Charlie Mullins took a giant step towards winning his first GNCC title with an impressive victory at the Amsoil Ironman GNCC in Crawfordsville, Indiana - round 13 of the 2011 Can-Am Grand National Cross Series.
The Ironman GNCC is historically known for it's spectator-friendly obstacles and festive aura, usually serving as the final round of racing; but due to a previous rainout, the Ironman provided a penultimate round of exciting racing action in all classes, the finale taking place at Loretta Lynn's Ranch November 4-6. Aside from racing action, there were a variety of special events taking place at the festive Ironman event and there's no doubt the Crawfordsville locals witnessed a day of racing they will never forget.
Looking strong and confident on a challenging and deeply rutted course, Mullins took the lead at the end of the opening lap and after three hours of racing had increased his advantage to nearly 40 seconds. However, the FMF/KTM rider's fifth win of the season didn't come quite as easily as that, as Am-Pro/FMF Yamaha's Paul Whibley kept things exciting by closing in on Mullins midway into the race. However, in the end, Mullins was able to pull away from the 2009 series champ and enjoyed a comfortable lead when he took the checkers at the finish.
With the win, Mullins now has a healthy 38-point lead in the series standings, which he will carry into the double-header finale at Loretta Lynn's Ranch.
"It's good to add to my lead, and it puts me a little closer to the championship," said Mullins. "I just rode as hard as I could and things went my way."
"I lost a few positions in a creek crossing on the opening lap and I dropped back to about fifth, but then I just put my head down and passed everybody on the backside and then put on a sprint and opened up a gap," added Mullins. "Later on, I saw Whibley was coming, but I just held my pace and it worked out."
Whibley crossed the finish line in second, but due to a rules infraction, the New Zealander was docked one position in the standings, promoting his Am Pro Yamaha teammate Thad DuVall up to second. The runner-up finish marked the second podium in a row for DuVall, who is starting to find his rhythm after getting off to a slow start to the season.
Meanwhile, Whibley rounded out the podium in third, capping off one of his best rides of the year.
