Checkpoint | 2020 High Point GNCC

June 16, 2020

PHOTOS | GNCC

Mark it another win for Kailub Russell. The FMF/KTM Factory Racing rider came out ahead for the fifth time this season and tacked even more points to his advantage over Josh Strang in the championship standings. Russell was the dominant rider during the day of racing as he led from the early moments of the race and finished 11-seconds ahead of second place. Russell’s farewell tour has been solid and there’d be no better way to put it to an end than with another title.

Josh Strang’s race did not start off great and by the exit of the first turn, the Babbitt’s Online/Monster Energy Kawasaki rider was near the back of the pack. Forced to push for all three hours, Strang sliced through the field and reached second place in the middle of the race but wasn’t able to reel in the leader in the remaining time. Strang’s second-place finish minimized the damage to his championship chase and the difference is now 28-points between the second-place rider and current leader Russell.

A third-place result after a shoulder injury is impressive, so good job to Ben Kelley for his ride at High Point. The FMF/KTM Factory Racing rider maintained the pace during the race and ended up with the last podium spot.

FactoryONE Sherco’s Grant Baylor, Phoenix Honda Racing’s Andrew DeLong, and AmPro Yamaha’s Layne Michael all had a rough day in Pennsylvania, with Baylor and DeLong both being saddled by mechanical issues and Michael with a dislocated shoulder.

It was a big day for Mike Witkowski as the AmPro Yamaha/St. Lawrence Radiology rider scored the XC2 250 Pro class win and took over the top spot of the standings. This was Witkowski’s second win of the season and it puts him four points ahead in the championship.

Rockstar Energy Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Craig DeLong was near the rear of the field at the start of the race, but with ample time to make up for the early mistake, he got around other riders and reached second place with a last-lap pass. DeLong’s runner-up finish puts him second in the points.

Liam Draper had a season-best day at High Point. The Tely Energy Racing/KTM rider got a good start and stayed in the lead group for the entire race for a third-place finish, his best result thus far in 2020.

XC1 Pro Event Results

1. Kailub Russell
2. Josh Strang
3. Benjamin Kelley
4. Jordan Ashburn
5. Joshua Toth
6. Dante Oliveira
7. Grant Baylor
8. Evan Earl
9. Andrew DeLong
10. Layne Michael

XC2 250 Pro Event Results

1. Michael Witkowski
2. Craig DeLong
3. Liam Draper
4. Cody Barnes
5. Ryder Lafferty
6. Jonathan Girroir
7. Thorn Devlin
8. Benjamin Nelko
9. Ben Parsons
10. Ryder LeBlond