Grant Baylor Wins Little Brown Jug National Enduro

Grant Baylor wins his first career AMA National Enduro in South Carolina, while Andrew DeLong moves closer to a date with destiny.

Scott Rousseau

Grant Baylor wins his first career AMA National Enduro in South Carolina, while Andrew DeLong moves closer to a date with destiny.

Grant Baylor scored his first career AMA National Enduro win at the Little Brown Jug National Enduro, Sunday. PHOTO COURTESY OF KTM IMAGES.
Grant Baylor scored his first career AMA National Enduro win at the Little Brown Jug National Enduro, Sunday. PHOTO COURTESY OF KTM IMAGES.

In front of his home state fans, factory FMF/KTM rider Grant Baylor earned his first career AMA National Enduro win at the Little Brown Jug National Enduro in Union, South Carolina, today, but Bel-Ray Husqvarna’s Andrew DeLong edged one step closer to earning a historic title for Husqvarna.

The Little Brown Jug National Enduro promised to be interesting, as series points leader DeLong needed to remain consistent to preserve his points lead. As if the star-studded field of series regulars wasn’t enough, DeLong would face new competition in the form of teammate and four-time series champion Russell
Bobbitt as well as reigning AMSOIL GNCC Champion Kailub Russell.

Visiting AMSOIL GNCC Champion Kailub Russell won the first special test of the day and was in contention for a podium finish until a mistake in the final section dropped him to fourth overall. PHOTO COURTESY OF KTM IMAGES.
Visiting AMSOIL GNCC Champion Kailub Russell won the first special test of the day and was in contention for a podium finish until a mistake in the final section dropped him to fourth overall. PHOTO COURTESY OF KTM IMAGES.

Russell set the pace early by winning the first special test, and he would be a contender for the win throughout much of the enduro. But Baylor also got off to a strong start, turning the second fastest time in the first test.

The two FMF/KTM teammates remained at the top of the leaderboard through the next few tests despite being hampered by lappers in the thick dust. Baylor moved into the overall lead after the fourth special test, and he held on the rest of the way by taking the win in the fifth special test and posting a solid time in the sixth special test to claim the overall win, with Yamaha rider Josh Strang second and DeLong third.

Factory Husqvarna rider Andrew DeLong rode to a steady third and padded his series points lead with one round remaining. DeLong has a real shot at becoming the first Husqvarna rider to win the AMA Enduro title in 28 years.
Factory Husqvarna rider Andrew DeLong rode to a steady third and padded his series points lead with one round remaining. DeLong has a real shot at becoming the first Husqvarna rider to win the AMA Enduro title in 28 years.
“It is an amazing feeling to get this win,” Baylor said. “I have been close a few times this season, and was really hoping to pull one off before the end of the series. I am very grateful to my team for helping me get to this point.”

Russell lost out on what seemed like a sure podium position when he ran into trouble in the final special test, clipping some trees and losing just enough time to drop to fourh overall.

Russell’s misfortune only helped DeLong, who came into the Little Brown Jug National Enduro feeling a bit under the weather. DeLong clearly rode a defensive enduro, smartly opting to protect his points lead rather than push for the win. DeLong’s third-place finish only added to his series lead. He now has a 22-point lead with just one round remaining, and a decent finish at the final round in Indiana, on September 14, will make him the first Husqvarna rider to win the AMA National Enduro Championship since Terry Cunningham did the deed way back in 1986.

Bobbitt made his return to action after nearly a six-month layoff due to injury, finishing sixth, behind Russell and KTM-mounted Jesse Groemm.

Kenda AMA National Enduro Series
Little Brown Jug National Enduro
Results: August 31, 2014 (Round 9 of 10)

Overall
1. Grant Baylor-KTM
2. Josh Strang-Yam
3. Andrew DeLong-Hus
4. Kailub Russell-KTM
5. Jesse Groemm-KTM
6. Russell Bobbitt-Hus
7. Brad Bakken-Yam
8. Jordan Ashburn-Yam
9. Mike Lafferty-KTM
10. Trevor Bollinger-Hon

Kenda AMA National Enduro Series Points Standings (After 9 of 10 rounds)
1. Andrew DeLong-191/2 wins
2. Jesse Groemm-169/1 win
3. Grant Baylor-162/1 win
4. Brad Bakken-156/1 win
5. Nick Fahringer-152
6. Steward Baylor Jr.-127
7. Michael Lafferty-122
8. Charlie Mullins-120/4 wins
9. Ryder Lafferty-92
10. Paddy Holloway-79

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