cory Buttrick-Bet
8. Paddy Holloway-KTM
9. Jesse Groemm-KTM
10. Ryder Lafferty-Hus
Kenda AMA National Enduro Series Final Points Standings (After 10 of 10 rounds)
1. Andrew DeLong-212/2 wins
2. Jesse Groemm-181/1 win
3. Grant Baylor-180/1 win
4. Brad Bakken-172/1 win
5. Nick Fahringer-167
6. Michael Lafferty-147
7. Steward Baylor-127
8. Charlie Mullins-120/4 wins
9. Ryder Lafferty-103
10. Cory Buttrick-92
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