Mixed fortunes for Husqvarna’s Mike Brown at opening EnduroCross

Husqvarna’s Mike Brown got off to a flying start in the opening round of the AMA EnduroCross Championship in Las Vegas, topping the qualifying on his FE 350. But for Brown, one of the dominant racers in the increasingly popular series, the rest of his out did not go well after suffering a hand injury during his heat race. “Brownie” did line up for the main event, but had to retire after just a few laps.

He got out to an aggressive start in his heat race, but smashed his left little finger on a barrel in the first turn. The impact resulted in multiple lacerations to his finger, but Brown soldiered on through the heat race and qualified for the main. The team attempted to bandage his wounded finger for the main event, where Brown once again got out to a strong start. The Factory Husqvarna rider grabbed the holeshot and attempted to run away with the lead, but during the bar banging in the first lap, the bandage came dislodged.

"For a guy like Brownie to pull off, you know it was pretty bad," explained Husqvarna Race Team Manager Andy Jefferson. "It was an unfortunate way to start out the season, but we were proud to still have Jamie Lanza in the main event on a Husqvarna." Husky Power parts and accessories manager by day, Jamie opted to contest the Las Vegas EnduroCross opener aboard a Husqvarna TE 300, and was thrilled to get into the main event, where he finished 11th overall.