VOLUME 58 ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 14, 2021 P107
of knew that there was a good
chance we could get the bike
running, because it happened
to Josh Toth at the enduro not
too long ago," says Kelley. "He
submerged his bike and he got
it started. So, I'm like, 'all right,
if he did it, I can do it.' There
were times where I almost gave
up. We were working on it for
11 minutes straight and it feels
like an eternity out there. Guys
are just passing you. It was
just wild. Then even once we
finally got the bike going and I
went through the finish line and
then stopped to get my air filter
changed again and the guys are
like, 'Stew is only 30 seconds
behind you.' So,
I'm like, what are
the chances we
both have problems in about the
same time? Just crazy."
Kelley was able to work his
way up into ninth overall by the
end of the race, while Baylor
ultimately had to be towed to the
pits, sealing the deal for Kelley.
"It was stressful; just crazy,"
said Kelley. "Honestly I've never
raced anything this crazy. None
of us had any idea where we
were going. We were all just
swerving and weaving, and there
was water everywhere. With all
the talk and everything, I wanted
to win this last race just to put
the nail in the coffin and come
out on top. Honestly, I'm lucky
to finish. Just happy to finish and
come away champion."
While the Ironman had little
to do to settle the matter, con-
sistency was the key to Kel-
ley's run to the championship,
with seven podium finishes in
addition to two victories, and
his well-rounded abilities were
evident by his wins in Florida
and at Snowshoe, which are two
events at the opposite ends of
the spectrum, with Florida being
a whoop-filled, all-out sandy
affair, while Snowshoe is rocky
and perhaps the most technical
course on the circuit.
"In Connecticut we have
sand pits," says Kelley. "It's
kind of weird. The majority of
Kelley was consistent all
season but really picked up
the pace at the end.
The deciding final
round was crazy.
Torrential rain and
lots of mud played a
factor, but that's all
part of GNCC racing.
In the end, Kelley
pulled through.
