Kailub Russell collects his first AMSOIL GNCC win of the season at the FMF Steele Creek GNCC; Trevor Bollinger remains perfect in XC2.
It seemed only a question of “when” and not “if” FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell would collect his first AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series overall win, and answered the former with a brilliant win in the 16th Annual FMF Steele Creek GNCC, Sunday.
Russell had to work for the win in the race, which was held at the Steel Creek Campground in Morganton, North Carolina, but by the end of the three-hour Pro race, the reigning series champion was back on top.
Russell’s stiffest challenge came from his FMF/KTM Factory Racing teammate, Charlie Mullins, was back in action after missing last season due to a wrist injury. Mullins was in fine form as he snatched the $125 holeshot bonus supplied by All Balls Racing and tried to get away from the field early. Mullins immediately pulled a 20-second lead within the first three minutes of the race.
Russell got off to a slow start and found himself near the back of the pack, but he was able to get clear of the early battling behind Mullins to move into second place, and he began to cut into Mullins’ lead. Russell caught up with Mullins three miles into the second lap, and the two KTM teammates then ran side by side before Russell was able to make a pass for the lead in an open field. Mullins was soon overrun by JCR Honda’s Chris Bach and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing/Bel-Ray’s Josh Strang as well. Mullins would drop out of the race after hitting a hole and aggravating his wrist again.
Bach then caught Russell and took over the lead on lap three while Strang ran right with them. It was Bach, Russell and Strang fighting for the lead on the third lap. Russell hounded Bach for a lap before repassing the Honda rider and pulling away to earn his first win of 2016 by over one minute.
“The season started off rough, but I’m glad to be back on the podium,” Russell said. “The championship chase still isn’t over and I’ve still got my eyes on it.”
Strang also got by Bach on the last lap to grab second place. Although his 2016 GNCC win streak came to an end, Strang now has two wins and a runner-up finish through the first three rounds, and he retains the series points lead, although Russell is now within nine points of him.
“I’m not happy with a second place after getting the first two wins,” Strang said. “I struggled in the first half of the race, and when I finally put it all together I was too far back. I’ll take it for this round, but my plan is to be back in the middle of the box at Big Buck [GNCC].”
Bach said it was awesome to get his first podium of the season.
“I had a decent start and was able to even lead a little bit of the race,” he said. “I’ve been dealing with issues from my crash in Florida, but I’m taking it race by race and we’re finally back where we should be.”
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing/Bel-Ray’s Ryan Sipes collected a season-best fourth-place finish, ahead of N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha’s Daniel Milner.
Unlike Strang, JCR Honda’s Trevor Bollinger remained perfect by collecting his third win in a row in the XC2 Pro Lites class. Bollinger, who hails from Morganton, crashed during the race, but he was able to recover and retake the lead. Coastal Racing/Husqvarna-backed Layne Michael finished second, ahead of his teammate Craig Delong.
“It feels great to get a win at my hometown race especially after the race I had,” Bollinger said. “I just couldn’t get a clean lap in the whole race, but it feels good to come out with another win and keep fighting for the championship.”
The 2016 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series is off next weekend before resuming with round four, the VP Racing Fuels Big Buck GNCC in Union, South Carolina, April 16-17.
2016 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series
FMF Steele Creek GNCC
Steele Creek Campground
Morganton, North Carolina
Results: April 3, 2016 (Round 3 of 13)
XC1 Pro
1. Kailub Russell-KTM
2. Josh Strang-Hus
3. Chris Bach-Hon
4. Ryan Sipes-Hus
5. Daniel Milner-Yam
6. Jordan Ashburn-KTM
7. Grant Baylor-Yam
8. Cory Buttrick-KTM
9. Steward Baylor Jr.-KTM
10. Ricky Russell-Suz
2016 AMSOIL GNCC Overall National Championship Standings (after 3 of 13 rounds)*
1. Josh Strang-85/2 wins
2. Kailub Russell-76/1 win
3. Daniel Milner-51
4. Trevor Bollinger-49
5. Ryan Sipes-48
6. Chris Bach-46
7. Steward Baylor Jr.-37
8. Grant Baylor-35
9. Craig Delong-26
10. Jesse Groemm-25
*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2016 National Champion.
XC2
1. Trevor Bollinger-Hon
2. Layne Michael-Hus
3. Craig Delong-Hus
4. Benjamin Kelley-KTM
5. Trevor Barrett-Hus
6. Austin Lee-Yam
7. Jesse Groemm-Bet
8. Joshua Toth-KTM
9. Zack Hayes-KTM
10. Samuel Evans-Yam
2016 AMSOIL GNCC XC2 Class Standings (after 3 of 13 rounds)
1. Trevor Bollinger-90/3 wins
2. Craig Delong-58
3. Jesse Groemm-57
4. Tegan Temple-50
5. Benjamin Kelley-47
6. Layne Michael-47
7. Trevor Barrett-40
8. Zack Hayes-39
9. Austin Lee-34
10. Samuel Evans-31
Your Privacy Choices