Kawasaki's Whibley and Jarrett Remain the GNCC Dynamic Duo

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 | 3:45 PM

Kawasaki's Whibley and Jarrett Remain the GNCC Dynamic Duo

Irvine, Calif. - Kawasaki's Paul Whibley and Jimmy Jarrett put the Kawasaki KX450F on the top two steps of the podium for the third time this season in GNCC racing at the John Penton in Millfield, Ohio. The two riders set a blistering pace for the day, finishing over two minutes in front of the final podium finisher. Teammate Scott Watkins finished fourth in the XC2 class and ninth overall.

Winner for the Second Year With two race wins already under his belt, Whibley set out to finish on the top step of the podium for a third time this season. The race went according to plan as Whibley led every lap to bring home another win. The victory put Whibley back into the points lead with a three point gap between second. This was the second year in a row Whibley has won the John Penton race in Ohio.

"From the start I grabbed a sweet holeshot and led the race into the woods," said Whibley. "At one point I missed the arrows in the woods that allowed Glenn (Kearney) to pass, but I was able to pass him back very quickly. It came down to the last lap with Jimmy so I upped the pace and opened a small gap. I kept the intensity up to the finish and moved back into the points lead. Jimmy (Jarrett) rode a great race and we pushed each other hard enough to finish with a big lead in front of third place."

Right There Jarrett's race didn't start as well as Whibley's, but he was right there within the first lap. After a mid-pack start, he charged through his competitors and was into second by the end of the first lap. Only Jarrett was able to keep up with the pace that Whibley was setting and could have finished closer if he didn't make contact with a lapper.

"Of course I want to win, but I'm happy with second," said Jarrett. "I didn't do anything to throw away the race. I just didn't make it through the lappers like Paul did. I've been very close to a win many times this year and I'll be looking for my first in a few weeks at Snowshoe."

Home State for Scott Watkins got a quick start off the line and headed into the woods with the lead pack. For the first half of the race, Watkins and the top-three riders swapped positions back and forth. After the pit, Watkins battled with good friend Jason Thomas for the final podium spot and eventually finished fourth.

Next Round The next race will be at the beautiful ski resort in Snowshoe, West Virginia. The venue is a favorite to most participants and the Kawasaki team will be looking for another great finish.

Results Grand National Cross Country Series
The John Penton- Millfield, Ohio
June 7, 2009

XC1 Results
1. PAUL WHIBLEY, NEW ZEALAND, KAWASAKI
2. JIMMY JARRETT, SALEM, OHIO, KAWASAKI
3. Josh Strang, Hickory, N.C., Suzuki
4. Charles Mullins, Hamilton, Ohio, Suzuki
5. Barry Hawk, Jr., Smithfield, Pa. Yamaha
6. Kurt Caselli, Palmdale, Calif., KTM
7. KENNETH GILBERT, TAVARES, FLA., KAWASAKI
8. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Yamaha
9. Ryan Gainey, Southhampton, N.J., Honda
10. Nathan Kanney, High Falls, N.Y., KTM

XC2 Pro Lites Results
1. Kailub Russell, Kingston, Ohio, KTM
2. Cory Buttrick, Logan, Ohio, KTM
3. Jason Thomas, United Kingdom, Yamaha
4. SCOTT WATKINS, LEETONIA, OHIO, KAWASAKI
5. Jake Korn, Brookeline, N.H., KTM
6. Ryan Echols, Fairmont, W. Va., Honda
7. David Snyder, Navarre, Ohio, Yamaha
8. Eric Bailey, King George, Va., KTM
9. ROBERY SANTHESON, PLYMOUTH, MASS., KAWASAKI
10. Brian Lawson, Adams, Mass., Yamaha

XC1 Point Standings
1. PAUL WHIBLEY, NEW ZEALAND, KAWASAKI, 189
2. Josh Strang, Hickory, N.C., Suzuki, 186
3. Charles Mullins, Hamilton, Ohio, Suzuki, 179
4. JIMMY JARRETT, SALEM, OHIO, KAWASAKI, 144
5. Barry Hawk, Jr., Smithfield, Pa. Yamaha, 119
6. Nathan Kanney, High Falls, N.Y., KTM, 118
7. Kurt Caselli, Palmdale, Calif., KTM, 110
8. Glenn Kearney, Antioch, Calif., HSQ, 83
9. JESSE ROBINSON, CONNELLY SPRINGS, N.C., KAWASAKI, 78
10. Ryan Gainey, Southhampton, N.J., Honda, 75