REIGNING CHAMPION CRAIG DELONG FINISHES FIFTH IN XC1 OPEN PRO CLASS AT MASON-DIXON ROUND
MURRIETA, CA – June 3, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Round 8 of the 2024 Grand National Country (GNCC) Series saw Korie Steede win her second-consecutive race in the WXC Class, continuing her mid-season surge with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, on a weekend where Craig DeLong placed fifth in the XC1 Open Pro Class.
The Mason-Dixon GNCC was a memorable one for Steede on the Husqvarna Motorcycles FX 250, leading all four laps at the Mount Morris, Pennsylvania, venue to deliver a commanding performance. Steede has now closed to within 13 points of the points lead after picking up a sixth podium of the year.
“I knew the start would be really important today, the track was narrow and slippery, so I tried to get out of the gate quickly,” said Steede. “Everybody kept me on my toes – I was battling hard with Tayla [Jones] early on – and then I was able to build up a gap before my pit stop. We’re just going to take this one race at a time, one lap at a time, and put in a good race from here.”
After winning last time out at Powerline Park GNCC, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider DeLong was once again in the mix on his Husqvarna Motorcycles FX 350, recording a top-five result in the XC1 Open Pro division when the checkered flag was waved. He was consistent in the early stages and then gained ground across the closing laps to finish P5, still placed fourth in the standings.
“It was a tough day at a track that was nearly impossible to pass at,” DeLong recalled. “No excuses from me – I’m going to put the work in to get back on the podium.”
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing teammate Trevor Bollinger was ruled out of the Mason-Dixon GNCC weekend as a result of a practice crash earlier in the week.
XC1 Open Pro Class Results
1. Johnny Girroir, KTM
2. Steward Baylor Jr, Kawasaki
3. Jordan Ashburn, GASGAS
4. Dante Oliveira, KTM
5. Craig DeLong, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
WXC Class Results
1. Korie Steede, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
2. Brandy Richards, KTM
3. Tayla Jones, Husqvarna
Upcoming Offroad Races – June 2024
6/9: National Enduro Series – Round 4
6/16: U.S. Sprint Enduro Series – Round 6
6/16: U.S. Hard Enduro Series – Round 6
6/23: Grand National Country Series – Round 9
6/29: Silver Kings Hard Enduro
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