The 2016 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) continued on the weekend, May 1, with the Inaugural CST Tires Camp Coker Bullet GNCC at Moree’s Hunting Preserve.

The new venue located in Society Hill, South Carolina was an instant hit among racers and fans, but the lighting storm also made quite the impression forcing the race being cut short to two hours to accommodate the deteriorating track that quickly became impassable with the substantial amount of rain that occurred prior to the start.

The GNCC Track Crew worked diligently to completely re-route the race track for the 1 p.m. pro race, and once the checkered flag flew on the grueling six-lap race it was FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell who landed on the middle of the box and took home the inaugural win.

Once the green flag dropped, it was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing/Bel-Ray’s Josh Strang who jumped out to the early lead claiming the $250 All Balls Racing Holeshot Award. With Russell stuck in a mid-pack position, Strang looked to capitalize on the early lead. However, Russell knew that he had to quickly pass the rest of the field while they were still grouped together on the first lap. The three-time champion was able to adjust to the changing track conditions and make his way to the lead once

he checked into timing and scoring for the first time.

“I had a good jump off the line but locked bars with Strang and that pushed me wide in the start,” said Russell. “I knew I had to get around the guys in front of me because

I could tell I was running out of roll-offs. The guys were zig zagging through the track and I just pinned it and went straight through everything. It was surreal how fast
I got around them and pulled a lead. I was expecting the worst going out there but the track wasn’t that bad.”

Meanwhile, Strang fell to the back of the pack after getting stuck in a mud hole, which allowed for JCR Honda/Lucas Oil/Maxxis/FLY Racing’s Chris Bach to move into the second place position. There was a battle brewing behind Bach, where Westfield Powersports KTM Presented by Moose Racing’s Jordan Ashburn and Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4/FAR Racing Husqvarna’s Thad Duvall were pushing themselves and quickly catching the leader.

Duvall would continue pushing Ashburn through the remainder of the race and occasionally be right beside him battling wheel-to-wheel. Once the finish line was in sight it was an all-out race between Ashburn and Duvall, creating some of the best racing thus far in the season. While it was anyone’s game for the second podium position, Ashburn was able to look far enough ahead and pick the right lines to hold on to the spot. Duvall would cross the line just two seconds behind Ashburn in third.

Bach held on to fourth, with SRT/KTM/Kenda Tires-backed Steward Baylor Jr. putting in an impressive ride for fifth overall. Strang was able to make his way back up to sixth and finished tenth overall.

XC1 Pro Event Results:

1. Kailub Russell (KTM)
2. Jordan Ashburn (KTM)
3. Thad Duvall (HSQ)
4. Chris Bach (HON)
5. Steward Baylor Jr. (KTM)
6. Josh Strang (HSQ)
7. Daniel Milner (YAM)
8. Ricky Russell (SUZ)
9. Chris Douglas (SUZ)
10. Cory Buttrick (KTM)

Overall National Championship Standings:

1. Kailub Russell (123)
2. Josh Strang (117)
3. Chris Bach (89)
4. Daniel Milner (69)
5. Jordan Ashburn (66)
6. Ryan Sipes (66)
7. Steward Baylor Jr. (62)
8. Trevor Bollinger (62)
9. Craig Delong (51)
10. Grant Baylor (50)

XC2 Pro Lites Event Results:

1. Layne Michael (HSQ)
2. Nick Davis (YAM)
3. Craig Delong (HSQ)
4. Benjamin Kelley (KTM)
5. Vance Francis (HON)
6. Tegan Temple (BET)
7. Samuel Evans (YAM)
8. Joshua Toth (KTM)
9. Michael McGinnis (KTM)
10. Austin Lee (YAM)

XC2 Pro Lites Series Standings:

1. Trevor Bollinger (123)
2. Craig Delong (104)
3. Jesse Groemm (85)
4. Layne Michael (82)
5. Tegan Temple (81)
6. Benjamin Kelley (65)
7. Austin Lee (63)
8. Trevor Barrett (59)
9. Samuel Evans (56)
10. Joshua Toth (53)