Dirt Bike News - Hawk Wins the Mountaineer GNCC, but Smith One Step Closer to his Fifth Championship - Dirt Rider Magazine

Barry Hawk's injuries may have caused him some pain a few months ago, but now they are helping put the hurt on his competition. The defending AMA Grand National Cross Country Series Champion is motivated to prove last season was no fluke, and with a big win at the first-ever Mountaineer GNCC in West Virginia, he may have taken care of that issue."It's never easy, but I had a good day out there today," said Hawk, a member of the Am Pro Yamaha factory race team who broke bones in his face in a crash a few months ago. "After my injury, I think I just got even more fired up. Now all I think about is my motorcycle. As bad as I wanted it before, I want it even more now. I want to prove to everyone that last year was for real."Hawk helped prove it by pulling away from FMF Suzuki's Rodney Smith and upstart Australian talent Glenn Kearny at the halfway mark and winning by over a minute. After battling with Hawk early, Smith held on for second after a wild last lap, and thanks to the sub-par seventh-place finish by his series rival Jason Raines, he has opened up a lead in the series standings. Just two races now stand between Smith and a record-tying fifth GNCC title."I was waiting for Jason to catch up, but eventually I just started riding my own race," said Smith. "Barry rode great today and I just wanted to be smart and take second. Anything can happen in two races."Kearny held on for third, an amazing performance for a rider on audition for a ride in the U.S. next year. "That's the goal: I want to race this series next season," said Kearny. "I tried to ride away from Barry and Rodney, but they stayed on my tire. So I waved them by. I didn't want to mess anything up for them. I'm really happy to be up here, but it was tough."Kearny opened eyes with his strong ride, especially after holding up under late pressure from Throttlehead.com Kawasaki's Josh McLevy and Parts Unlimited/Moose Honda's Scott Summers. McLevy managed to pass Kearny on the last lap, but one mistake stopped him from taking his first career podium."I just rode calm today. I rode at 75 percent," said McLevy, who is notorious for hanging it out early and burning out before the finish. "I would have loved a podium, but I'm happy with this finish."Raines' performance had many guessing as to what was bothering the Yamaha rider, but he merely chalked it up to a bad day. "I haven't been getting good starts," said Raines. "I don't know, I didn't have good luck today. I was behind Chucky (Woodford) and he kicked up a rock and I hit it with my front wheel. I crashed and ended up way back." Smith now holds a 25-point lead over Raines with two rounds to go.Summers finish fifth with FMF Suzuki veteran Fred Andrews returning from a bought with shingles to take sixth. Raines was seventh ahead Steve Hatch and Chuck Woodford on Kawasakis, and the top amateur of the day, Ohio-based KTM pilot Charlie Mullins.The next round of the GNCC Series comes up in two weeks at Power Line Park in St. Clairsville, Ohio.

|||||| |---|---|---|---|---| Mountaineer GNCC Summersville, WV Top Twenty Overall|1. |Barry Hawk Jr. |Smithfield, PA |Yam | |2. |Rodney Smith |Antioch, CA |Suz | |3. |Glenn Kearney |Picton, Australia |Yam | |4. |Josh McLevy| Fairfield, CT |Kaw | |5. |Scott Summers |Petersburg, KY |Hon | |6. |Fred Andrews |Salem, OH |Suz | |7. |Jason Raines |Belfair, WA |Yam | |8. |Steve Hatch |Scottsdale, AZ |Kaw | |9. |Chuck Woodford |St. Clairsville, OH |Kaw| | |10. |Charles Mullins |Trenton, OH |KTM | |11. |Randy Hawkins |Traveler's Rest, SC |Yam | |12. |Cole Calkins |East Sparta, OH |Kaw | |13. |Jesse Robinson |Connellys Spring, NC |Kaw | |14. |Gregory Gillian |Cross Lanes, WV |Hon | |15. |Robbie Jenks |New Straitsville, OH |Yam | |16. |P A Allen |Vanleer, TN |Kaw | |17. |Garrett Edmisten |Vero Beach, FL |Kaw | |18. |Brian Lawson |Adams, MA |Yam | |19. |Justin Williamson |Sanford, FL |Yam | |20. |Aaron Wegner |Traverse City, MI |Yam |