The Kioti Armstrong Truck and Tractor American Woods Racing Championship Series (AWRCS), presented by Lojaks Cycle Sales, an AMA East Regional Championship, headed to Templeton, Pennsylvania, September 26-27, for the DBY Motorsports and K2 Investing LLC Ben Franklin Range round. Craig DeLong claimed the Adult Bike overall win after a close five-lap battle at the front of the field.
Story by Kate Stiller | Photos by Cammi Kunselman
As the Adult Bike race got underway, Keihin Rupp and DeLong quickly battled at the front of the XC-Pro field, with just one second separating them after the opening lap. XC-Pro Amateur rider Ruger Morgan also came out strong, with his time adjustment placing him at the top of the overall standings early in the race.
Cole Whitmer and Easton Uplinger rounded out the top five overall after the opening lap.
Rupp continued to push at the front of the field and took the overall lead on the second lap. Meanwhile, another XC-Pro Amateur rider entered the overall conversation as Easton Uplinger used his adjusted time to move into second overall. DeLong stayed close to Rupp as the two continued their fight for the physical lead.
By the third lap, DeLong had made his move and taken over the lead from Rupp.
Whitmer also worked his way into the third overall spot as the race began to take shape for the final two laps. During the final two laps, DeLong maintained his advantage, but Rupp remained within striking distance and continued to apply pressure through the closing stages of the race.
DeLong held off Rupp through the checkered flag to take home the Adult Bike overall win. Rupp finished just seven seconds back in second, while Whitmer completed the overall podium in third. Uplinger finished fourth overall and earned the XC-Pro Amateur class win, with Morgan following in fifth overall and second in XC-Pro Amateur.
In the Women’s class, Madison Harmon got out front early and held the lead through the first two laps before Sahara Robinson moved into the top spot on lap three. Harmon regained the lead on the final lap and earned the class win, with Robinson finishing second and Giada Peluso rounding out the podium in third.
After several strong rides that put him near the top of the Youth Bike overall standings throughout the season, Ty Behrendt finally broke through to earn his first Youth Bike overall win at Ben Franklin Range. The YB-Supermini B rider worked his way to the top of the adjusted overall standings on lap four and held the spot through the checkered flag to bring home the win. Derek Deal finished second overall and earned the YB-Supermini A class win, while Robinson rounded out the overall podium in third. Gatlin Riddle followed in fourth overall, with Landon Booth rounding out the top five.
In the PeeWee Bike race, Josh Erny led the race from start to finish to earn the overall and PWB-Mini A class win. Micah Oaks finished second overall and took the PWB-2 Stroke win, followed by Baron Evkovich in third. Audrey Petrilla and Matthew Jewell rounded out the top five.
With Ben Franklin Range in the books, just one round remains in the 2026 AWRCS season. The series heads to Rock Run in Patton, Pennsylvania, for the season finale, where one final day of racing will decide the 2026 AWRCS Championships.CN
2026 American Woods Racing Round 10 Results
OVERALL (Top 10)
- Craig DeLong (Hus) 1:50:31
- Keihin Rupp (Kaw) 1:50:38
- Cole Whitmer (GG) 1:53:16
- Easton Uplinger (Bet) 1:55:22
- Ruger Morgan (Kaw) 1:56:48
- Jay Lipscomb (Hon) 1:57:18
- Shawn Myers Jr (Yam) 1:58:07
- Sawyer Carratura (KTM) 1:59:29
- Seth Miller (Yam) 2:00:03
- Spencer Knight (Hon) 2:00:48
