Gann Wins Big in Carolina
Enough points rained on RumBum Racer Shawn Gann this weekend that he could have splashed in their puddles. After the Carolina Nationals in Concord, NC wrapped up Sunday, the National Hot Rod Association results page was doused with Gann's name adjacent to such phrases as "clean runs", "impressive", "quickest pass of the round", and – the best part – "bonus points." Even if you don't know anything about pro stock racing, you gotta know this guy's good.
Saturday at the zMax Raceway in Concord also saw a first for the RumBum Race Team. Gann and his teammate, Bailey Whitaker, raced helmet to helmet for the first time. The race was a first for the rookie Whitaker, and there was a feeling young Skywalker was being pinned against Yoda.
"I was feeling butterflies," says Whitaker. "I told him ‘Good Luck,' but when that shield goes down it's like you're not racing your teammate anymore." Yet, with nerves building, Whitaker left the line too early and left Gann to score the win. "He's racing in the Top 10," Whitaker said, "It's good for him to get those points."
Go far with that attitude, you will.
Gann sped his way through the semifinals – and at no better time of the season. At this part in the series, the Top 10 are battling for the title. The bonus points Gann earned with the quickest pass of a qualifying round (which he achieved twice) had him bounding from his 9th place standing at the start of the weekend to 3rd place by the end. Gann swears he could have taken the whole weekend if not for his busted crankshaft.
"That is sooooo nerve-wracking," he says. "It's the third time it's bit me." Regardless of that contemptuous crankshaft, Gann's leap into 3rd focuses all eyes on his bike for what is sure to be an eventful two months, as the season ends and someone goes home the winner.
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