Kailub Russell had little trouble winning Round 8, his fifth win of the year, of the 2014 Grand National Cross Country series held on Sunday at Sunday Creek Raceway in Millville, OH.
The GNCC defending champion not only benefitted from a "home track" since the raceway is on his grandpa's farm, he also didn't compete against his Factory FMF/KTM teammate Charlie Mullins, the only other rider to win a race this year and who led in points entering the race. Mullins is out at least two races after breaking his wrist in a practice accident.
Paul Whibley took the holeshot but a mistake not only cost him the lead but dumped him back to eighth-place. Russell took advantage, jumped out in front and never looked back. Whibley managed to finish fourth behind Jordan Ashburn and Josh Strang, who also capitalized on the missing Mullins by taking second for the first time this year. Strang is in third place with 153 points, well behind Mullins who has 180.
(L-R) Josh Strang, Kailub Russell, Jordan Ashburn - Photos: Ken Hill
Russell now has a 23 point edge over Mullins and can add significant distance from his teammate with a Round 9 win in two weeks. Round 10 isn't until September when it's widely believed Mullins can return to racing but then he'll only have four rounds to catch Russell.
Round 9 of the 2014 GNCC series is June 22 at the Snowshoe Mountain Resort in Snowshoe, WV. This is the last round before the extended summer break with Round 10 on September 7 at Unadilla Raceway in New Berlin, NY.
2014 GNCC Round 8 XC1 Pro Results
- Kailub Russell - MotoSport rider
- Josh Strang
- Jordan Ashburn
- Paul Whibley
- Steward Baylor
- Chris Bach
- Thad DuVall
- Andrew Delong
- Takeshi Koideka
- Jason Thomas
2014 GNCC Overall National Championship Standings
- Kailub Russell (203) MotoSport rider
- Charlie Mullins (180)
- Josh Strang (153)
- Jordan Ashburn (129)
- Grant Baylor (116)
- Paul Whibley (115)
- Ricky Russell (99)
- Andrew Delong (98)
- Steward Baylor (86)
- Chris Bach (79)
