"It was a nice shot in the arm," said team co-owner JT Bennett. " We ended up with some pretty solid results all around, too. It looked like everyone was having fun. I could see a little smile on everyone's faces as they were coming by. It was just good to see a solid finish out of everyone."
The Ohio track was fast and flowing with a variety of challenging terrain mixed in, as well as the notorious mud hole that's standard with the Power Line event. Ashley Crouch started things off right in the Womens class, taking another second place in that supremely talented class- and kept her edge in the point standings, sitting in second with LeeAnn Bange, who finished third in today's race, just five points behind. Crouch's start grabbed her a spot at the top of the pack where she and Samantha Steiner duked it out until the final lap when Steiner's bike had mechanical issues. Crouch pulled ahead to finish second behind Defending Champion, KTM's Maria Forsberg.
"I was excited to get another second," Crouch said. " I didn't crash at all today, and didn't really get stuck. I just rode really well today and felt really good. LeeAnn and I are neck and neck again in the points like every other year, but it makes it pretty exciting."
In the XC1 class, Jimmy Jarrett saw one of his best finishes of a season marked with disappointment. While Jarrett had a slow start- he was quick to make his way through the ranks to 8th to battle with Nate Kanney, Jesse Robinson and Mike Lafferty. He put his head down to charge ahead to sixth for the finish.
"Today wasn't too bad," Jarrett said. "The track was really fun and had a little bit of everything in it. Lots of people showed up too, so it was just a really fun today. I'm pretty satisfied with my race today considering how the season has gone."
Scott Watkins took his inaugural run in the XC1 ranks and grabbed a top 10 finish despite struggling with bike set up for most of the day.
"I hadn't done anything different since 2003 and I really wanted to try the XC1 class," he said. "I've always enjoyed riding the 450 but I didn't have it set up right. I crashed a bunch of times, and today was pretty aggravating. But I have four weekends in a row on the 450 to get set up ready before the next GNCC. But I think I'm going to really like the XC1 class."
Rory Mead spent his first XC2 race battling with Andrew DeLong, Jason Thomas and Morgan Moss for most of the day. Mead started the race in 4th and switched in and out position with his competitors before regaining fourth for the finish.
"I really enjoyed being in XC2 today," Mead said. "It was so much more fun racing in that class because of the competition. The track was pretty good too and conditions were perfect. The bike was awesome. Today was a lot of fun."
"I don't think we could have asked for better track conditions," Bennett said. "It was a nice change today. The terrain for the guys seemed like it worked out really well and it was one of the factors that kept those guys smiling. It kept everyone happy and it showed in the results."
Next up for the JG Off Road team is the October 16th Smith Goggles OMA in Medora, Indiana.
Jarrett and Watkins would like to thank team sponsors JG Off road, GEICO, American Honda, Kenda, Silkolene, EBC, Tsubaki, Ride PG, Rekluse, Moose, Cycra, Arai, FMF, G2, IMS, BRP, Renthal, Works Connection, Factory Connection, Smith Optics, and Sidi.
Watkins would like to thank his additional sponsors Parts Unlimited, and ProMoto Billet.
Jarrett would also like to thank individual sponsors No Toil, CV4, and Outerwears.
Crouch would like to thank sponsors JG Offroad, GEICO, American Honda, Kenda, Silkolene, EBC, Tsubaki, Ride PG, Rekluse, Moose, Cycra, Scott, Tucker Rocky, Ogio, PMP, Spruill Honda, and Factory Connection.
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