Defending GNCC Champion Barry Hawk, on the Am-Pro Yamaha, won the first-ever Mountaineer GNCC in West Virginia, yesterday, in Summersville, West Virginia.
“It’s never easy, but I had a good day out there today,” said Hawk, who is making his comeback following an injury earlier in the year. “After my injury, I think I just got even more fired up. Now all I think about is my motorcycle. As bad as I wanted it before, I want it even more now. I want to prove to everyone that last year was for real.”
Hawk pulled away from FMF Suzuki’s Rodney Smith and upstart Australian talent Glenn Kearny at the halfway mark and went on to take the win by over a minute. After battling with Hawk early, Smith held on for second after a wild last lap, and thanks to the sub-par seventh-place finish by his series rival Jason Raines, he has opened up a lead in the series standings. Just two races now stand between Smith and a record-tying fifth GNCC title.
“I was waiting for Jason to catch up, but eventually I just started racing my own race,” Smith said. “Barry rode great today and I just wanted to be smart and take second. Anything can happen in two races.”
Kearny held on for third after late pressure by Throttlehead.com Kawasaki’s Josh McLevy and Parts Unlimited/Moose Honda’s Scott Summers. McLevy managed to pass Kearny on the last lap, but one mistake stopped him from taking his first career podium.
Smith now holds a 25-point lead over Raines with two rounds to go.
Summers finish fifth with FMF Suzuki veteran Fred Andrews returning from a bought with shingles to take sixth. Raines was seventh ahead Steve Hatch and Chuck Woodford on Kawasakis, and the top amateur on the day, Ohio-based KTM pilot Charlie Mullins.
The next round of the GNCC Series comes up in two weeks at Power Line Park in St. Clairsville, Ohio.
