Scott Barnes stamped his authority on the opening day of the 2025 Rock Island Grand Prix, producing a blistering qualifying lap and following it up with a convincing heat-race victory to leave himself well-placed for the main events.
In the King of the Streets - Qualifying Race, Barnes recorded the fastest lap of the session with a time of 00:35.419, a benchmark that underlined both his confidence on the tight, demanding street circuit and the pace of his machinery. The lap set the tone for a dominant afternoon as he converted speed into victory in the subsequent heat.
Barnes then produced a composed performance in the King of the Streets - Heat Race, crossing the line with a winning time of 5:44.159 over the 10-lap distance. The result was notable for its consistency: laps were clean and measured, with Barnes managing the traffic and tyre wear that often decide outcomes on the narrow Rock Island streets.
The impressive double — fastest qualifying lap and heat-race win — puts Barnes among the favourites as racing continues on Day Two. With momentum on his side and the confidence that comes from having the early pace, he will be looking to convert his form into another division victory and contend for top honours in the headline races. For rivals, the challenge is clear: to find a way past a rider who has so far combined raw speed with racecraft in equal measure.
As the event builds towards its climax, attention will turn to whether Barnes can repeat his Day One success or whether a reshuffle in the starting order and changing track conditions will open the door for others. Either way, the Rock Island Grand Prix has its storylines set for an intriguing second day of street-circuit action.
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