AMA National Enduro: Steward Baylor takes second win of 2025 at Flying W Ranch
Redline Oil AMA National Enduro Series, presented by MSR and Beta Motorcycles landed in Missouri for the Flying W NEPG round three where Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki Racing team were victorious again with Steward Baylor taking second win of the season.
Despite the weather affecting conditions yet again the 2025 off-road season, racers have been relentless with their sights set on AMA No.1 plates as the Wiseco Flying W National hosted not only the enduro but the Wiseco Youth Challenge at the Flying W Ranch as well.
On Saturday, 65cc and 85cc riders had the opportunity to compete in the fourth of the six-round series. Thunderstorms rocked the area in the morning, delaying the Wiseco Youth Challenge for a few hours, but then riders were off to tackle three tests, averaging approximately six miles each.
Class winners included Wyatt Johnson (Super Mini 15 Under), Kendall Keaton (Girls), Gavin Myers (85cc 2T/150cc 4T 15 Under), and Gary Busenbark (65cc 2T/100cc 4T 7-11). The 50cc riders also had the opportunity to showcase their skills, completing a single-lap one-mile course. Michael Meneley captured the 50cc 7-8 class win, while Nathan Zhang secured the 50cc 6U trophy.
Sunday Race Day
Enduro riders kickstarted Sunday with a 5.5-mile test, then a 7.5-mile section after, navigating lots of small, porous rocks on the trail in the rolling hills of Missouri. Unfortunately, Test 3 had to be thrown out post-race due to a technical error. Riders navigated 6.6- and 6.5-mile sections, followed by a 6-mile test to end the day.
After winning the Wiseco Flying W National in 2024, Rocky Mountain Red Bear Racing Kawasaki Team Green’s Steward Baylor Jr. backed it up this year. He placed second in the NE Pro1 class through the opening test and pushed his pace to take the win in Test 2. Third-test scores were eventually thrown out, but Baylor Jr. went 2-2-4 aboard his KX450X in the final three sections, ultimately capturing his second win of the year.
“Everybody was just kind of racing blind today, which honestly, it's kind of fun.” said Baylor Jr. “It throws the whole other aspect in a national enduro, which is already a blind race. When I grew up racing enduros, you didn't know the times.
“I can remember trying to see if anybody got a glimpse at [Mike] Lafferty’s scorecard and trying to base it off that. That was part of it. If you came in at the end of a section, every team was at a different corner of the parking lot and there was always a towel draped across that scorecard.
“Riding these blind enduros is literally what I grew up doing, so you just nail your marks. As a rider, I think it helps me take a little bit of pressure off by not knowing what the times are.”
Returning to the podium for the third time this season, Red Bear Racing Kawasaki teammate Josh Toth put in a valiant effort in Missouri, recording results of 1-2-1-4-2 across the five scored tests to earn second overall. The reigning champion is still in the fight to defend his title, with five rounds remaining.
“Obviously, I was coming here for the win and hoping to challenge Stu [Baylor Jr.],” said Toth. “I gave it my best shot, just a few too many mistakes. Landed on the ground a couple times, and he just smoked me. I gave it my best effort, and everybody was ripping today… That last test I sent it, and we were all within just a few seconds. Props to everyone, and it was fun.”
FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Ben Kelley has shown that his 2024 injury is not holding him back this year. After a slower start to the day, with fifth overall in Test 1, he went 3-3 in Tests 2 and 4. Kelley then turned up the heat for the final two sections, earning those test wins aboard his KTM 350 XC-F to notch third overall for the day.
“I felt good all day honestly,” said Ben Kelley. “I didn’t look at times until going into the last test, and I had one second over Grant [Baylor]. I mean, that's a little too close for comfort. But I did really good that second to last test and got the win, so I had the momentum on my side. I rode really good that last test. I was sliding around a bit, but it worked out. I told Stu [Baylor Jr.] I had to spoil the Kawi sweep this time.”
Pro2 Podium
Hall Cycle’s Jhak Walker made his way to the NE Pro2 podium for the second time this season. The Beta rider from Illinois went undefeated in the NE Pro2 class throughout the five scored tests to secure the class victory at the Wiseco Flying W National.
Chase Landers, backed by Landers KTM Amateur Racing, claimed his third podium finish of the year. Although he had a few crashes throughout the day, his fourth-place result in Test 1, followed by three second-place finishes and one third-place result, allowed him to earn second in class and collect more valuable points for the season.
After capturing the class win at the prior round, Red Bear Racing Kawasaki Team Green’s Nicholas Defeo landed himself third at the Wiseco Flying W National. He went 3-4 through the first two tests of the day. Defeo picked up a third-place result in Test 4 and rounded out the day with a second and third.
Women’s Elite Podium
Marking her second Women’s Elite win of the season, Rachel Gutish showcased a dominant performance on her Rieju, collecting all the test wins of the day.
Bouncing between second and third in class throughout the day, Enduro Engineering’s Shelby Turner secured the runner-up position aboard her GasGas.
Leading the class entering this round, Red Bear Racing Kawasaki’s Rachael Archer alternated between second- and third-place test results in Missouri. She said that she overshot several turns, resulting in a lot of time lost.
Rider podium interviews
Top Amateurs
Missouri-native James Jenkins broke into the top 10 overall, putting his Kawasaki at the top of the 250A podium and rounding out the top 10 alongside NE Pro1 and NE Pro2 riders. He collected all test wins in the 250A class.
In the AA class, Lane Whitmer has been on a roll this year aboard his GasGas. He swept all tests and earned his third class-win of the season. Additionally, he’s finished in the top 20 overall at every round.
Overall Results – 2025 Wiseco Flying W National (OA top 15):
2025 Series Overall Standings after rnd 3
1. Steward Baylor Jr. (KAW) - NE Pro1
2. Josh Toth (KAW) - NE Pro1
3. Ben Kelley (KTM) - NE Pro1
4. Ricky Russell (TRI) - NE Pro1
5. Grant Baylor (KAW) - NE Pro1
6. Jhak Walker (BET) - NE Pro2
7. Chase Landers (KTM) - NE Pro2
8. Nicholas Defeo (KAW) - NE Pro2
9. Ryder Lafferty (HON) - NE Pro1
10. Angus Riordan (KTM) - NE Pro2
More information: www.nationalenduro.com
