Welcome to Quick Fill.

Well, it’s Thursday and I’m happy to say that I’ve finally recovered from Ironman. Seriously. It’s always a struggle come Monday morning after an event but this one takes the cake. It may have something to do with spending a brutal hour in the woods on Saturday afternoon strapped into the passenger seat of a Can-Am Commander, but still! The effects of whiplash finally went away last night and I’m actually feeling pretty good today.

Today has been a somewhat hectic, yet very productive day. We were in and out of meetings all day in the office and it seems like a lot of ground was covered on a variety of topics. One being the GNCC website rebuild project, which is going to be amazing. We’re working out all the details and kinks with our new web designer and we’re looking to launch the new site sometime in February if all goes as planned. You guys are going to be amazed at the difference in sites and I think everyone will be impressed and satisfied with the ease of navigation and all-around awesomeness of the new site. I can’t wait!

Another hot topic, among many, is the live stream show that we’ve been working so hard execute. We know the horrible internet service last weekend frustrated a lot of people, but trust me, we are making huge strides with this thing. We have some new equipment to test at Loretta’s and once we can land the perfect combo we will be good to go! So anyway, we appreciate all the great feedback and thank everyone who’s been tuning in. One other thing we didn’t realize before, we can pay to remove the commercials! So we will definitely upgrade before next weekend so the new Nissan Altima doesn’t pop up as we’re trying to announce something exciting!

Just want to extend a HUGE thanks to everyone who participated in last weekend’s pink efforts at Ironman. I don’t have a grand total just yet but I think we collectively raised a good amount of money for Crawfordsville’s FAITH Alliance organization. I saw a whole lot of interesting pink garb around the facility, which made for another festive weekend at Ironman. Nice work!

So when I was originally approached by Rich Travalena to ride passenger in the SxS I was a little bit weary of it all. I mean, having raced a handful of GNCCs before, I had no qualms about the mud, carnage, safety or difficulty of the actual competition. It was more about not being in control of the, ehhm, vehicle, than anything else. So I agreed to ride with Rich at Ironman and it was honestly one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done. I feel like you can’t really understand or appreciate what these folks do until you actually take part yourself. First off, I knew the SxS were capable of reaching high speeds, but I guess I didn’t realize how fast they actually went through the woods! We did a little bumping and grinding as we made our way through the pack (we started in row 11 I think), but surprisingly we kept all four wheels on the ground and never got stuck. The track was pretty gnarly”†especially for having stock suspension”†and towards the end of the race I began feeling each bump more intensely as I was already becoming sore. My favorite part of the race was definitely powering through the muddy mess around the creek crossing and climbing Twin Hills. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Next time I may have to scoot one seat to the left, though.

Here’s @JaredBolton:

So the plot thickens! We had ourselves quite the weekend of racing in Indiana, didn’t we? It’s been said plenty of times before, the Ironman GNCC is like no other and presents everything from huge turnouts to challenging terrain, great racing and more. There’s no doubt that this year was no different. A bit of rain made conditions out on the trail a bit tough for everyone and there’s no doubt that everyone had to be feeling it, especially the bike riders who took to it after everyone else had made it rough. (Don’t worry, you’ll get the fresh trail at Loretta’s!)

The racing itself provided us with two new overall winners for the 2012 season as Walker Fowler snagged his first ever XC1 win on Saturday, and Charlie Mullins finally snagged his first win of the season. Both of these riders are no strangers to the top spot of the podium but just haven’t had the wins yet this year. In Fowler’s case, it’s been his first year in the XC1 class, and Charlie Mullins had been working through some bad luck that has struck him throughout the season.

Of course, they weren’t the only guys who returned to the top spot as Steward Baylor also showed that his bad luck streak is officially broken as took the XC2 win and regained the XC2 points lead heading into the final round at Loretta Lynn’s. This comes a week after he wrapped up the 2012 National Enduro title as well, so there’s no doubt that Steward is back to his winning ways. However, the Ironman win didn’t come easy as Jason Thomas also put in a solid race, leading at times and eventually finishing second to Baylor.

Then you really can’t leave out the battle for the championship. Kailub Russell had an up and down race at Ironman and was as far back as 8^th place at one point but managed to fight his way back into a podium spot. However, it would be Paul Whibley who was struck by bad luck, as he would run out of gas on the final lap. He was able to get gas from Jimmy Jarrett out on the trail but didn’t stop in the pro pits before heading to the finish. That of course broke the rule stating that you can only receive enough gas to get back to the pro pits, for which Whibs was penalized 15 seconds and 1 position.

Things are heating up now because Kailub Russell has now taken over the points lead but, it’s only a one point advantage over Whibley. To make things even more interesting, the XC2 class is also separated by a single point with Steward Baylor maintaining the lead over Jason Thomas. I really can’t recall a championship being separated by one point coming into the final round, and definitely can’t think of TWO happening at the same time. This could definitely prove to make for the most epic rounds of racing in a really long time.

It will also be interesting to see if running the course on Saturday will have an effect or not. These guys are used to riding the track after everyone else is done with it. The PM bike races always have some of the roughest ruts, braking bumps, acceleration bumps and anything else you can think of. Not only that, but there’s also a ton of new lines that have opened up throughout the weekend. Now, there will only be one race that has ran the full course prior to the pros hitting it. It could make things interesting to see who can find the new lines, and maybe even go a little faster since the course likely won’t be as rough as they’re used to.

Loretta Lynn’s is the longest running current GNCC and has definitely seen it’s fair share of great racing over the years and has had some of the greatest racers in the world (also on the motocross side!) touch it’s soil. The Amateur National has seen some great racing in its history, and the GNCC is no different. However, this year’s Loretta Lynn’s GNCC just could possibly provide some of the greatest racing in the history of the race. The storyline itself of two of the top championships in the series being separated by one point coming into the final round already makes it even more legendary.

We’ve still got a week to go before it all happens but I know I can’t wait. It’s sort of bittersweet because not only will we see championships decided, but it’s also going to be the final round of the year, which many people will be ready for a welcomed break but I think we’ll all be jonesing to race again within a couple of days”¦ I know I will.

Well, that’s going to do it for me this week. Hope everyone enjoys their weekend, and get ready, Loretta’s is coming. Until next time, Bolt-On out!

@HotRodney22:

The Amsoil Ironman GNCC has come and gone. It was without a doubt a very eventful weekend. Championships tightened across the board setting the stage for the finale at Loretta Lynn’s now only a little more than a week away.

While the rain showers on Friday and through the overnight into Saturday morning presented its fair share of challenges on mainly getting into the facility, it produced a true high caliber level of racing that left race fans satisfied that they just witnessed the best off road racing could offer.

As the weekend of racing began on Saturday morning the “Good Morning GNCC Racin’ Nation” was met as it always is at Ironman with a rumble of hoots and cheers from all around the pits out of the darkness of dawn. For me some reason it seems to be most majestic at the Ironman GNCC. I get goose bumps each time it happens and it sets a tone and mood for the day that it is going to be another day of exciting surprises.

There were no surprises as far as the youth ATV race was concerned. It was expected to be another highly competitive battle between Hunter Hart, Zachary Jones, Cody Collier and Seth Wilson. The conditions no matter how adverse always seem to pit these youngsters head to head.

Youth division point leader Zachary Jones had his work cut out for him as he and Hunter Hart were fighting relentlessly for the win at the Ironman which would either lock up the title for Zach or keep the hopes alive for Hunter Hart to retain the number 1 plate.

In the end, Jones was able to best Hart at the Ironman which gave him a total of 6 wins on the season to Harts 4 and Cody Collier’s 2. By all appearances, it looks like Zachary Jones should be the 90 Open class and national overall Youth National Champion. Congratulations to all the competitors for an awesome year of competition and I can ”˜t wait to see what Loretta’s will hold for this division as it will obviously be a no holds barred battle royal to close out the 2012 championship season.

Though those guys get a lot of the spotlight there are still other class championships on the line. The Girls (8-15) is a prime example. Heading into the weekend there was a three-way tie in points between the Bryanne Parks, Sadie Welch and Catlyn Bennett and after the Ironman the points didn’t separate much. Bennett who captured the last win at the Ironman as well as four others on the season may have the advantage but anyone who has followed this battle this season knows that it will be a fight regardless to the bitter end for bragging rights as much as anything. The point standings are Bennett (174), Welch (173) and Parks (171).

The 90 Open (8-11) is also seeing good championship battle between Carter Kerens and Drew Moore. Only 2 points separate the championship in this one and Loretta’s GNCC will be the showdown for these boys and the opportunity to leave the season on top no matter how the points shake out in the end. Kerens win gave him a total of five on the season with three wins in row heading into Loretta’s.

One cannot ignore the battles in the 90 Limited (8-10) class either. Derek Mitchum and Dylan Walraven are separated by only 3 points heading into the finale. Mitchum has five wins to Walraven’s 4 at this point and again to leave the season with a win could be icing on the cake for a great championship battle. Both riders struggled in the Indiana mud with Mitchum finishing 5^th and Walraven finishing 7^th. The final round should be critical for this championship as Walraven will have to win to even think about making this championship his at this point.

As far as the morning racing goes, many championships have been decided but there are still a few left up for grabs. The following is some highlight notes to acquaint you with the quick break down in a nutshell so to speak:

• U2-Cliffton Beasley, who announced his retirement, has secured the title for the U2 class amassing an incredible 10 wins through the 12 rounds of racing thus far.
• 4x4 Open-Bryan Buckhannon captured 9 wins to this point and has positioned himself for the championship yet again in this class.
• 4x4 Lites-Kevin Trantham is another rider taking an impressive 9 wins thus this far and is considered a threat to be on the podium any given Saturday for a top 3 overall placement.
• 4x4 Senior-Forrest Whorton has won a staggering 11 rounds this season in his class and would be considered Undefeated in the class for the season had he not missed the Big Buck GNCC.
• 4x4 Novice-Tanner Bowels has taken 7 wins and 2 second place finishes which should give him that title.
• Women-Traci Cecco who recently got married to XC1 Pro racer Jeff Pickens wrapped up her title after the Powerline Park GNCC. In a surprise announcement the 9-Time Women Class Champ shocked the racing world by announcing her retirement from racing. An icon in the sport, Traci will be forever a legend that may never see her accomplishments matched. She is also responsible in part and a huge inspiration for the up and coming Girls and Women classes in off road racing.
• Women Amateur-Emily Wise, who first made her mark in the youth Girls class, wrapped up the title for the class early. Interesting note for Miss Wise is that she lined up in the College B class on Saturday afternoon to try her hand in the afternoon competition, which could be a good prelude to racing the premier Women class in 2013.
• Super Senior 45+ -Dave Simmons has accomplished what no one else has been able to do in the morning classes this season and that is to be undefeated through all 12 rounds of the season. Anyone who knows Dave, knows the intensity and sincerity in which he puts into his racing and they recognize his hard work and efforts paying off.
• Masters 50+ -Glenn McConnell has a two point lead head into Loretta’s. He has six wins to class competitor Kenny Rich Sr. who has five. This final race seems to carry a lot of weight for both as the battle to the end.
• Schoolboy A/B (13-15 ) -Brayden Shick and Colton White sit in a tie in points right now. Advantage may favor White as he has five wins for the season compared to Shick’s three, but the final round could be an exciting one to watch.
• Schoolboy Novice-Kody McClung and Westley Wolfe battle in this one right down to the wire it appears. The advantage for McClung is his consistency. Even though he has five wins to Wolfe’s six, Wolfe did not have as quite as strong finishes in the races he did not win. Other one race he finished 2^nd in, Wolfe’s other finishes were 9^th or worse which puts some weight into the favor of McClung for this title.
• 24+C-Is worth a mention because Raymond Edwards and Alan Baldwin sit in a tie for point lead after the Ironman. Baldwin tightened things up with a win but will it be enough to swing the momentum in his favor.
• 30+C-Only four points are the difference between Joe Blystone and Kenny Rich Jr. Rich has come on strong as of late and a win at Loretta’s might be what he needs to seal the deal.
• 35+C ”“Bryan Rausch and Michael Edwards are tied with Matt Darnley only 5 points behind them. Edwards has four wins on the season and the win in the final round should be enough to push it over the top.

Wow that’s a lot going on and we haven’t even looked into the afternoon. But everyone knows that Chris Borich has secured his 4^th Championship title. He has also accumulated 58 wins over his career and is looking forward to going after not only a 5^th title but the all-time win record currently shared by *Bill Balance and *Barry Hawk.

Then we have to look quickly at the Xc2 Pro Am battle between Pat McGuire and Braden Henthorn. McGuire who took the first win of the season, held onto the point lead for most of the season with strong consistent rides but a 13^th place finish at the Ironman has allowed the rookie XC2 rider Henthorn to steal it away. Henthorn who has rode strong all season has put together three wins in a row. The way that look at the points right now, McGuire would have to win and Henthorn finish worse than 2^nd.

That is a lot to absorb. We haven’t even touched the College A class or College B class and all the amazing things going on there. Next week I hope to pick up there and look at some of the highlights for the bike side of things to set the stage for the finale at Loretta Lynn’s.

That’ll do it for now. Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.