Kailub Russell and Charlie Mullins will go head-to-head for the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country XC1 Pro Class Championship at the Ironman Finale, while Grant Baylor and Jason Thomas battle for XC2 Pro Lites title
The following is from Racer Productions, promoter of the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (October 23, 2013) – Only two points separate FMF/KTM teammates Kailub Russell and Charlie Mullins in the XC1 Pro Class Championship as the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series comes to a close this weekend in Crawfordsville, Indiana, at the 19th Annual AMSOIL Ironman GNCC. The race will be the stage for an epic three-hour battle where only one of these two riders will come out on top as the newly crowned GNCC champion.
The legendary AMSOIL GNCC season finale has become more than just a race, as nearly 10,000 spectators are expected to attend what has arguably become the largest fall festival in Montgomery County. The entire venue will be adorned in pink, in honor of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, complete with a pink podium backdrop, pink awards and an open invitation to run pink graphics and backgrounds in all classes.
Perhaps the festive atmosphere of the AMSOIL Ironman GNCC will take a back seat on Sunday afternoon as the XC1 Pro and XC2 Pro Lites Classes each have a close-knit championship battle unfolding. Last round, Mullins put an end to Russell’s almost record-breaking five-race winning streak as the 2011 GNCC Champion secured his fifth win of the season to bring the point spread to only two heading into the final round. Both Russell and Mullins have shown that they have what it takes to win races so the 2013 title will be awarded to the rider who can finish strongly at this weekend’s finale.
Defending XC1 Champion Paul Whibley returned to action last round after missing two races while recovering from injury. In just his first race back, Whibley led the early parts of the race where he battled with the front runners and earned a third place overall finish. Whibley will be a vital contender for the race win this weekend in Indiana.
Nytro Handguards/B.R.E KTM’s Chris Bach holds third place in the overall standings with Rocky Mountain ATV/MC’s Josh Strang and Shenandoah Honda/USWE-Sports.com’s Thad DuVall close behind him.
The XC2 Pro Lites Championship will also be decided at this weekend’s finale, as DirtWise Schools/KTM-Parts.com/Maxxis’ Jason Thomas looks to defend his 2012 title against current points leader Grant Baylor. Baylor has a comfortable 21-point cushion over Thomas heading into the final round, but anything could happen in three-hours of racing.
F.A.R Husqvarna’s Andrew DeLong has won the last three rounds in the XC2 Class and the Pennsylvania native will look to secure a fourth consecutive victory this weekend. DeLong missed two rounds in the middle of the season in order to recover from an injury; therefore he is not in contention for the 2013 title. However, DeLong could add a potential spoiler in the race for a final victory this season.
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 race at 10 a.m., and the top amateurs and the pros race at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon will also feature the final round of Side by Side racing, taking place at 4:30 p.m.
For more information, please visit the official series website at www.gnccracing.com or call 304-284-0084.
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