I had heard a little rumor that the Associated team was not informed that they could run 4 classes. You would still think they would try to get Ryan M in there though.
Kody N is a local racer to me, as of a week and a half ago he did not have a SC104x4. I think a weeks time to do a build and setup then go out and run 4th is really good showing. He ran the Travis B. saddle pack setup (silver05rs?).