Jordan Phillips Fights Back from a Rough Start in GNCC Round 3

Jordan Phillips racing in the GNCC in Sparta, Georgia

Tight track conditions made for some great racing in Georgia (Photo: Ken Hill)

Sometimes it’s not the races that are won that define a championship run. Races that are salvaged are often the defining moments in a racer’s season. That may just be the case when Jordan Phillips looks back on the Sparta, Georgia, round of the Grand National Cross Country Series (GNCC).

Course assessment is a vital first step in the racing effort of every round of the GNCC. “Upon, arrival Friday afternoon, I began walking the course,” said Phillips. “It was shaping up to be great weather; sunny and mid 70s."

“The course had a mix of everything such as tight wooded sections, clear cut fields, rocks, and even a couple of muddy areas,” Phillips continued. “A few spots were extremely tight and it would be a chore to squeeze my Renegade through.”

Phillips put himself in an early-race bind with a mistake on the first turn. “When the green flag dropped I rocketed forward and ended up spinning out into the first corner,” Phillips said. “This was less than desirable, but I kept pushing forward and worked up to 6th after completing lap one.”

The salvage work was not done. Phillips raced his way back into an entertaining mid-pack battle for position.

Jordan Phillips racing in the GNCC in Sparta, Georgia

Phillips roosted his way back into contention after a bad first turn (Photo: Ken Hill)

“I kept my head down and moved into 4th,” Phillips said. “During the last two laps I encountered some lap traffic allowing 5th place to catch me. We swapped positions at least 4 times. This made for great racing!”

“By the checkered flag, I had to settle for 5th in 4x4 Pro and 7th overall.” Phillips said. While not the finishing position that Phillips would have liked, fighting back for a solid points finish is a positive.

The next round of the GNCC holds some added intrigue for Phillips. “April 8th we will be racing in Morganton, North Carolina, for the fourth round of the GNCC series. This is also my home track and we are looking forward to another great race here. Thanks for everyone's continued prayers and support!”

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