GNCC Racing

Kailub Russell Clinches National Championship With 5th Straight Victory at Car-Mate Mountain Ridge GNCC

Kailub Russell Clinches National Championship With 5th Straight Victory at Car-Mate Mountain Ridge GNCC

Monday, September 22, 2014 | 6:30 AM
Monday, September 22, 2014 | 6:30 AM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOMERSET, Pa. (September 21, 2014) – Round 11 of the 2014 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, took place in Somerset, Pennsylvania on Sunday with the Car-Mate Mountain Ridge GNCC. Factory FMF/KTM’s Kailub Russell clinched the 2014 National Championship two rounds early after claiming his 5th straight victory of the season on Sunday. Russell’s KTM-backed teammate, Grant Baylor, had a stellar day as well, capturing his fourth consecutive win in the class and taking home second overall for the day.

Congratulations to Kailub Russell on his 5th straight victory of the season
Congratulations to Kailub Russell on his 5th straight victory of the season Photo: Ken Hill

N-Fab AmPro Yamaha's Paul Whibley led the way through the first turn, grabbing the $250 All Balls Racing XC1 Holeshot Award and took the early lead, followed closely by Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Josh Strang on the opening lap. However, despite tipping over on the first corner of the start, N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Jordan Ashburn made his way to the front by the opening lap, where he led his teammates and former GNCC Champions Whibley and Strang early on.

Photo: Ken Hill

Meanwhile, Russell got off to a not-so-favorable start, where the reigning champion checked in around fifth place on the opening lap. But it didn’t take long for Russell to push his way toward the front as he joined Ashburn for the lead battle on lap two.

The top three running order tightened up immensely on the third lap where less than 15 seconds separated Ashburn, Russell and Strang as they all three headed into the pits for fuel at the same time. Ashburn made it out first, followed by Russell and then Strang. However, things quickly took a turn for the worst for Strang when he acquired some extra fuel in his lap near the end of his pit. Only seven seconds behind the lead battle, Strang attempted to continue racing but the pain became intolerant so the Australian native was forced to return to his pit and take care of himself, thus removing himself from the race.

Strang’s misfortune opened up the doors for Factory Husqvarna’s Andrew Delong to gain a position in the overall running, where he made it from eighth to third by lap four. Rockstar Energy Racing/WMR KTM’s Ryan Sipes then slipped into the fourth place position, followed by Whibley in fifth.

Andrew Delong finished third in the XC1 class
Andrew Delong finished third in the XC1 class Photo: Ken Hill

But just as Delong and the other XC1 riders began their quest for an overall podium finish, XC2 Pro Lites leader Grant Baylor swooped in on the adjusted time clock. Baylor eventually made his way into the top three with time adjustment, and from there, the 17-year-old pushed his way into the second place spot.

The intense battle for the physical lead continued on between Ashburn and Russell and as the two-lap card fell, Russell finally made his move to the front. But Ashburn didn’t let up as he pushed to stay about 10 seconds behind on the final lap. In the end, Ashburn finished one minute behind Russell to capture second place in the XC1 Pro class but Baylor’s fast pace from the second row was enough to bump Ashburn back one position to finish third overall for the day, while Baylor added a third podium finish to his overall arsenal.

Kailub Russell added another career victory to his collection, now sitting with 21 career overall wins, which is good enough to tie Scott Plessinger for fifth place on the All-Time Bike Wins list. But for Russell, a big weight has been lifted as he captured his second straight title with two rounds left to go.

“It feels great to get the championship wrapped up early,“ stated Russell. “My team worked so hard to help me accomplish this goal and I am so grateful for their hard work. I hope to continue my win streak at the next two rounds to finish the season off with a couple more victories.”

The Factory FMF/KTM team celebrates Kailub Russell's Championship
The Factory FMF/KTM team celebrates Kailub Russell's Championship Photo: Ken Hill

Russell captured an extra $150 courtesy of the KR4 Performance Fastest Lap Award, where he laid down the fastest lap on the final lap with a time of 25:49.

After leading four of the six laps, Ashburn’s stellar performance vaulted the Tennessee native into the second place position in the championship standings where he surpassed Strang, who wasn’t able to finish on Sunday. Strang now sits one point back in third.

Ashburn showcased an impressive performance on Sunday
Ashburn showcased an impressive performance on Sunday Photo: Ken Hill

DeLong finished out strongly, capturing third place in the XC1 Pro class and fourth overall for the day. Sipes finished put forth an impressive ride to capture a career-best fourth place in XC1 and fifth overall for the day after coming back from outside the top 10 on the opening lap.

XC1 podium: (left) Andrew Delong, Kailub Russell, Jordan Ashburn
XC1 podium: (left) Andrew Delong, Kailub Russell, Jordan Ashburn Photo: Ken Hill

Whibley rounded out the top five in XC1 and sixth overall for the day, followed by Maxxis/KLIM/DirtWise KTM Race Team’s Jason Thomas in sixth, Chris Douglas in seventh and Takeshi Koikeda in eighth. RideMPS.com/AMSOIL Honda’s Thad DuVall finished ninth in XC1 after he reportedly blew his rear shock on the third lap of racing, where he rode the remainder of the race at a disadvantage. JCR Honda/Rockstar Energy’s Chris Bach battled for a top five position all afternoon and the Indiana native was well on his way until he tipped over in a rock section and punctured his water pump cover. Bach came into the pits to fix his bike and returned to the race but his valiant effort wasn’t enough to score championship points at round 11.

Grant Baylor continues to inch his way toward an overall victory!
Grant Baylor continues to inch his way toward an overall victory! Photo: Ken Hill

KTM Support rider Grant Baylor extended his lead in XC2 Pro Lites with a fourth straight victory in the class. At the beginning of the three-hour race, XC2 rookie Trevor Bollinger held on to the pace of Baylor and the duo battled it out for the lead position. However, as the race wore on, Baylor picked up his pace dramatically, where he rode on uncontested for yet another win in the class, as well as an impressive second place overall finish.

XC2 podium: (left) Trevor Bollinger, Grant Baylor, (right) Nick Davis
XC2 podium: (left) Trevor Bollinger, Grant Baylor, (right) Nick Davis Photo: Ken Hill

Bollinger was able to hold on for another second place finish for the season, while KR4 Arrive-N-Ride KTM’s Nick Davis rounded out the top three with his fourth podium finish of the season. Davis also earned an extra $100 courtesy of the DigitalOffroad.com XC2 Holeshot Award.

Craig Delong takes another $125 American Kargo Top Amateur Award with 9th overall!
Craig Delong takes another $125 American Kargo Top Amateur Award with 9th overall! Photo: Ken Hill

Craig Delong went home with another $125 American Kargo Top Amateur Award after finishing ninth overall for the day in a heated battle with 250 A class competitor Austin Lee.

10 a.m. overall podium: (left) Kacy Martinez, Sarah Baldwin, Brooke Cosner
10 a.m. overall podium: (left) Kacy Martinez, Sarah Baldwin, Brooke Cosner Photo: Ken Hill

The WXC front-runners dominated the 10 a.m. race once again, securing the top three overall positions for the day. It was KR4 Arrive-N-Ride’s newest team member, Sarah Baldwin, who captured her first victory of the season, followed by Factory FMF/KTM’s Kacy Martinez in second, and KR4 Arrive-N-Ride’s Brooke Cosner came in third for her second podium appearance of the season.

Cole Mattison won his 8th consecutive Youth Overall on Saturday
Cole Mattison won his 8th consecutive Youth Overall on Saturday Photo: Ken Hill

South Carolina’s Cole Mattison made it eight-in-a-row on Sunday with yet another Youth overall victory, as well as the Super Mini (14-15) class win. Mattison was joined atop the podium by Florida native Jesse Ansley, who also grabbed another win in the 85 (12-13) class, and North Carolina’s Conner Smith, who finished second in the Super Mini class and third overall for the day.

The 2014 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series will head to St. Clairsville, Ohio on Oct. 4 and 5 for the ITP Powerline Park GNCC. For more information on the series, visit www.gnccracing.com.

Stay up-to-date with exclusive content from the AMSOIL GNCC Series by following the series Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Car-Mate Mountain Ridge GNCC
Somerset, Pennsylvania
Round 11 of 13
Saturday, September 21

XC1 Event Results:

  1. Kailub Russell (KTM)
  2. Jordan Ashburn (YAM)
  3. Andrew Delong (HSQ)
  4. Ryan Sipes (KTM)
  5. Paul Whibley (YAM)
  6. Jason Thomas (KTM)
  7. Chris Douglas (KTM)
  8. Takeshi Koikeda (HON)
  9. Thad DuVall (HON)
  10. Chris Bach (HON)

*Overall National Championship Standings:

  1. Kailub Russell (293)
  2. Jordan Ashburn (187)
  3. Josh Strang (186)
  4. Charlie Mullins (180)
  5. Grant Baylor (177)
  6. Paul Whibley (152)
  7. Andrew Delong (152)
  8. Ricky Russell (117)
  9. Chris Bach (108)
  10. Trevor Bollinger (106)

*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2014 National Champion.

XC2 Event Results:

  1. Grant Baylor (KTM)
  2. Trevor Bollinger (HON)
  3. Nick Davis (KTM)
  4. Michael McGinnis (KTM)
  5. Sam Evans (KTM)
  6. Mark Heresco (KTM)
  7. Zach Love (KTM)
  8. Callan May (YAM)
  9. Derrik Allen (YAM)
  10. Mat Herrington (KTM)

XC2 Series Standings:

  1. Grant Baylor (292)
  2. Trevor Bollinger (235)
  3. Ricky Russell (233)
  4. Callan May (128)
  5. Layne Michael (127)
  6. Sam Evans (120)
  7. Jesse Groemm (119)
  8. Shane Hufford Jr (114)
  9. Nick Davis (111)
  10. Chris Douglas (99Kasil)

About GNCC Racing

The AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country series presented by Maxxis is America's premier off-road racing series. Founded in 1975, the 13-round championship is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross-country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The grueling three-hour GNCC races lead as many as 1,500 riders through tracks ranging in length from eight to 12 miles. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. The series draws talent from all over the U.S., Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. GNCC Racing is televised weekly on NBC Sports and RacerTV.com. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com.