Pat NugentMarc Willers (777) holeshots the 2011 ABA Grands Race of Champions for the win.Coming into the 2011 'Race of Champions,' the precursor for the 33rd annual ABA Grand Nationals, the reigning ABA Champion, Sam Willoughby (Redline) was in the lead by a mere 16 points ahead of Speed's Marc Willers. So far this year, each rider had eight ABA wins up their sleeve, and a slew of podium finishes to go along with them. The 'Race of Champions' was just the place for Willoughby to either pad his lead a little bit or for Willers to jump in and gain a small advantage.
And when it came main event time, Willers had the holeshot and kept a lead ahead of Willoughby, who got lost in the traffic.
Willoughby was pushed off the podium for Friday night's race, with Connor Fields (Chase) taking second and Nic Long (Haro) sliding in for third. Now, the points spread between Willers and Willoughby is so close that it's become a heated head game for each rider in Tulsa, Okla. this weekend.
This weekend's race is set to be the largest ABA Grands and BMX race in the history of the sport, with a monstrous 603 Motos (pro and am combined). In the history of BMX racing, there's only been one other time when a race counted over 600 motos (and that was 602).
Be sure to check back tomorrow to see who will be crowned year-end champion and an exclusive BMX photo gallery.
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