With the remaining two rounds of the 2009 Can-Am GNCC Series left, the championship title is still up in the air with second place rider Josh Strang still having a mathematical chance of winning the title away from current leader, Paul Whibley.
FMF Makita Suzuki's Josh Strang will have to work hard if he is to take the title away from current leader, Paul Whibley.
If FMF Makita
Suzuki rider, Strang, tops the podium in the final two rounds and GEICO/JG Racing/Monster Energy
Kawasaki’s Whibley finishes in seventh or worse, then Strang can overcome the current 32 point gap and take the title.
But Whibley has had a stellar year so far, missing the podium on only two occasions due to mechanical issues and he has shown himself to be a consistent rider, whereas Strang admits to making a few costly mistakes over the course of the year.
"It's hard feeling like I'm the faster rider out there, but I keep making little mistakes here and there," Strang said. "Second place is good but not where I need to be."
And while Whibley may wrap up the title if he wins this weekend, there could still be some surprise finishes for the rest of the board in this season. Strang’s teammate, Charlie Mullins, sits a mere six points behind Strang in the battle for second and Mullins, while only finishing first once this season, has proven to be the more consistent rider of the two, finishing fourth or better in each race.
Behind Mullins and divided by only six points are; GEICO/JG Racing Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jimmy Jarret and Nathan Kanney battling for fourth and fifth, and Barry Hawk and Kurt Caselli duking it out for sixth and seventh.
Rounding out the top-ten are Husqvarna’s Glenn Kearney, Kawasaki rider Kenneth Gilbert, and
Husaberg’s Jesse Robinson, who were all tied in the points race last week.
XC2:
Shock Doctor/KTM's Kailub Russell
(right), will battle again this weekend with Cory Buttrick (
middle), and Jason Thomas
(left) who have all shared the podium in the past.
Shock Doctor/
KTM’s Kailub Russell has locked down the title in the XC2 class but will return to race this weekend with teammate, Cory Buttrick, looking for a win. Monster Energy/FAR
Yamaha’s Jason Thomas and GEICO/JG Racing Kawasaki’s Scott Watkins will also be on hand to challenge Russell.
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., beginner riders race at 10 a.m., and the top amateurs and the pros race at 1 p.m.
The track is located at Exit 213 off Ohio I-70. Take Route 331 N. just a few yards and make a right onto Hammond Rd for approximately 1 mile. Then left at Lee Road for another one-half mile. Track is on the right. Track is roughly 15 miles west of Wheeling, WV.
For more information, check out the official series website at
www.GNCCRacing.com or call 304-284-0084.
