Russell Fends off Mullins for GNCC Title
CRAWFORDSVILLE, Indiana - Heading into the final round of the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series, only two points separated Factory FMF/KTM teammates Kailub Russell and Charlie Mullins in the National Championship standings. The 19th running of the AMSOIL Ironman GNCC set the stage for an epic finale as it was a winner-take-all affair at the AMSOIL Ironman GNCC finale and it was Russell who prevailed, clinching his first career XC1 Overall National Championship after three-hours of close racing competition.
Jordan Ashburn claims his first $250 All Balls Racing XC1 Holeshot Award of the season.
Ken Hill photos
Whibley (1), Mullins (112) and Ashburn (9) got out to an early lead at the Ironman.
"I usually rest my thumb on my starter before the ten seconds call but this time I put a little too much pressure on it. I made a mistake and they penalized me for it," Russell stated.
Charlie Mullins put forth a hard fought battle to finish second overall for the season.
However, it didn't take long for DuVall and Strang to join Whibley for the battle. Midway through the race, DuVall and Strang made the pass on Whibley for the third place battle but just as quickly as they excelled, both riders fell victim to the rough Ironman terrain. Strang and DuVall both experienced crashes that kept them from finishing the season finale in Indiana.
The misfortune of DuVall and Strang led to a favorable opportunity for the reigning XC1 Champion Paul Whibley, as he was able to reclaim the third place position. FMF/RPM/KTM's Rory Mead turned it up in the second half of the race, jumping from eighth place all the way into the fourth place position. Ashburn dropped into the fifth place spot, where he then set his sights on Mead ahead.
GNCC official Tim Cotter presents Kailub Russell with the National #1 plate.
"It's been great season but it hasn't been without its struggles, that's for sure," Russell said. I was forced to dig myself out of a hole in the points earlier in the season and I gave myself another shot at the championship today and it's a great honor to be up here and battle with some of the best guys in the world."
Congratulations to the Factory KTM team for a successful 2013 GNCC season.
"It was a fun year. What can I say, Kailub rode well today and I gave it everything I had and came up a little short," Mullins said. "Somebody had to lose and I guess it was me this year but I can't be bummed about too much since I stayed healthy. It's good fuel for the fire next year and hopefully come back strong and go after the #1 plate in 2014."
Whibley rode on to capture his second consecutive podium finish after coming back from a mid-season injury. The two-time GNCC Champion and New Zealand native will round out the 2013 season with the fifth place overall position in the championship standings.
"This is the premier off-road racing series in the world, everyone dreams about coming to GNCC and for me to come over here and win championships and get podium finishes is awesome," Whibley said. "I'm just happy to be over here racing these guys and to come back and have two podiums at the end of the season is a good way to end it and I'm looking forward to the 2014 season."
XC1 podium: (left) Charlie Mullins (left), Kailub Russell, Paul Whibley.
Andrew Delong bids farewell to the XC2 Pro Lites Class with the final win of 2013.
Indiana's Zach Love captured his first DigitalOffroad.com XC2 Holeshot Award.
Grant Baylor clinced the XC2 Pro Lites Championship at the young age of 16.
Indiana's own Mike Witkowski claimed the Top Amateur Honors with 17th Overall.
Kacy Martinez captured her second Morning Overall at the season finale.
North Carolina's Braxton McGee topped the Youth Overall podium once again, claiming his sixth overall victory of the season. Braxton was followed closely on the overall podium by the second place finisher in the Super Mini (14-15) Class, South Carolina's Cole Mattison. In his GNCC Racing debut, amateur motocross star Chase Sexton topped the Super Mini (12-13) Class, claiming the third and final position on the overall Youth podium.
That concludes the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series. The top 10 in each National Championship Class will be recognized at the Season Celebration in Morgantown, W. Va., on November 22 and 23. For more information on the series, please visit www.gnccracing.com.
Stay up-to-date with exclusive content from the 2013 AMSOIL GNCC Series by following the series Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
AMSOIL Ironman GNCC
Crawfordsville, Indiana
Round 13 of 13
Sunday, October 27
1. Kailub Russell KTM
2. Charlie Mullins KTM
3. Paul Whibley Yam
4. Rory Mead Yam
5. Jordan Ashburn KTM
6. Ricky Russell Yam
7. Takeshi Koikeda Hon
8. Adam Bonneur Kaw
9. Justin Bonita KTM
10. Chris Bach OTH
11. Tim Weigand Hon
12. Thad DuVall Hon
13. Robert Kvarnstrom BET
14. Steward Baylor KTM
15. Jedediah Haines Yam
16. Josh Strang Kaw
Overall National Championship Standings
1. Kailub Russell 335pts KTM
2. Charlie Mullins 328pts KTM
3. Chris Bach 192pts KTM
4. Josh Strang 176pts Kaw
5. Paul Whibley 169pts Yam
6. Thad DuVall 161pts Hon
7. Jordan Ashburn 156pts Yam
8. Grant Baylor 143pts KTM
9. Jason Thomas 139pts KTM
10. Andrew DeLong 121pts HSQ
XC2 Overall
1. Andrew Delong HSQ
2. Scott Grills Kaw
3. Shane Hufford KTM
4. Jason Thomas KTM
5. Layne Michael Hon
6. Grant Baylor KTM
7. Ian Blythe KTM
8. Travis Coy KTM
9. Ryan Lojak Yam
10. Derrik Allen Yam
11. Goncalo Reis KTM
12. Samuel Evans KTM
13. Zach Love KTM
14. Chris Douglas KTM
15. Michael McGinnis Suz
XC2 Series Standings
1. Grant Baylor 272pts KTM
2. Jason Thomas 254pts KTM
3. Andrew Delong 241pts HSQ
4. Shane Hufford 195pts KTM
5. Scott Grills 161pts Kaw
6. Layne Michael 136pts Hon
7. Samuel Evans 126pts KTM
8. Chris Douglas 123pts KTM
9. Travis Coy 119pts KTM
10. Michael McGinnis 115pts Suz
Women Overall
1. Kacy Martinez KTM
2. Maria Forsberg KTM
3. Jessica Patterson Yam
4. Becca Sheets Yam
5. Karylnn Beam KTM
Women Point Standings
1. Maria Forsberg 179pts KTM
2. Kacy Martinez 173pts KTM
3. Becca Sheets 158pts Yam
4. Jessica Patterson 147pts Yam
5. Hannah Otto 142pts KTM