The NBL’s return to Columbus, while two months later than most people expected, was well worth the wait for many of the party faithful. As you may remember, the Christmas Classic had been here for more than a decade before being moved to Virginia for the 2008 installment. So, a new year, a new venue, and for some, the first chance to rock some of that new holiday hardware on a national track.

Since this was not an Elite-series race, the Elite Open of the Big A would have to provide the heat at the top of the order. And they did not disappoint, with 23 riders on Saturday and 17 on Sunday, there were Bawls to the walls battles throughout the weekend. In both mains, wrecks would help decide the fate of the finishes.

On Saturday, the main was shaping up to be a “clash of the titans,” with Jeff Upshaw and Jason Jewell (both going into the main with perfects in the motos), and an ever-fast Weston Pope dusting off after a third round dust-up and a successful semi. Leroy Moses was also looking speed-dial fast on Saturday, but tangled with a couple blokes in the second straight of the semis, and had to sit the sidelines. When the gate dropped on their main, four riders hit turn one at mach5 (Upshaw and Pope being Siamese twins to the bitter end, with Scott McMahon and Pat Romero right there for all the first turn fun). Jewell made like Cole Trickle and powered through the pileup, taking home the skrilla at the stripe.

On Sunday the herd was thinned a bit, but the action was still slammin. Jewell was out of the main due to a digger in the second round (from which he did not come back to race round three), and Upshizzle was gated up for the main with a perfect in the motos. Weston was also wicked fast on Sunday, maybe even a bit TOO fast for this track’s own good. This time, the pair survived the first turn, though, as the photo above proves, they were still spot-welded together going in. Through the second straight and into turn two, Jeff pulled a bit of a lead, and Pope railed the high side. Not sure if he hit some soft stuff near the top, a rut, or just washed out at-speed, but the net result was Weston down in turn two and Jeff cake-walking to the win.

Photo Galleries

Friday Pre-Race	Saturday National	Sunday National

We’re talking about all classes and all aspects of the weekend over on Vintage, so come on over.