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#14
Jeffrey Pickens is one of five Pros in
the top 10 overall on Yamaha's, and Jeffrey
is one of three that have made the switch
to blue for 2009 in the top 10 with Jarrod
McClure & Taylor Kiser |
Jeffrey Pickens also made the switch to a Yamaha
for the 2009 season and has been inside the
top 10 in both rounds of competition thus far.
Pickens 2008 season was hampered by a thumb
injury and if he can remain healthy, we should
see him running at the top 5 mark as we hit
terrain that he is more accustomed to. Pickens
holds steady as he is tied for the 6th position
in points after the first two rounds.
Johnny Gallagher spent a lot of time in the
off season training and racing local events.
He states he is more then capable of running
upfront and after a 10th place finish at round
1 and backing it up with an 8th place finish
at the General, Gallagher is poised to start
2009 off right with a solid run at a single
digit number at the season end if he can continue
finishing inside the top 10. Gallagher sits
tied with Pickens for the 6th spot in class
points.
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#783 Johnny Gallagher has been racing
the GNCC series what seems like forever,
and it appeared he was slowing down the
past couple years, but he now appears
to be faster than ever as he chases after
a top 10 number for 2009 |
#495
Duane Johnson had his share of issues
in 2008, which caused him to drop out
after six rounds of racing, but this isn't
the case for 2009, as he puts together
two strong finishes |
Duane Johnson had to walk away from the series
in 2008 but would make a return to competition
at the opening round in Florida. Johnson was
eager to get back into the mix and prove he
could still battle with the best in the world,
and prove it has. Finishing round one just outside
the top 10, Johnson would work hard at round
two and take the 8th position in points. Many
of the racers who couldn’t train in Florida
during the off season are looking forward to
getting back to familiar terrain and this is
where we could see Johnson’s name upfront.
Duane finished 7th at the General.
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| #13
Chris Bithell lead the charge till he
ran out of gas on the final lap of the
race |
Chris Bithell would suffer from a bad decision
to not pit for fuel on as the last lap began
at round two. After an incredible battle with
Suzuki mounted Chris Borich, Bithell’s
machine sputtered and died leaving him watching
as Borich sailed to victory. Finishing 7th at
round one had Bithell fired up and he wants
badly to prove himself and get some wins for
his Warnert racing team and he almost met his
goal here at round two. Bithell’s finish
inside the top 10 at the opening round and his
close run to victory at round two speaks volumes
at how hard the Warnert team has worked at getting
his DS450 more readied to handle the rigors
of XC1 Pro class racing.
Looking at the top 10 finishers at round number
two is but a snap shot of how the points will
eventually break down, but it does show immediately
how competitive one will have to be if a championship
is to be won. As we look ahead to the upcoming
rounds, we may see some big changes as riders
who have never fared well in the sand of Florida
or seem to have bad luck in the Georgia clay,
will finally get a chance to open things up
in the twisting woods and rocks of Steele Creek
at round 3 and at the ultra fast round at Big
Buck.
www.gnccracing.com
122 Vista Del Rio Drive,
Morgantown, WV 26508
304-284-008
