Kelley Wins Ironman GNCC Finale
T
he Amsoil Grand National
Cross Country Series capped
off its 2019 season with its annual
visit to Indiana for the Ironman
GNCC in Crawfordsville, Indiana,
October 27, where Ben Kelley
claimed the second win in his
young XC1 career.
Though two of the series
front-runners, Kailub Russell and
Thad Duvall, were missing from
the race due to injuries, the 2019
version of the event was not lack-
ing in suspense and excitement,
as intense thundershowers on
Saturday soaked the Indiana soil,
which was then rutted up by a
day's worth of quad racing. The
sun was out for Sunday's event,
but the damage was done and
the first few laps of the afternoon
bike race saw riders gambling
on a variety of lines in an effort
to dodge the deep holes lurking
under the many pools of water.
Jordan Ashburn (Babbitts Mon-
ster Energy Kawasaki Off-Road
Racing) grabbed the holeshot
to start the three-hour afternoon
race, and was still leading at the
end of the first lap, with Ricky
Russell (Am Pro Yamaha) and Kel-
ley in hot pursuit.
Kelley moved into the lead on
lap two and never faltered, as the
FMF/KTM rider managed to stay
out of trouble for the remainder of
the race, taking the win by 1:25
minutes ahead of Trevor Bollinger
(Rockstar Energy Husqvarna).
Kelley finished the year with
12 wins in 13 races, counting his
10-straight wins in the XC2 division.
"I was excited because I had
a really good race here last year
and the conditions were really
similar," said Kelley. "I just was
looking forward to it and felt really
comfortable out there in the deep
ruts and stuff. I got into the lead
there maybe third lap or so and
had to manage it. That was a first
for me. I was able to handle it and
come away with another win, so
Ben Kelley capped
off the 2019 GNCC
Championship with
his second straight
win. PHOTOS: KEN HILL
IN
THE
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