51FIFTY Energy Drink Yamaha - Arlington Race Report

51FIFTY Energy Drink Yamaha

Arlington Race Report

9th and 11th for Hayden and McConahy

Livingston, CA. (February 13, 2017)- The 51FIFTY Energy Drink Yamaha Team had two YZ250F's back on the track as Hayden Mellross returned from injury to join Noah McConahy (filling in for Tyler Bowers) for the last round of the 250 West Coast SX before the long break, at the incredible AT&T Stadium in Arlington Supercross.

Tyler Bowers, sidelined with a broken femur continues to support the team attending Dealer and Pit autograph signings and, importantly, coaching the other 51FIFTY racers. "I'd rather be racing but being sidelined is helping me in a way where I can watch lines develop and study other riders," explains Bowers. "I watch practice and qualifiers and feel by communicating improvement points to the guys it reinforces that information and am becoming more knowledgeable myself."

With "Coach Bowers" on their side, Mellross and McConahy took to the track for their qualifying sessions. The 51FIFTY boys clocked in 9th and 12th respectively on the Texas terrain. 

McConahy on the #59 Yamaha lined up for Heat #1, and rocketed out of the gate with the leaders. He battled for position with previous race winners, maintaining 3rd for most of the race eventually crossing the finish line in 4th place, giving him a coveted gate pick for the main event. In only his 2nd race on the Yamaha, the 4th in the Heat was a career best.

Heat #2 saw the Australian, Mellross back in action after a few weeks off due to a hand injury. On the track he looked as if he hadn't taken any time off the bike passing through the pack after a lackluster start. The #64 diced through the field locking down a transfer position in 8th position. 

When the gates dropped for the 250 main event, both 51FIFTY Yamaha riders raced toward the first turn. While Mellross made it through clean, McConahy got pinched and crashed after clipping a tuff block with his front wheel. Hayden would charge his way through the pack and settle into a solid 9th place position for the majority of the race, while teammate Noah was forced to work his way up from dead last. McConahy would leave it all out on the track even laying it down in the last turn in a last stitch effort for a top 10 finish. The 51FIFTY Yamaha racers crossed the line with Mellross in 9th, and McConahy in 11th. 

"It's great to be back at the races and pick up where I left off," commented Mellross after the race. "I've been off the bike for a few weeks but felt strong most of the night. The track was challenging but our bike was on point and felt overall it was a decent result.  I was a bit fatigued toward the end of the race, from not being able to train, but overall it was a solid ride and another Top 10." 

"My confidence continues to grow and the whole team has really helped me get comfortable these last two weeks," mentioned McConahy. "I made it difficult on myself in the Main, hit the deck a few times, was in 20th at one point, but just focused on passing the rider in front of me. I put down some of my fastest times of the night and then did try one last aggressive pass on Chiz to try and get inside the Top 10."

The West Coast Supercross season will take a break as the season moves to the East Coast region. Follow the 51FIFTY Energy Drink Yamaha Team on social media to stay in touch with the latest news and team photos.

51FIFTY Energy Drink Yamaha is aided by support of our great sponsors including Yamaha, Allied Packaging, Carlos Vieira Racing, bLU cRU, Bolt Hardware, Costa Rica Unlimited, Cometic Gaskets, Company West, Cycra, Crank Works, DeCal Works, Dunlop, DT1, Evans Cooling, Fox, FMF, Galfer, Hinson Clutch Components, Hot Cams, IMS Products, Matrix, Mechanix Wear, ODI, Pivot Works, Powerlift, Push Marketing Agency, Race for Autism, RK Excel, SDI, Sunstar, Shift, TM Designworks, Twisted Development, Works Connection, Vertex Pistons, Vortex Ignitions, VP Fuels, and Xtrig.