Racing

Kailub Russell Comes Out On Top At The X-Factor Whitetails GNCC

Five wins in six races for the KTM ace

May 16, 2018

FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell continues his run of wins in the Grand National Cross Country Series after adding his fifth win in six races at the X-Factor Whitetails race in Peru, Indiana. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thad Duvall, the only other rider to garner a win in 2018, finished a close second, while Tely Energy Racing KTM’s Grant Baylor grabbed his first podium of the season on third. Here’s a look at this past weekend’s race.

Tely Energy Racing’s Steward Baylor (#514) grabbed the XC1 holeshot to kick off the XC1 race, followed by AmPro Yamaha’s Ricky Russell (212) and FMF KTM’s Kailub Russell (1).Darrin Chapman

After grabbing the holeshot at the start of the race, Steward Baylor took a strong early lead and appeared to be heading to his first win of the season. However, a broken footpeg at the end of the first hour dropped the South Carolinian back to fourth for the day.Darrin Chapman

After battling with Thad Duvall during the final hour of the race, Kailub Russell crossed the finish line with six seconds to spare over the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider. With the win, Russell extended his lead in the championship standings to 24 points.Darrin Chapman

After getting off to a slow start, Grant Baylor came from the rear of the pack to finish third overall. Remarkably, the Tely Energy KTM rider was just two weeks removed from surgery to repair a broken bone in his hand.Darrin Chapman

Tayla Jones claimed her fifth win of the series in Indiana. The KR4 Husqvarna rider now holds a 32-point lead over Becca Sheets in the division.Darrin Chapman

Duvall shows off for the fans before the start of the race. Duvall made a pass for the lead in the final hour when Russell bobbled, but Russell retaliated a few turns later and retook the lead.Darrin Chapman

Trevor Bollinger has been a consistent top-five performer in 2018. The JCR Honda rider sits fourth overall in the series standings.Darrin Chapman

FMF KTM Factory Racing's Josh Toth would take his third win of the season, but not without some intense battles with FMF KTM’s Ben Kelley and Coastal Racing Husqvarna’s Craig DeLong throughout the three-hour race.Darrin Chapman

Austin Lee finished fourth in the XC Pro 2 class and 11th overall.Darrin Chapman

Russell leads Duvall to the finish on the final lap of the three-hour, seven-lap race.Darrin Chapman

2018 X-Factor Whitetails GNCC Overall Results

Position	Rider	Brand
1	Kailub Russell	KTM
2	Thad Duvall	Husqvarna
3	Grant Baylor	KTM
4	Steward Baylor	KTM
5	Trevor Bollinger	Honda
6	Josh Strang	Husqvarna
7	Ricky Russell	Yamaha
8	Josh Toth	KTM
9	Ben Kelley	KTM
10	Craig Delong	Husqvarna

2018 GNCC Racing Point Standings

Position	Rider	Brand	Points
1	Kailub Russell	KTM	175
2	Thad Duvall	Husqvarna	151
3	Steward Baylor	KTM	117
4	Trevor Bollinger	Honda	106
5	Ben Kelley	KTM	91
6	Josh Strang	Husqvarna	86
7	Josh Toth	KTM	74
8	Ricky Russell	Yamaha	65
9	Pascal Rauchenecker	Husqvarna	53
10	Layne Michael	Husqvarna	52