Although McGill has a three-race winning streak behind him, his latest win did not come easy to him as he had to continually fight the entire two-hour race and make the pass for the win in the last turn. It became apparent that Maxxis/Fly Racing/HMF/Ye Olde Cycle Barn/Suzuki’s Chris Borich is hungry for his first win as he led the way on the last lap at the previous round. Since switching bike brands Borich has gathered a handful of podium finishes, but is still lacking an overall win in 2016. The six-time champion will look to do just that this Saturday.

Another racer who is eager for his first overall win is Coastal Racing/MSR/Maxxis-backed Brycen Neal. The Ohio native resides just one hour south of The John Penton GNCC and trains in similar conditions that will be present this weekend. Neal’s past results show that he is a strong contender for the overall win and his new ride might just be what he needs to emerge victorious in front of his friends and family. 

The defending champion, N-Fab/Maxxis/AmPro Yamaha/Lonestar/MXP’s Walker Fowler will also be looking to return to his winning ways and end McGill’s success. The Ohio native favors the woods at Sunday Creek Raceway and has won the overall at his hometown race the past two years. Fowler will look to use that as momentum heading into this weekend as he competes aboard an all-new machine. 

“I love the track at John Penton,” said Fowler. “I’d like to think that straight up I can still beat the other guys, but in GNCC racing you have to be able to race in all conditions and that will play a role this weekend.” 

JMR/ATVriders.com/DWT’s Jarrod McClure currently sits fifth heading into this weekend and will look for a solid performance to earn his second podium of the year. Just four points behind McClure is N-Fab/Maxxis/AmPro Yamaha/Lonestar/MXP’s Cole Richardson. Richardson landed a spot on the overall podium off the second row at the 2015 John Penton and will prove to be tough competition this Saturday as he strives for his first XC1 podium of the year.

Show Hauler/Canyon Motorsports/GBC’s Landon Wolfe comes into this round ranked seventh and will look to improve his standings. After suffering from a mechanical issue in Indiana, BNR/Moose Racing/Maxxis’ Josh Merritt holds the eighth place position in the points standings and will aim to redeem himself and land his first podium finish of the year. GBC/HMF/FLY Racing/Yamaha’s Johnny Gallagher rounds out the top ten moving into the John Penton GNCC this Saturday, May 28. 

Hygear Suspension/Waynesburg Yamaha/FLY Racing/Moto-Xperts/Spider Graphix’s Greg Covert continues to lead the way in the XC2 Pro-Am championship after a successful podium finish at the Limestone 100. Covert will aim to extend his points lead and earn his second win of the season this weekend. However, Covert’s competition is stiff between Dillinger's Celtic Pub & Eatery/GBC Motorsports/Moose Racing’s Marty Christofferson and ITP/Ye Olde Cycle Barn/Walsh Racecraft’s Westley Wolfe who head into Saturday sitting second and third in the points championship. Pierce Performance’s Cody Collier also demonstrated that he will be a top contender for the win after taking the victory at the previous race. 

Saturday’s race schedule is as follows: Youth ATV racing begins at 8 a.m., followed by amateurs, 4x4 Pro and Women at 10 a.m., and the pros and top amateurs race at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon will also include UTV racing taking place at 4:00 p.m.

Adult (12+) gate admission is $20 for the full weekend and $10 for kids (6-11), with kids five and under free. Gate admission includes pro pit access and pro autographs at no additional charge.

This weekend is co-sanctioned with WEXCR, a series that produces local racing events in Ohio and West Virginia, and will ultimately bring out a full slate of local racers. All local racers are invited to compete at this event, as GNCC Racing offers classes for riders of all skill and experience levels. The amateur race entry fee is $40 and riders can sign up at the track.

Local racers expected to compete Saturday on ATVs will be Ayden Konkler (90 8-12), Braden Henthorn (XC2 Pro-Am), Kylie Ahart (WXC), Bryan Mick (40+ C), Cacey Moore (16-18 C), Brett Triplett (40+ C),  Brycen Neal (XC1 Pro), Cody Collier (XC2 Pro-Am), David Rutter Jr. (Vet B 30+), Tyler Wears (College A 16-21), Walker Fowler (XC1 Pro), Casey Simmons (Super Mini 12-15) and Tyler Miller (Junior B 22+).

In addition, local Side-by-Side racers competing Saturday afternoon will be Kyle Chaney (XC1 Pro), Treavis Poynter (XC1 Pro), Jason Luburgh (XC1 Pro), Austin Seelig (Amateur Limited), Scott Townsend (Lites) and Cohl Secoy (XC1 Pro).