Josh Strang capped off the 2015 GNCC Series with a win in Indiana. Photography by Ken Hill
Josh Strang and Ryan Sipes made it a Rockstar Energy Husqvarna 1-2 sweep at the Ironman GNCC in Crawfordsville, Indiana, November 1. Strang cruised to victory, while Sipes worked hard for his runner-up position in what was the final round of the Amsoil Grand National Cross Country Series.
N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha’s Jordan Ashburn rounded out the top three overall.
Ashburn collected the $250 All Ball XC1 Holeshot Award, but Strang soon took over and ran away with the win. Strang still had to keep an eye on Sipes, however, but multiple crashes kept Sipes from really turning up the pressure on Strang, who took the checkered flag with two minutes to spare.
Sipes held on to take second on his AirGroup/Rockstar Energy-back Husky, while Ashburn hung tough in third.
KTM rider Stewart Baylor Jr. finished fourth and JCR Honda’s Chris Bach rounded out the top five overall.
The XC2 Pro Lites race was a battle from beginning to end with DirtWise/Maxxis/KLIM’s Jason Thomas starting things off by nabbing the $100 Hot Cams XC2 Holeshot Award. In the end, however, it would be E&H Honda’s Trevor Bollinger standing in the middle of the box for the first time this season. He was followed by Thomas in second and Factory Beta’s Jesse Groemm in third.
Ironman GNCC
Crawfordsville, Indiana
November 1, 2015
XC1 Event Results:
1. Josh Strang (Hus)
2. Ryan Sipes (Hus)
3. Jordan Ashburn (YAM)
4. Steward Baylor Jr. (KTM)
5. Chris Bach (Hon)
6. Grant Baylor (Yam)
7. Cory Buttrick (Bet)
8. Takeshi Koikeda (Hon)
9. Chris Douglas (Suz)
10. Travis Coy (KTM)
*Overall National Championship Standings
1. Kailub Russell (283)
2. Grant Baylor (237)
3. Josh Strang (226)
4. Chris Bach (207)
5. Thad Duvall (200)
6. Ryan Sipes (195)
7. Jordan Ashburn (183)
8. Jason Thomas (160)
9. Ricky Russell (113)
10. Trevor Bollinger (112)
*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2015 National Champion.
XC2 Event Results:
1. Trevor Bollinger (Hon)
2. Jason Thomas (KTM)
3. Jesse Groemm (Bet)
4. Craig Delong (Hus)
5. Michael Witkowski (KTM)
6. Ricky Russell (Yam)
7. Trevor Barrett (Hus)
8. Samuel Evans (Yam)
9. Austin Lee (Yam)
10. Callan May (Yam)
XC2 Series Standings:
1. Jason Thomas (332)
2. Ricky Russell (230)
3. Trevor Bollinger (224)
4. Craig Delong (193)
5. Nick Davis (183)
6. Austin Lee (154)
7. Tegan Temple (146)
8. Layne Michael (142)
9. Jessee Groemm (129)
10. Callan May (127)
