Quick Fill #30: This week in GNCC Racing

Welcome to Quick Fill. It's been a busy month for everyone, although there's no GNCC Racing actually taking place. It seems like September is never going to come, but when it does - we're all in for a treat because there are still five rounds to go at that point and with the close contention for championships in most classes, I think the second half of the season could be even more exciting than the first.

It was cool to catch up with the GNCC Racers down at the Loretta Lynn's Amateur Motocross National last week. We're so proud of our cross-country racers - they killed it in a pool full of amateur racers who literally dedicate their lives to racing moto. So kudos to you all! Here's a rundown of their finishes all week: Shelby Rolen: 11-19-10 for 11^th OA in Women's, Cody Gragg: 28-9-12 for 12^th OA in 250B Stock and 5-1-6 for 2^nd OA in College B/C, Aaron Plessinger: 5-6-11 for 5^th OA in Schoolboy 1 and 12-27-DNF for 28^th OA in Schoolboy 2, Jedediah Haines: 6-6-18 for 11^th OA in Junior 25+.

This weekend, the ATV Motocross circuit hits the Loretta Lynn's Ranch for their season finale. There's only a ten-point margin separating the leaders of the pro class so it should be an exciting end to a stellar season of ATV racing. We expect to see the Ballance Racing crew down here to support their ATVMX racers and a few other GNCC faces should pop up along the weekend.

Speaking of riders in other circuits, FMF Makita Suzuki's Josh Strang will be competing in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Series this weekend, trying his hand in the 450 class at Unadilla. Strang has been working hard over the break, not only to prepare for this weekend, but also to stay on top of his game for his next trip to Unadilla - which is for the GNCC. Like many of the other XC1 riders, Strang does a good portion of his training on a moto track so this weekend's race should be just another stroll in the park for the California boy.

On the ATV side of the world, it seems like those boys are busier than ever - keeping active on the racing scene and getting in plenty of practice in between. Chris Borich (who hasn't been as active on Twitter lately, hmmmm) has been training like a mad man, according to Johnny Gallagher - who seems to be taking part in a "Borich Boot Camp" every other week. It's pretty cool to see the camaraderie between the ATV guys, they're always training and riding together and even hanging out in their off time. I even think that saying "friends off the track and enemies on the track" is mute, because Walker Fowler once told me he was struggling during a race this year and Jeff Pickens actually stopped and helped him out, definitely something you don't see very often - all the more reason to believe that GNCC Racing truly is a one-of-a-kind sport.

To stay up-to-date with the ISDE, take a look at their Official Facebook Page. They are doing an awesome job of keeping everyone tuned in with the action in Finland, so check it out HERE!

I'll pass it along to Shan "Is it September yet?" Moore.

Thanks, Jen. Right now I'm on my way to Unadilla to catch the Pro Motocross race on Saturday. To save on expenses I'm flying to Ohio and meeting up with fellow photographer Jeff Kardas so we can drive to the track. It's a 10-hour drive from Columbus and I'm sure we'll hit a few breweries along the way, but we'll be ready for work come Saturday morning, for sure.

Josh Strang texted me and said he'll be competing at Unadilla, so that makes this race a little more interesting. I know that Josh has been working hard all summer and it'll be fun to see how he stacks up with the guys who ride the series full time. I really think he's got a top 20 in him.

As far as the top spot goes, I've got my money on Dungey, although I don't think it'll be easy. Dungey came out on top of a great race last year against Clement DeSalle, although Villopoto and Reed weren't there. But the Suzuki rider is coming into the race with a lot of momentum and I think that carries a lot of weight. I guess we'll see on Saturday. By the way, I just saw where Justin Barcia will be riding the 450 class this weekend, so that will make it fun. He's taking the spot of the injured Trey Canard.

The ISDE is going on this week as well and in case you haven't been keeping up, it looks like Kurt Caselli is tops among the Americans and leading the E2 class (this was after Wednesday's competition). Part-time GNCC racer Russell Bobbitt is sitting seventh overall in E2 after three days, while Cory Buttrick is 14^th. Meanwhile, Nate Kanney sits seventh in E3. Unfortunately, Mandi Mastin houred out (along with the rest of the U.S. Women's team) after she encountered numerous mechanical problems. It sounds like it's been a pretty tough event with a lot of intermittent rain, which has slickened the rocky circuit and exposed a lot of roots. The U.S. Trophy Team sits third overall, with the Junior Trophy Team in fourth.

That's it for us this week. Hot Rodney has his hands full at the ATVMX at Loretta's so you can catch him here next week with plenty of insight on GNCC action.