| August 15, 2022
The 26th annual Method Race Wheels “Casey Folks” Vegas-To-Reno is done and dusted with Factory Husqvarna ace Skyler Howes claiming another solo victory, the second of his career.
Update September 2, 2022: Watch coverage of the BITD Vegas to Reno race on CBS Sports Network on Sunday, September 4 at 11 a.m. EST/ 8 a.m. PDT, then again at 3:30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. the same day.
Best In The Desert’s flagship race, known as one of America’s longest and fastest single-day off-road races in the country, starts just outside of Las Vegas, Nevada, and makes a mad dash up to the finish near Reno in a 500-mile trek. Hellacious monsoons and weather patterns in the weeks and days leading up to the event saw an ever-changing racecourse and race structure, with parts of the course receiving the final markings just moments before lead bikes would pass through.
Skyler Howes ran a smart and calculated race (solo) and came away with the overall win at the BITD Vegas-To-Reno off-road race. Photos: Harlen Foley
In an effort to increase promotion and viewership to the top motorcycle riders, the BITD crew included the Open Pro class in Thursday’s Time Trials to determine a start order for Friday’s main race. The three-mile loop situated at Buffalo Bill’s Hotel and Casino saw 3Bros. Hatch Husqvarna’s Dalton Shirey lead the way with the top time, followed closely by defending champions Hayden Hintz/Trevor Hunter and Jeremy Newton/Axel Pearson.
As the light turned green at 5:45 am Friday morning, Dalton Shirey made first dust and used it to his advantage, opening up a sizable gap by the first pit over the rest of the competition. At the conclusion of the first 110 miles, where all teams would load up and “transfer” to a restart due to unpassable course, Dalton held a near five-minute gap over a tightly contested top six.
Dalton Shirey was the early leader but slowed with brake issues. He would hold on for second.
Following the restart, the race for the lead sizzled down to mere seconds on adjusted time as Shirey’s FX450 suffered from rear brake issues 150 miles in. For the next 70 miles, an all-out dog fight ensued as six teams were all within striking distance for the win on corrected time. The N1 team of Hintz/Hunter were the first to crack, as bike issues and a hard crash dropped them out of contention at the halfway point.
Rookies David Broderick and Luke Reynolds caught fire at the halfway point and had passed into second place physically, inching ahead of the factory teams and riders in the process. A late-race crash, however, pulled them out of the running as they neared the finish line in Dayton.
Beta went with a two-rider team. Joe Wasson and Zane Roberts finished a little more than a minute behind Shirey in third.
In the final 200 miles, the veterans rose to the top and started to take control of the top of the leaderboard. The factory Beta outfit tightened the gap on Shirey as they kept their riders fresh, swapping riders as opposed to Shirey’s solo effort.
Meanwhile, Husqvarna rally racer Skyler Howes put in 400 smooth and consistent miles, slowly reeling in time over his competitors before a late-race charge solidified his victory in a time of 6:33:30 over Shirey’s 6:37:34. The Beta duo of Joe Wasson and Zane Roberts finished on the heels of Shirey in a time of 6:38:42.
Kimberly Loppnow and Krista Conway topped the Women’s Expert class.
Other notable finishers include top Ironman Jim Herrero (7:27:01 finishing time), the first Expert team of Gregory Pheasant (7:35:30), and the top Women duo of Kimberly Loppnow and Krista Conway (7:56:50).
The effects of the rain and course damage were felt by all racers as they felt it critical to maintain focus more than ever and the added fatigue brought on by the rugged terrain. Every racer suffered from crashes or close calls throughout the day, only adding to the elements of an already grueling day traversing the Nevada desert.
Trevor Hunter
Overall Results
- Skyler Howes (Hus)
- Dalton Shirey (Hus)
- Joe Wasson/Zane Roberts (Bet)
- Jeremy Newton/Axel Pearson (KTM)
- Hayden Hintz/Trevor Hunter (KTM)
- Russell Tonjum (Hon)
- Jim Herrero (Yam)
- Steve Cano/Shane Esposito/Steve Garnett/Mike Baxter (Hon)
- Frank Goodson (Hus)
- Gregory Pheasant/Michael Stephens/Geoffrey Buscho (Hon)
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