Russell Seeks Fifth Straight at Gusher
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.- The 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series makes its debut in Northwest Pennsylvania this weekend, September 21 and 22, for the inaugural running of the Car-Mate Gusher GNCC. Taking place on the property of Foxburg's picturesque RiverStone Estate, Round 11 of the 13-race series will showcase all-new terrain with freshly cut trail alongside the wild and scenic Allegheny and Clarion Rivers.
In addition to the excitement and anticipation of this first time event, all attention will be turned to the racetrack Sunday afternoon as the battle continues to unfold for the coveted 2013 National Championship. Only two points separate Factory FMF/KTM teammates Kailub Russell and Charlie Mullins in the overall standings as the series heads into unexplored territory for the eleventh round of racing. As the 2011 XC1 Pro Champion, Mullins has experience on his side but the two-time XC2 Pro Lites Champion, Russell, has his sights set on his first career XC1 crown this season. Russell holds the points lead heading into Sunday's race, with an impressive four-race winning streak behind him.
Kailub Russell (557) enters Round 11 with a four-race winning streak behind him.
Photo: Ken Hill
Nytro Handguards/B.R.E KTM's Chris Bach holds the third place position in the overall standings as the only rider to finish inside the top ten overall through each of the first ten rounds of racing. With two podium finishes this season, the Indiana native is looking to finish atop the podium this Sunday in Pennsylvania. Shenandoah Honda/USWE-Sports.com's Thad DuVall dropped a position in the point standings after running into wheel issues at the last round, finishing 16th overall for the day. DuVall now sits three points behind Strang for fifth place in the overall standings.
Strang (80) turned it up a notch last round, giving Mullins (112) and Russell a run for their money.
Photo: Ken Hill
Heading into Round 11, Baylor holds a 37-point lead over Thomas in the championship standings where the championship is his to lose. In his rookie season, the 16-year-old Baylor has captured three XC2 wins through the first ten rounds, while Thomas has just one win. With nine total hours of racing left to go this season, the class championship will come down to the very end.
Andrew Delong looks to be fully recovered from injury and back in the XC2 mix.
Photo: Ken Hill
Spectator passes run $15 for the full weekend, with pro pit access and pro autographs at no additional charge. On both Saturday and Sunday, youth riders race at 8 a.m., amateurs and Women race at 10 a.m., and the top amateurs and the pros race at 1 p.m. For more information and directions to the event, please visit www.gnccracing.com.
Previous Round Results and Championship Standings
Can-Am Unadilla GNCC
Unadilla Raceway - New Berlin, Ny.
Round 10 of 13
Sunday, September 8
XC1 Event Results:
- Kailub Russell (KTM)
- Charlie Mullins (KTM)
- Josh Strang (KAW)
- Rory Mead (KTM)
- Jordan Ashburn (YAM)
- Jonathan Girroir (KTM)
- Chris Bach (KTM)
- Ricky Russell (YAM)
- Thad DuVall (HON)
- Takeshi Koikeda (HON)
Overall National Championship Standings:
- Kailub Russell (250)
- Charlie Mullins (248)
- Chris Bach (163)
- Josh Strang (143)
- Thad DuVall (140)
- Paul Whibley (127)
- Grant Baylor (119)
- Jordan Ashburn (106)
- Jason Thomas (106)
- Andrew DeLong (77)
XC2 Event Results:
- Andrew DeLong (HSQ)
- Zach Osborne (HON)
- Scott Grills (KAW)
- Grant Baylor (KTM)
- Shane Hufford Jr (KTM)
- Jesse Groemm (KTM)
- Ian Blythe (KTM)
- Jason Klammer (KTM)
- Layne Michael (KTM)
- Sam Evans (KTM)
XC2 Series Standings:
- Grant Baylor (227)
- Jason Thomas (190)
- Andrew DeLong (151)
- Shane Hufford Jr (131)
- Layne Michael (104)
- AJ Stewart (102)
- Travis Coy (98)
- Scott Grills (97)
- Zach Nolan (96)
- Michael McGinnis (92)