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View Full Version : 2006 GNCC Series Round #5 - Loretta Lynn's - ATV Race Coverage



Admin
04-23-2006, 11:57 AM
Hurricane Mills - Unlike South Carolina, the weather forecast for Saturday’s race was accurate with sunny skies and temperatures in the 80’s, which provided a beautiful day for racing, but the damage was already done on the track as it was a sloppy mess from all the rain that fell Thursday night into Friday.

For many racers, the muddy conditions were a welcomed treat especially for those “Swamp Fox” racers that look forward to racing in the mud as they have the art of mud racing under control.

For the first time this year, there wasn’t a youth ATV race, which meant the opportunity for me to finally sleep in and get some extra rest to prepare for trudging through the mud and puddles for the morning and afternoon races.

Just like last year, the rain and high gas prices, kept ATV race attendance from eclipsing the 700 marks as it did in 2003, but there were still nearly 600 riders signed up to compete in one of the toughest GNCC track of the 2006 season. Once again, the track was nearly 14 miles long, which meant the morning race was going to be limited to just three laps. With the increased attendance this year, the long tracks help eliminate the lapped traffic that has created some problems for the leaders in earlier races this year, but it has forced the racers to re-strategize their pit routine to accommodate for only a three lap race compared to 4-5 laps races in the past.

With a 10 AM start set for the Morning Race, the riders headed to the Loretta Lynn’s Motocross starting area to line up for the start of the race, but to the disappointment of many of the racers, the motocross track would not be part of the 14 mile course this year as it would be mostly run across the road in the woods.

Angel Atwell with Jeffrey Pickens by her side was preparing for the start of the morning race as they both hoped for a repeat performance from Big Buck with the pair taking wins in each of their classes with Angel Atwell claiming the Morning Overall and Jeffrey Pickens winning the Pro Am Class and finishing 9th Overall, which was career best for them both.

Admin
04-23-2006, 12:18 PM
With the Women racers lined up on the front row followed by the Super Seniors, and then it would be the three Utility A/B Classes followed by the Sport A/B, C Class, and First Year Racers. With the change in the starting lineup for the Utility machines by only rotating them in amongst themselves between the 3rd and 5th rows, the muddy races provide the perfect opportunity for these horsepower monster to have a chance at the Podium, and Brock Parker is one rider that has the ability to make it on the Podium as he did in 2003 & 2002 at Kirton Ranch for the season opener both years, which was one of the sloppiest GNCC tracks with many racers almost completely burying their ATVs there both years in the Florida swamp.

Brock Parker hasn’t raced a whole season since 2002, after he wrecked at Rauch Creek in 2003, which sidelined him for most of the year, and he has only dabbled with racing the past two years, but with the support of the LTE Racing Team, he is back this year chasing after the Utility Modified Championship, and his presence has really made this class an exciting one to watch as defending Champion Scott Kilby is looking to defend his title on the Bombardier Outlaw machine and maintains the points lead as Brock Parker has suffered two DNFs this year, but with 4 throwaways, the championship is still up for grabs.

Admin
04-23-2006, 12:20 PM
With the Motocross tables tops and jumps covered in race fans to catch the exciting dead engine starts of the GNCC Series, the start of the Loretta Lynn’s GNCC was only moments away.

Admin
04-23-2006, 12:28 PM
Alba/ Yamaha Racing’s Traci Cecco grabbed the Holeshot on YFZ450 followed by Stephanie Parton on her Polaris Outlaw with Lexie Coulter and Ashlie Whaley right behind two of the fastest women on four wheels.

By the end of the first lap, the battle remained on for the Women’s Class win and the Overall as Cecco and Parton were only a 3 seconds apart while Ashlie Whaley took over the third spot over 2 minutes behind the pair battling for the lead.

Admin
04-23-2006, 12:38 PM
The huge utility machines provided plenty of excitement as they roosted around the first turn battling for the lead, which was very intense amongst Bombardier teammates Michael Swift and Mike Penland as they rubbed tires rounding the turn and down a short straight away before a series of S-Turns before heading into the woods leading the Utility Stock Class.

Michael Swift would edge out Penland and lead the way for the first lap of the race before being passed by defending champion, Ken Robey on his Kawasaki Prairie, but his race would end after only two laps, which gave allowed Sam Williams to claim his first win of the season followed by Michael Swift, Kevin Trantham, and Mike Penland

Admin
04-23-2006, 12:43 PM
In the Sport Class, Billy Good would grab the Holeshot on his Hybrid 250X/400EX/Cannondale machine, and by the end of the lap, he was working his way up into the top 5 overall, but his engine case would crack at the end of the second lap, which left him with a DNF.

It appears this will be the last race for Billy Good in the Sport Class as there are rumors he will be appearing on a Polaris Predator at the next round and will be racing in the Pro Am Class.

With Billy Good out of the race, Joey Margueria would go on to dominate the class with over a 40 minute lead on Scott Sleppy in second place at the checkered, and Marqueria's helmet wings would carrying him to a 16th Overall finish

Admin
04-23-2006, 12:49 PM
For those that didn’t start out front, especially in the C Classes, they were almost completely covered in mud by the second turn as they bounced off each other through the S-turns from sliding and partially from not even seeing where they were going from the blinding mud.

Admin
04-23-2006, 12:54 PM
Out Front, Traci Cecco never let up and finally was able to break free from Stephanie Parton in the second lap, and she would extend her lead to over 2 minutes by the checkered flag. With Parton finishing in second place followed by Angel Atwell over 3 minutes behind her in third place with leslie Coulter and Ashile Whaley rounding out the top 5 women finishers.

Admin
04-23-2006, 12:55 PM
John Gallagher would claim yet another win on his Polaris Outlaw and just missed the podium with his 4th Overall finish.

Admin
04-23-2006, 01:01 PM
Mike Penland might not have won this weekend, but his son, Hoyt Penland was on his game as he took his first win on the Kawasaki VForce and was the top overall Utility finisher with a 13th Overall finish while Brock Parker finished with adjusted time right behind him as he claimed his third win of the season in the Utility Modified Class over Scott Kilby.

Admin
04-23-2006, 01:11 PM
The biggest surprise of the morning was C Class rider Ronnie Mills claiming the final podium spot on his race ready Honda 450R, which was the first time this season that anyone besides the women have been on the Podium.

This ATVriders.com member came close at Big Buck finishing 4th Overall ahead of myself on the Yamaha Raptor 700 as we both fell just short, but he was able to use the muddy conditions to his advantage and edged out John Gallagher for the final podium spot as Angel Atwell finished in the 5th Overall position this weekend.

Admin
04-23-2006, 11:33 PM
The Top 3 Overall Finishers took to the Podium to celebrate their great rides at the Loretta Lynn’s GNCC, and the Morning racing action will be covered in full detail in a couple days by ATVriders.com Morning Reporter, Fred Mudd.

Podium (left to Right)
Stephanie Parton, Traci Cecco, Ronnie Mills

Admin
04-23-2006, 11:39 PM
Yamaha's Travis Hollins congratulated Traci Cecco on her win after the race as he headed over to watch the start of the Afternoon Race with several other Yamaha representatives visiting from Japan and taking the opportunity to watch some GNCC racing action.

Admin
04-23-2006, 11:43 PM
The Loretta Lynn’s track is a favorite of Bill Ballance for many reasons, and I am sure that its close proximity to his home in Kentucky is one of them because it provides the opportunity for several of his family members to attend and watch the race, and this weekend, he was joined track side by his father, which was surely extra special for Bill especially since Bill himself is the proud father of a new baby girl.

Admin
04-23-2006, 11:49 PM
Jeremy Rice missed the Big Buck GNCC, but he was back for Loretta Lynnn's on still an almost completely stock Suzuki LT-R450 as he continues to wait on suspension, A-Arms, and various other parts to have narrow up his QuadRacer and provide a smoother ride with suspension setup for XC racing and not MX as the new QuadRacer was engineered.

ITP supplied the Top ITP Pro Riders with ITP Canopies with the Pro Riders Names on them, which really helped to spice up the Pro Pits.

Admin
04-23-2006, 11:55 PM
#11 Bryan Cook was geared up for the first time since breaking his Collarbone in Florida as he prepared to head to the starting line.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:01 AM
#5 Matt Smiley might not be having the best of luck this 2006 season, but it hasn’t dampened his spirits as he has some fun in staging to lineup for the start of the Pro Race by pretending to play havoc on Borich’s Honda in an attempt to slow down his long time friend and Pennsylvania racing partner for several events outside of GNCC racing.

Matt Smiley started out the season on the new Polaris Outlaw, and he is very impressed with this new machine, but he just dosen’t have it dialed in enough to be competitive at the Pro level in the GNCC Series as of yet, so he has made the switch back to straight axle Polaris Predator.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:03 AM
Goodtime Charlie, Adam McGill, was having some fun with Brandon Sommers as they rough housed with each other before the race.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:08 AM
Pro Rookie, Duane Johnson, has created all the buzz in Missouri and around the Country as he has jumped into the Pro Class swinging and dicing it out on a race to race basis with the fastest XC Racers in the World, so far this season, his worse race was in Florida when he finished 7th Overall. He has been in Podium contingency every race since, which is very impressive for a first year Pro.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:11 AM
The points chase has really heated up this season once again with Bill Ballance having a real battle on his hands trying to tie Barry Hawk by winning his seventh Championship with Chris Borich continuing to lead the Points chase, but Bill Ballance closed the gap at Big Buck with his second place finish while Borich finished a disappointing 4th place after stalling his Honda after the creek crossing, which left him sitting for nearly 30 seconds trying to restart his machine.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:15 AM
The good spirited, Brandon Ballance hasn’t been able to get within striking distance of the Podium since his great ride in Florida which netted him the final podium spot as he has proved his ability to outlast the competition in the sand box of Florida, but he has since been gradually working his way back into a groove by finishing 7th Overall at the Big Buck

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:19 AM
Another Pro Rookie, Chris Bithell is determined to improve upon his #14 number plate for 2006 with a great start to the season as he hasn’t finished out of the top 10 overall yet this year and earned his second career podium appearance at the Steele Creek GNCC, but followed it up with his worst race of the year with a 10th overall at Big Buck, which isn’t bad for a Pro still in his teens.

There are now 3 Pro Rookies in the top 10 overall, which is great for the future of the sport.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:22 AM
Other up and coming riders are several Pro Am Riders, Jeffrey Pickens proved his ability at the Big Buck GNCC as he finished in the top 10 overall for the first time, and I am sure it doesn’t hurt to have one of the fastest women racers in your corner, Angel Atwell.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:34 AM
(left to right)
Sean Neidlinger, John Cunningham, Tyler Lenig)

Sean Neidlinger has busted out of know where in 2006 with an incredible start to the season by winning two races already and is currently lead the Pro Am Points and is currenty ranked as the top Amateur in 12th Overall in a tie with Craig Reed followed by Jeffrey Pickens and Tyler Lenig.

Tyler Lenig was a dominate force in the Morning Race when he raced the Stock Class on his Cannondale, but for 2005, he moved to 4 Stroke B and battled with Brandon Sommers, but unlike Brandon moving to A Class, Tyler has made the leap to Pro Am, which has proved to be a great decision as he has consistently finished in the top 5 in the class and is currently 3rd in points behind Craig Reed.

John Cunningham on the other hand is just an old fart still racing, lol Just kidding John, he is still trying to reel in the unnaturally fast Dave Simmons in the Senior Class, and Mr Cunningham is currently leading the points, but Dave has three wins in a row and is well on his way to another championship, but I can say that Mr Cunningham is #1 in my book for RV repair as he surely fixed up mine when it left me sitting on the side of I-81 last year, and I knew just who to call, and it has been running great ever since.

Thanks for all your support John Cunningham, and you never know maybe hanging around with these young bucks will rub something off on you.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:41 AM
Jarrod McClure quietly took the #1 plate in the morning last year by claiming the #201 away from Stephanie Parton for the first time since its inception. For 2006, Jarrod has made his way to the Pro Am Class, but his inability to get his new Honda to start with one kick has had him fighting threw the pack from almost dead last every race, and he has persevered and has proved his ability to pass his way through the pack and still has managed to every race in the top 10.

Jarrod is joined at everyrace with his father Jarrod, which is one of the great things about GNCC racing is the family involvement. It has truly brought me and my father closer together over the years racing, and I am sure it has done the same for many others, which is part of the reason why I still enjoy racing as much as I do, and I personally can’t wait to race again in less than one month at the penton depending on the weather.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:48 AM
Brent Sturdivant is normally joined at the races with his Father and brother Brandon, but this weekend it was just Brent and his father as Brandon was home recovering from a cold.

In 2005, Brent was faced with the worst luck of any racer, but he still came back week after week, and he only successfully finished 2 races out of the 12 he raced, and his 2006 season picked up where his left off last year with yet another DNF in Florida, but he has since been able to finally get into a groove and has finished two races in a row in the top 20 overall, which is a huge step in the right direction for this young talent, and he really opened some eyes this weekend at the Loretta’s GNCC.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:49 AM
With the race about to begin, the racers stood for the playing of the National Anthem.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:51 AM
William Yokley had a huge fan club of women cheering his name before the start of the race as they made the short trip down from Kentucky to watch their #1 rider.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:55 AM
With Morning racers and fans lining the track and looking over the track side billboards to watch the start of the race, the green flag was about to be waved by Ricky to start the Afternoon Race.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:58 AM
With the start of the Pro Race, Bill Ballance rounded the first corner first followed by Borich and Johnson as they attempted to square off the turn and head toward the left hand turn ahead and sprint toward the white line to claim the $100 ITP Holeshot Award.

Admin
04-24-2006, 01:00 AM
Ballance and Johnson square off and dashed toward the Holeshot Award Line with Ballance edging out Johnson for the Holeshot Award honors.

Admin
04-24-2006, 01:03 AM
Right behind the pair battling for the lead was Jeremy Rice and Chris Borich battling for the 3rd spot with Chris Jenks and William Yokley hot on their heels.

Admin
04-24-2006, 01:05 AM
The start of the Pro race was fairly uneventful through turn one besides Chris Bithell and Adam McGill colliding on the start, and Andy Lagzdins was once again starting at the rear of the pack along with Santo Derisi and Bryan Cook who was already without any goggles.

Admin
04-24-2006, 01:08 AM
With Ballance in the lead, Borich was now pressuring Johnson for the runners-up spot heading through turn 3 of a series of 4 sharp turns off the start.

Admin
04-24-2006, 01:10 AM
The only two Suzuki LTR450 mounted riders Jeremy Rice and William Yokley rounded out the top 5 Pros at the start of the race.

Admin
04-24-2006, 01:12 AM
Chris Bithell was able to break away from McGill and was quickly making his way through the pack and past Kim Kuhnle.

Admin
04-24-2006, 01:14 AM
Big Buck’s Overall Winner, Michael Houston, was almost at the rear of the pack only followed by Shawn Hess and Tood Demaree into the woods

Admin
04-24-2006, 09:32 AM
Pro Am Start
After a minute, it was time for the start of the Pro AM Race, which had #52 Mike Carter grabbing the Holeshot on his Honda with #36 Tyler Lenig, #149 Brent Sturdivant, #201 Jarrod McClure right behind him.

Admin
04-24-2006, 09:34 AM
With Mike Carter out front, #82 Kyle Martin would slingshot himself around the first turn and pullup along side of Sturdivant and Lenig heading into turn two.

Admin
04-24-2006, 09:36 AM
Brent’s aggressive on the gas or brakes riding style allowed him to catapult his way past Carter and into the lead after only a few turns where he would stay for the rest of the race.

Admin
04-24-2006, 09:42 AM
Jarrod McClure’s first great start of the season would come to an end when him and Josh Beavers collided, which sent Jarrod flying off his quad and in the path of the rest of the class.

Admin
04-24-2006, 09:45 AM
With Jarrod on the ground and quadless, Jeffrey Pickens and Taylor Kiser danced around him as he jumped to his feet and took off after his quad. He quickly remounted his Honda and returned to the race at the rear of the pack, which was nothing new for him, but as always, he was on a mission to quickly work his way through the pack.

Admin
04-24-2006, 09:50 AM
Open A

Next off the line was the Open A Class with Lance Smith grabbing the Holeshot, but by the end of the lap, Brad Beedlove would take over the lead until the final lap, when Ryan Lane would pass his way to the front and take the win closely followed by Mitch Craig.

Admin
04-24-2006, 09:51 AM
ATVriders.com Member Jonathan Shaff would suffer his first DNF of the season:(

Admin
04-24-2006, 09:53 AM
With over 40 Riders trying to squeeze between two trees only 3 quads wide, a bottleneck quickly formed, which had Ryan Lane caught up in the mix off it.

Admin
04-24-2006, 09:55 AM
4 Stroke A

Brandon Sommers and Jarred Childess battle for the lead heading into the woods with Sommers winning out and taking over the lead where he would stay as he pulled away to a 4 minute lead by the end over Kevin Yohoo.

Admin
04-24-2006, 09:59 AM
2 Stroke A/B

Jeff Brest grabbed the Holeshot on his 2006 Service Honda 250R with Ryan Schockling right behind him on his Laeger 250R. Schockling would make the pass on Brest and go on to dominate the class by winning the race with 23 minutes to spare :eek:

Admin
04-24-2006, 10:05 AM
Junior 25+
Greg Lott took the win in Georgia, but he hasn’t had any luck since and ripped his A-arm out of the frame in South Carolina, so he showed up with a brand new YFZ450 for Loretta Lynn’s, but he is saving the new plastic for Missouri..

Admin
04-24-2006, 10:07 AM
ATVriders.com Member, Scott Wilson would grab the Holeshot on his Yamaha YFZ450, but Kevan Johnston right behind him would work his way to the front by the second lap and claim his second win of the season and is currently leading the points over Wes Stone on the Polaris Predator.

Admin
04-24-2006, 10:09 AM
Senior 40+

Dave Simmons wasted no time getting out front in the Senior Class as he would go on to win the race with a 9 minute lead over John Cunningham for his 3rd consecutive win of the season.

Admin
04-24-2006, 10:11 AM
Franklin Grimplin and John Kenney would spin out going through the second turn, but Grimplin would recover and finish out the race in 3rd place with Kenney finishing in 5th.

Admin
04-24-2006, 10:13 AM
John Cunningham Jr. was at the rear of the pack and would catch a rut heading through turn two which almost sent him sailing, but he was able to straighten it out and work his way up into second place.

Admin
04-24-2006, 10:15 AM
Vet 30+

Thomas Wright would grab the Holeshot on his East Coast ATV Honda with Shawn Gillispie and John Rowlings right behind him.

Admin
04-24-2006, 10:17 AM
Wright would lose it in turn two when his lost traction in the rear and spun out, which sent Gillispie and Rowlings scrambling to avoid ramming into him.

Admin
04-24-2006, 10:21 AM
Thomas Wright did a complete 360 with John Rowlings just avoiding him. Wright would get going again mid pack. Daniel Ketterer would take advantage of all the excitement with the front runners and worked his way into the lead by the end of the 1st lap, which unfortunately would be his last lap. This opened the door for Tom Miller to take over the lead with Chris Earlywine finishing in the runners up spot followed by John Rowling.

Admin
04-24-2006, 10:25 AM
4 Stroke Stock A/B

The Stock Class in the Afternoon continues to be a small class with only 7 entries at Loretta’s, but it has two very talented riders chasing after the Championship with Todd Rothermel and Matt Hanna alternating wins this year. The start of the race was no different with this pair battling it out for the lead.

Admin
04-24-2006, 10:27 AM
Todd Rothermel would win the battle and take the lead on his Polaris Outlaw, and he would go on to the easy win with Adam Reed finishing in second place followed by Justin Wright. Matt Hanna apparently ran into issues, and he finished out the race in 6th place.

Admin
04-24-2006, 10:28 AM
Brian Foltz was playing bumper cars through the second turn as he bounced off of Justin Wright, which slowed the pair down without any major incident

Admin
04-24-2006, 10:31 AM
Open B
Nathan Wallpe was on a mission as he wasted no time pulling away from the rest of the over 40 riders as he lead from start to finish with a 3 minute lead over Brian Adams at the Checkered Flag. The win marked the 3rd for Wallpe this year as he extends his points lead over James Davis in second place.

Admin
04-24-2006, 10:34 AM
Behind Wallpe all havoc broke out as riders began bouncing off each other around two turn with Derek Beaman’s Honda being popped into the air, which sent him flying off his ATV as riders darted in every direction.

Admin
04-24-2006, 10:36 AM
With Beaman’s quad landing on its side, Eric Hoyland almost lost it as well, but he was able to keep it on all 4 wheels, but not before crashing through the snow fence.

Admin
04-24-2006, 10:38 AM
With the fence down, the riders now bottlenecked themselves between the trees heading into the woods, which had the crowd going crazy.

Admin
04-24-2006, 10:41 AM
4 Stroke B

The last class off the line was the 4 Stroke B Class with current points leader, Brent Foltz grabbing the Holeshot on his Yamaha YFZ450, but he would later be passed by Justin Kosmer to only take back over the lead in the second lap and claim his second win in a row and extend his points lead over Kosmer who would go on to finish in 19th.

Admin
04-24-2006, 10:43 AM
Yet another rider would spin out in the second turn, which sent riders scrambling to avoid him.

Admin
04-24-2006, 10:45 AM
By the end of the first lap, Bill Ballance held the Overall lead over Chris Borich right behind him in second place with Chris Jenks and Duane Johnson hot on their heels as they pulled a 30 second lead over Bryan Cook in 5th place

Admin
04-24-2006, 11:53 AM
Bryan Cook was riding like he never missed a beat since his collar bone injury, but unfortunately for him his chain derailed in the beginning of the second lap, which left him sitting track side for the remainder of the race.

Admin
04-24-2006, 11:55 AM
Scott Barron was also off to a great start running in 7th behind Jeremy Rice at the 11 Mile Marker on lap one, but he too would run into problems, which ended his race after only one lap.

Johnny Gallagher was also out of race after he found himself tangled in some barbwire.

Admin
04-24-2006, 11:58 AM
Matt Smiley looks to be getting back into his groove as he passed his way past Santo Derisi and Bryan Baker in the first lap to move up into 8th place by the end of the 1st lap.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:00 PM
Brent Sturdivant was leading the Pro AM Class, and he already worked his way past Michael Houston and was hot on the heels of Chris Bithell by the end of the first lap.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:02 PM
Less than a minute later, Tyler Lenig came through with Sean Neidlinger right behind him as they rounded out the top three in the Pro Am Class.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:04 PM
Jarrod McClure already worked his way up to 8th place, but was nearly two minutes behind Strudivant in the lead.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:07 PM
Lap Two

By the second lap, Bill Ballance continued to hold the lead early in the lap closely followed by Chris Borich, Duane Johson, and Chris Jenks.

The front four were swapping positions back and forth as there were several sections with multiple lines, which allowed for passing oppurtunities.

<center>http://www.atvriders.com/videos/2006/gnccatv/images/gnccatv200605top4overall.jpg (http://www.atvpress.com/atvvideos/gnccatv/gnccatv200605top4overall.wmv)
Video - Lap Two - Ballance, Borich, Jenks, Johnson - 3.0MB Windows Media Player File (http://www.atvpress.com/atvvideos/gnccatv/gnccatv200605top4overall.wmv)
</center>

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:08 PM
William Yokley had moved his way into the 5th spot on his Suzuki LT-R450.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:11 PM
After a rough start, Andy Lagzdins was on the charge to make up some valuable positions as he moved into 12th place by the end of second lap with Brandon Ballance battling with home most of the lap.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:14 PM
Track designer, Buren Hamrick, saved several sections of woods for the Afternoon which provided some virgin trails and tough hill climbs not included in the morning race.

Joshua Ribley cuts his way through the saplings as he moved his way from 18th place up to 13th by the end of the lap.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:16 PM
By the 6 mile mark on 2nd lap, Chris Jenks had taken over the lead

<center>http://www.atvriders.com/videos/2006/gnccatv/images/gnccatv200605itpdownhilll.jpg (http://www.atvpress.com/atvvideos/gnccatv/gnccatv200605itpdownhill_dialup.wmv)
Video - Lap Two - ITP Downhill Section - 7.2MB Windows Media Player File (http://www.atvpress.com/atvvideos/gnccatv/gnccatv200605itpdownhill_dialup.wmv)
</center>

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:18 PM
Pro Am Rider, Brent Sturdivant had now worked his way up in between William Yokley and Adam McGill as he was moving within Podium contingency.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:20 PM
Sean Neidlinger passed Tyler Lenig to take over the 2nd spot, but he was nearly 3 minutes behind Sturdivant.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:22 PM
Jeremy Rice dropped back to 15th place on his almost completely stock Suzuki LT-R450, which is still a major accomplishment considering he was running stock shocks and stock width of nearly 50" through the tight trees.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:27 PM
Lap Three

At the beginning of the 3rd lap, Chris Jenks remained in the lead with Bill Ballance right behind him.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:28 PM
Chris Borich was in 3rd with Duane Johnson remaining right with him.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:31 PM
Adam McGill had moved up to 6th place, but he was feeling the pressure from Chris Bithell in 7th place, who would later pass McGill to take over the 6th spot by the end of the lap.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:32 PM
Bryan Baker was back on the gas after dropping back a few positions in the first lap, he quickly regained them in the second lap and was moving up even more in the final lap as he also passed McGill to finish out the day in 7th place.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:35 PM
Matt Smiley was dropped back one position to 9th place, which would be his best finish of the year as he continues his return to "Mighty Matt"

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:40 PM
Brandon Ballance took a bad line up a hill, which was done by many riders during the race, which was the reason that Fred Mudd mistakenly finished 9th Overall after skipping several miles of the track when he reappeared on the track after going up the same hill.

Brandon luckily realized his mistake and quickly turned around, but not before Andy Lagzdins was able to pass him yet again, and Lagzdins would hold onto the 10th spot with Brandon Ballance finishing less than a minute behind him in 11th place.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:43 PM
Breant Sturdivant would just fall short off finishing on the Podium with his 4th Overall finish and the Pro Am Class win, which surely made the long trip home to West Virginia a really enjoyable one especially since his he could brag to his brother sitting at home about his great race.

Congrats Brent on your finish.

Top 5 Pro Am Finishers
1. Brent Sturdivant
2. Craig Reed
3. Sean Neidlinger
4. Tyler Lenig
5. Ryan Morphew

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:49 PM
Ryan Lane would finish 27th Overall and take the Open A Class win barely over Mitch Craig

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:50 PM
The Mud down in the Pits

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:56 PM
#1 Bill Ballance would take the win in a final lap charge and even overcame being throw over the handlebars when he hit a tree passing a lapped rider, which bent his tie-rod slightly, but he was still able to hold off Chris Borich finishing in the second spot followed by Chris Jenks.

The win was big for Bill Ballance at Loretta Lynn's with his friends and family in attendance, and he showed his excitement by burning up his Maxxis tires on the Podium.

**For those Curious, I was video taping with one hand and taking photos with my 7lb camera in the other, which explains the handshake.**

<center>http://www.atvriders.com/videos/2006/gnccatv/images/gnccatv200605ballanceburnout.jpg (http://www.atvpress.com/atvvideos/gnccatv/gnccatv200605billballanceburnout_dialup.wmv)
Video - Bill Ballance Burn Out on the Podium - 2.4MB Windows Media Player File (http://www.atvpress.com/atvvideos/gnccatv/gnccatv200605billballanceburnout_dialup.wmv)
</center>

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:57 PM
After Ballance's incredible display, Chris Jenks rode his Honda up on the Podium with his 3rd Overall finish.

Admin
04-24-2006, 12:59 PM
Chris Borich's 2nd place finish was enough to keep him in the points lead, but the win by Bill Ballance has really tightened things up with only 4 points seperating the pair at the top.

Admin
04-24-2006, 01:12 PM
Bill Ballance accepted his $100 ITP Holeshot Award prize and the top three overall finishers put on a great show for all those that witnessed this Loretta Lynn's GNCC. Duane Johnson was once again within striking of the Podium, but dropped back 2 minutes behind the leaders on the final lap of the race to finish 5th Overall.


<center>http://www.atvriders.com/videos/2006/gnccatv/images/gnccatv200605proatvpodium.jpg (http://www.atvpress.com/atvvideos/gnccatv/gnccatv200605podium_dialup.wmv)
Video - Podium Bill Ballance, Chris Borich, Chris Jenks - 17.8 MB Windows Media Player File (http://www.atvpress.com/atvvideos/gnccatv/gnccatv200605podium_dialup.wmv)
</center>

Admin
04-24-2006, 01:15 PM
The Podium celebration concludes the Loretta Lynn's Race Coverage, and be sure to check out the photo gallery and videos from the event, which will uploaded shortly.

660bigdaddy
04-24-2006, 02:28 PM
Thanks for the report on the women and utes in the morning and the pros and pro am in the afternoon Harlen...
try finding a better website than atvriders that covers the gncc series and let us know how you make out...
great job harlen, as always.

JRP
04-24-2006, 06:12 PM
awsome coverage harlen, made me feel like i was there.

PowerMadd789XC
04-24-2006, 08:20 PM
congrats BRENT. S. , good job , to everyone. :D

Pappy
04-24-2006, 08:32 PM
Damn skippy! Congrats Brent!

Good job Harlen, any closer to the action, and I would need tear offs for my monitor!

yoshz400rider
04-24-2006, 10:00 PM
anyone notice ballance thanked Smith googles haha he rides for Scott.
Also Moose swept the podium again.

coryatver
04-24-2006, 10:45 PM
Wow I think this was the best race coverage ever. Very good job! :macho

Johnny & Monica
04-25-2006, 09:40 AM
Totally awesome report Harlen. Loved the addition of the videos. I just saw the other videos linked from the homepage with the interviews from the last round. Very nice!!!

tamehart
04-25-2006, 11:27 AM
awesome pics and coverage

love your desire to continually stepping this site up further from all the other sites

IOWAracer
04-25-2006, 03:08 PM
Once again Great Job Harlen that was awsome!!!!:D

harescrambles
04-25-2006, 04:30 PM
Great job, Thanks:D

EvilEwok
04-25-2006, 07:21 PM
Great report Harlen! I wish I could have been there, but this was second best next to actually going. I will be at Sparta ky though :macho

McGillsis09
04-25-2006, 10:28 PM
Great coverage, Harlen (as always)! I hate not going but I know I can always count on you guys for GREAT race coverage! Love the addition of the videos!!

Keep up the good work!

coryatver
04-26-2006, 06:36 AM
Originally posted by tamehart
awesome pics and coverage

love your desire to continually stepping this site up further from all the other sites

I really enjoy all the websites. They all offer there own view of the races. I like all the amature riders pictures on qaudzone, and the video and photo journal on the scene. The more the better.:D

Mxjunkie
04-26-2006, 09:05 AM
Great coverage Harlen! I love how its just the quads engine sound instead of music, makes you feel like your there :D :macho

coryatver
04-26-2006, 09:42 AM
yeah that is awesome. During the podium interview the guy was like my exhuast is tame in the pits and roars on the track.

Bart
04-26-2006, 12:33 PM
A few pics that I took.

Bill Ballance with the lead entering the woods. Notice his nice shiney quad.

Bart
04-26-2006, 12:36 PM
Duane Johnson leading Chris Borich and William Yokley.

Bart
04-26-2006, 12:38 PM
Chris Jenks and others (sorry, too muddy for me to make out).

Bart
04-26-2006, 12:39 PM
Johnny Gallagher playing in the mud.

Bart
04-26-2006, 12:40 PM
Bill Ballance still with the lead leaving the woods at the end of lap 1.

Bart
04-26-2006, 12:41 PM
Chris Borich now in second.

Bart
04-26-2006, 12:43 PM
Chris Jenks now in the lead near the end of lap 2. Bill Ballance not far behind in second.

Bart
04-26-2006, 12:44 PM
Chris Borich in 3rd.

Bart
04-26-2006, 12:45 PM
Duane Johnson in 4th.

Bart
04-26-2006, 12:48 PM
William Yokley in 5th.

Bart
04-26-2006, 12:49 PM
Jenks now under some serious pressure from Ballance for the lead as lap 3 begins.

Bart
04-26-2006, 12:50 PM
Borich also being pressured by Johnson for 3rd.

Bart
04-26-2006, 12:50 PM
Duane Johnson in 4th.

Bart
04-26-2006, 12:52 PM
Bill Ballance preparing to take the checker flag for the win.

Bart
04-26-2006, 12:53 PM
Chris Borich finishing in 2nd.

Bart
04-26-2006, 12:53 PM
Chris Jenks being scored in 3rd.

Congrats to all.

teethandtissue
04-26-2006, 07:48 PM
awesome coverage guys!
keep up with the utility classes!
go team BRP!:D

mills_racing
04-26-2006, 08:01 PM
when you going to be getting the photo gallery up harlen?

cdalejef
04-26-2006, 08:07 PM
Originally posted by EvilEwok
I will be at Sparta ky though :macho Me too!!! :D

EvilEwok
04-26-2006, 08:22 PM
What happened last year? I was going to go to it but I hadn't heard anymore about it like dates and stuff.

Admin
04-26-2006, 10:12 PM
Originally posted by mills_racing
when you going to be getting the photo gallery up harlen?

The Photo Galleries have been posted

http://www.atvriders.com/atvracing/gnccatvracing2006.html#5

markk
05-01-2006, 02:58 PM
HEY DERIK BEAMAN!!!!!!! I thought u took IMS ROLL DESIGN POGO STICK off that 450r!!!!!!