Paul Whibley returned to the top of the podium with an impressive win at the Rock Run GNCC in Patton, Pennsylvania, the Am Pro Racing/FMF/Yamaha rider making easy work of the fast and rocky, 14-mile course to finish nearly two minutes clear of FMF/Makita Suzuki's Josh Strang after three hours of racing.
Whibley took the lead at the start of the race after passing $250 Motosport.comHoleshot Award winner Jedidiah Haines in turn three, but then gave way to Strang and FMF/KTM's Charlie Mullins, who took the lead position later in the lap. Whibley, however, regained the top spot at the three-mile mark when Strang made a mistake and Mullins took a bad line in a mud hole and from there the New Zealander pulled a considerable gap on the field.
Strang cut into Whibley's advantage near the halfway point of the race and took the lead when Whibley got stuck on a steep climb. However, Whibley took control again when Strang pitted for gas and from that point on the Kiwi was never headed.
At the finish, Whibley claimed his second win of the year, with Strang second and Mullins third.
"For me, it feels good to get another win," said Whibley. '
"Being one of the older guys in the field the wins are harder to come by and the last two races a few of the younger guys have been up front. So it's good to still be able to run with these guys."
"I have to admit I wasn't really enjoying it out there. I'm not a huge fan of rocks, but this past week I practiced in the rocks and I was somewhat prepared," added Whibley. "The course was quite fast and the penalty for going down in this stuff is severe so I was a little cautious out there and I think Strang might have had problems at the end of the race so everything ended up going my way."
Indeed, Strang admitted after the race that he was suffering brake problems during the later laps, however, his runner-up finish was enough to elevate the defending champ back into the series points lead, two points ahead of Mullins.
"The last two laps the brakes started fading on me, so it was difficult, but Paul rode a good race and it's good to get back in the lead in the standings," said Strang. "I had the lead and then Whibs got me when I pitted. After that I struggled with the brakes. But I felt good and I'm happy with how the bike worked. We did some testing and we got a good set-up for the rocks and the suspension worked great in the rocks."
