Chip Ellis needed less than an inch during a semi-final loss to Angelle Sampey. That would have been enough to erase a .001 finish line deficit. Both riders had .008 reactions and Sampey’s 7.017 elapsed time was a tad bit quicker.

Never had Ellis, rider for the G2 Team, wanted a win so badly. Ellis wanted to win for his grandfather Herb Ellis, who was brutally murdered the weekend before St. Louis.

Chip Ellis needed less than an inch during a semi-final loss to Angelle Sampey in St. Louis. That would have been enough to erase a .001 finish line deficit. Both riders had .008 reactions and Sampey’s 7.017 elapsed time was a tad bit quicker.

Never had Ellis, rider for the G2 Team, wanted a win so badly. Ellis wanted to win for his grandfather Herb Ellis, who was brutally murdered the weekend before St. Louis.

Ellis rode with the sticker “In Memory of Pop” emblazoned on his helmet. His father Dale Ellis was with him last weekend.

“It helps to ease the pain by having dad here,” Ellis said, fighting back the tears. “It’s hard to talk about it. He was with me today. I wanted to take him four.”

Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com offers their deepest condolences to Ellis and his family for their tragic loss.