RIVERSIDE, Calif. (February 19, 2013) –This past Saturday, the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series began its eastcoast swing with the first round at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The Texas track is known for its hard and slick conditions, something Phoenix native Chris Blose is all too familiar with. This familiarity was clear as Blose earned himself a season’s-best seventh place qualifying position. He would be seeded into the second heat race of the evening alongside fellow N-Fab/TiLUBE/Yamaha teammate Phil Nicoletti.

The pack throttled down the start straight and after shuffling through the first turn, Nicoletti emerged in second place. Blose would not be so fortunate as he tangled with another rider and went down. As the laps went by, Blose made up as much ground as possible but was unable to make it back into qualifying position by the checkered flag. Nicoletti was in qualifying position and riding well up front until an unexpected, and aggressive, pass late in the race landed him on the ground and headed to the LCQ with his teammate.

Both riders lined up for the LCQ ready to do whatever it took to make the main. After the first lap,Nicoletti was running second and Blose fourth. Blose quickly moved up and was challenging his teammate by the second lap. Unable to match the pace of Blose, Nicoletti was passed by his teammate giving up the final transfer spot.  Blose would go onto the main and Nicoletti would call it a night.

“I am really glad my starts have improved,” said Nicoletti. “When my mechanic Joel told me I was second in the heat I got a little tense and lost a few spots. Things were good when I settled into eighth but out of nowhere I got slammed by another rider and went down. Things were looking good in the LCQ but I could not match the pace of Blose.”

Starting from the far outside, Blose made sure to make it through the chaotic first lap safely before starting to make his way through the pack. While trying to make a pass on the sixth lap, Blose mistimed a section and ran into the back of another rider. This forced Blose to make an unexpected pit stop to repair his bike. He would reenter the race one lap down and would go on to finish in 19^th place. Despite the unfortunate pitstop, Blose was still able to maintain a consistent pace throughout the main event and never gave up.

“I love the dirt they have here in Texas,” said Blose. “It reminds me a lot of my practice tracks back home. My speed is really back where I need it to be and I am going to work on my main event results. I know I can be in the top 10 and will get there soon.”

The series travels to Atlanta and the Georgia Dome for the eighth round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series this Saturday, Feb. 23. Be sure to stop by the N-Fab/TiLUBE/Yamaha truck to show your support and to have your picture taken with Phil Nicoletti and Chris Blose from 12:30 – 5:30 p.m. See you there!