Round 6 of the championship was a reversal of fortune for the team’s 250SX East riders. Nichols topped both qualifying sessions to be the fastest qualifier for the second time this week, while his teammate Craig rebounded to qualify fifth after having to sit out of the first session with a technical issue. Lining up at the gate for the same heat race, it was another 1-2 finish for the team, with the Oklahoman coming out on top and crossing the line by a healthy margin.
In the Main Event, Nichols looked to be on course for another victory. He launched into the lead at the start but unfortunately went down before the tabletop and rejoined at the back of the field. Meanwhile, Craig quickly claimed the lead and set a blistering pace to cross the line 7.5 seconds ahead of the competition and close the points gap on his teammate to six with two rounds remaining.
Although he had his work cut out for him, Nichols put his head down and worked his way through the pack to fifth. Before the halfway mark, he was locked in a battle for fourth. With a few minutes remaining, it became a three-way battle for the final podium spot. Nichols made the pass for fourth with three laps to go and then took third the following lap and held onto it to the finish line.
This season, the Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing 250SX East team has earned five double podiums in six races. The team looks to keep their streak rolling as they head south to Orlando, Florida, on Saturday, February 13, for one more round before the West Coast takes over.
