Shan Moore | April 29, 2024
FMF/KTM Factory rider Johnny Girroir led every lap except the one that mattered at Hoosier GNCC in Crawfordsville, Indiana, March 27-28, as Red Bear Rocky Mountain Kawasaki’s Steward Baylor passed Girroir on the final lap of the race to claim his second win in a row, charging from the back and using a smart pit strategy to do so. In fact, the extremely rough, seven-lap race came down to pit strategy and avoiding pit snafus.
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To start the race, Girroir grabbed the holeshot, and except for a couple of turns where Beta USA’s Evan Smith took the lead, Girroir pulled out to as much as a 15-second lead ahead of Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Lyndon Snodgrass and Coastal Racing GasGas’ Jordan Ashburn. Baylor was fifth and, on a run, passing where the rutted track would allow. At one point, Girroir held a 22-second lead. It was obvious that Girroir was putting on a sprint while Baylor got up to speed.
Steward Baylor made up some ground in the GNCC Championship after winning in Crawfordsville. Photos: Mack Faint
On lap two, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Craig DeLong and Phoenix Honda Racing’s Mike Witkowski moved into the battle for second as Girroir sped away. Also on lap two, all of the Pro riders pitted for fuel, except for Baylor, who held an ace up his sleeve, deciding to pit on lap three, moving him into second behind Girroir. Although he still had to pit later, with the clean air in front of him, he hoped to gain ground on Girroir.
Girroir led every lap but the last and was later docked for fueling in front of the wrong pits.
At the halfway point, it was all Girroir, Baylor and DeLong. Baylor and DeLong went at it for a few laps, their battle pushing them up to within 10 seconds of Girroir. Meanwhile, Witkowski and Ashburn had their own battle going for fourth.
Baylor waited to pit and struck on the final lap.
Baylor came in for a splash-n-go on the final lap, allowing DeLong to pass him, but Baylor put on a sprint that carried him past DeLong and up to within six seconds of Girroir. Girroir knew Baylor was coming and with just a few miles to go to the finish, Girroir laid the bike over, allowing Baylor to take the win, with Girroir apparently in second. Although after the race, Girroir was docked one position for fueling in front of the wrong pits (the Yamaha pits). Girroir’s mistake moved DeLong into second.
Craig DeLong was second overall after Girroir’s penalty.
“Man, I’m beat. That was rough,” said Baylor. “I had a good team and a great pit strategy, and I’m pumped on it.”
“I had a good start going into the woods, but I tightened up a little, and it took me a couple of laps to loosen up,” said DeLong. “The guys really killed it in the pit, and I gained several passes, and I was able to get up into second. Me and Stew hooked up and we sprinted for two laps or so. With about two laps to go, Stew poured it on, and I had nothing on him, so I just put it in cruise.”
XC1 Podium.
The drop from second to third made a nine-point swing in point standings for Girroir, although he still leads the standings. After six rounds, Girroir leads by 10 points over Baylor.
XC2 Start.
Ashburn got off to a bad start and was forced to work his way up. At one point early in the race, the Husqvarna rider ran in second behind Girroir.
“I chased Johnny for a while, but after we pitted, those guys got away from me, and I was never able to reel them in,” said Ashburn.
Angus Riordan won the XC2 250 Pro division and was sixth overall.
Phoenix Honda’s Mike Witkowski, in his first year in the XC1 Pro division, claimed his second fifth-place finish in a row. Witkowski looks comfortable on the big bike.
Angus Riordan is another rider that has been coming on strong. In Indiana, the FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers rider won the XC2 250 Pro division and was sixth overall.
Grant Davis also landed on the podium.
“It was a long and rough race,” said Riordan. “Up until the second pit stop, it was me, Grant [David] and Liam [Draper], and it seemed like no one wanted to lead. I would get out front, make a mistake and move backward. But after that last pit stop, I was able to feel confident again and I just moved to the front and held on.”
XC2 Podium.
Husqvarna-mounted Jason Tino turned in a superb ride to win the 250A division and finish ninth overall. Factory Racing Team Landers’ Grant Davis was eighth overall and second in the XC-250 Pro division. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Racing’s Trevor Bollinger in 10th, while Beta USA’s Evan Smith in 10th.
Rachael Archer won the WXC division.
Dakoda Devore (KTM) claimed his second win in a row in the FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class as he inches closer to point leader Jhak Walker (Beta), who was third on the day. Second place went to Dustin Simpson (Yamaha).
Red Bear Rocky Mountain Kawasaki’s Rachael Archer claimed another win in the Women’s Pro division, padding her lead in the standings over GasGas rider Shelby Turner of Canada. Over and Out Sherco’s Rachel Gutish was third.
OVERALL RESULTS
- Steward Baylor (Kaw)
- Craig DeLong (Hus)
- Johnny Girroir (KTM)
- Jordan Ashburn (GG)
- Mike Witkowski (Hon)
- Angus Riordan (KTM)
- Grant Davis (KTM)
- Jason Tino (Hus)
- Trevor Bollinger (Hus)
- Evan Smith (Hus)
