As the season winds down, 19-year-old Justin Waters is still running a furious pace. With just barely a week to prep before WORCS ATV Nationals Round 7, he replaced his practice quad with a fresh 2009 Yamaha YFZ450R. Which meant some late night wrenching so his practice bike would match his race bike set-up as closely as possible. Make time to train, on the quad and off, other races on the weekends - around his studies as a full-time student at University of Nevada.

The reward on Sunday at Glen Helen Raceway? A tenth-place finish - his fourth Top Ten this season.

Waters went off the line about mid-pack, then settled in to a steady pace. He gained a spot about every two laps, climbing from 14 th to his eventual finish of 10 th. He was closing the gap on 9 th place but it wasn’t quite enough, as time ran out at the two hour mark.

The finish wasn’t without a lesson though.

“I thought I was in shape, being back in Vegas and training the last month or so, but I must not have been drinking enough water this weekend. I lost my hose during the race, so the only water I got was at my mid-race stop for fuel. I didn’t really feel it during the race – you’re running on adrenaline – but afterwards I was so sick. I don’t think it cost me on the track, but I don’t want to make that mistake again.”

And he’ll need all the serious focus and conditioning he can get. Heading into the final round at Mesquite NV in just three weeks, Waters is in an intense six-way battle for points. Currently in 10 th, he is within striking range of a finish as high as 7 th. Remarkable for a young rider in his first year as a Pro.

Top Finishers at Glen Helen:

1 # 62 Jeremie Warnia – Lake Elsinore CA
2 # 3 Beau Baron – Atascadero CA
3 # 1 Josh Frederick – Moapa NV
4 # 94 Dustin Nelson – Ramona CA
5 # 113 John Natalie – Warriors Mark PA
6 # 417 Josh Row – Lakeside CA
7 # 12 John Shafe – Marana AZ
8 # 7 Robbie Mitchell – Price UT
9 # 15 Ryan Piplic – Everett WA
10 # 95 JUSTIN WATERS – YAMAHA – LAS VEGAS NV

Xxx

Justin Waters # 95

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