VOLUME 57 ISSUE 43 OCTOBER 27, 2020 P31
Strang Tops Ironman GNCC
J
osh Strang (Babbitt's Online/
Monster Energy/Team Green
Kawasaki) came out on top of
a ferocious final-lap battle with
AmPro Yamaha's Steward Bay-
lor to win the Ironman GNCC in
Crawfordsville, Indiana, October
25. The win was Strang's sec-
ond of the year and it reinforced
his second-place standing in
the series points with one round
remaining. Kailub Russell (FMF/
KTM) wrapped up the title at the
previous round in West Virginia.
Over 2400 riders competed
in this year's Ironman, while right
at 12,000 spectators braved the
cold on an overcast but great day
for racing.
Strang led the entire 13.5-
mile final lap, and Baylor was all
over Strang's rear tire until the
seven-mile mark, when the South
Carolina rider didn't make it up
Ironman Hill and had to make a
second run. The mistake gave
Strang all the breathing room he
needed, and the Aussie eventual-
ly crossed the finish line with 4.5
seconds to spare over Baylor.
"Stew and I were going for it,"
said Strang. "I figured he was
going to push hard to try and get
past me, but I felt like I was in
control, so I think that's what got
me the win today. I didn't make
any mistakes, and he made that
mistake on the last lap, and I was
able to just kind of ride it in a little
easier."
Baylor, who came into the Indi-
ana race having won the previous
three rounds, led most of the way
after jumping out front early, and
controlled the pace for the first
half of the race, but lappers held
him up and Strang was able to
get past during a pit stop.
"It was pretty sketchy out there
with the traffic and Josh was able
to get close enough to pass me
in the pits and from there he con-
trolled the race," said Baylor. "I
tried to make a run at him. I was
bumping off his back tire, giving it
everything I had, but he was just
able to edge me out there in the
Josh Strang scored
a hard-fought win at
the Ironman GNCC in
Indiana. PHOTOS: KEN HILL
