After a disappointing season opener where he was plagued with a mechanical issue, Rockstar Energy/Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Thad Duvall has quickly turned his season around with two podium finishes. After exchanging the lead multiple times with Russell at the previous round, Duvall not only has the knowledge of what it takes to be a top contender, but also the confidence.

SRT/KTM’s Steward Baylor is setting himself up for a season-best finish. Last year Baylor mentioned that Steele Creek has been a long-time favorite of his, and that extra confidence boost may be what he needs to return to the middle of the box. Baylor is known for his ability to excel in tight trails, which the Steele Creek GNCC has plenty of. After charging through the pack in Georgia, if he can get off to a better start Baylor is sure to be in the mix with Russell and Duvall.

N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha’s Ricky Russell heads into the Steele Creek GNCC holding fifth in the points championship. After having a stand-out performance in the first two rounds, R Russell struggled in Georgia, but still finished ninth and heads into this weekend with hopes to make his way back to the podium.  

JCR Honda’s Trevor Bollinger rolls into his home race ranked seventh. The rookie has yet to make a podium appearance this year, but will be a rider to keep an eye on this Sunday as he competes on his home turf. Bollinger-themed shirts and posters will flood the Steele Creek campground this weekend, where he is known to have one of the largest cheering sections witnessed throughout the whole season.

N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha’s Josh Toth holds the early lead in the XC2 250 Pro class with an impressive 1-1-1 sweep in the first three rounds. Coastal Racing/Husqvarna’s Craig Delong and RPM/KTM’s Mike Witkowski follow in second and third. Delong’s teammate, Layne Michael, and Solid Performance KTM-backed Jesse Groemm round out the top five in the XC2 250 Pro division heading into this weekend.

Sunday’s race schedule is as follows: Youth bike racing begins at 8 a.m., followed by amateurs and women at 10 a.m., and the pros and top amateurs take to the track at 1 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. Camping fees are $40 for full-hookup spots, and $25 for primitive camping. Full-hookup campsites are first-come-first-served, and camping fees are per night.

All local racers are invited to compete in the Steele Creek GNCC, as GNCC Racing offers classes for riders of all skill and experience levels. The amateur race entry fee is $40 if racers pre-enter, and $50 if riders sign up at the track. To learn more about GNCC Racing please visit the GNCC101 webpage.

Local racers expected to compete this Sunday will be Zack Davidson (Super Mini Sr. 14-15), Alexis Phillips (Girls 8-15), Abram (50 Sr. 5-7) and brother Colton Shields (65 7-9), Bradley Jordan (Super Mini Sr. 14-15), Noah Cooper (65 10-11), Dustin Hall (250 C Jr. 25+), brothers Eli (200 A) and Kaden Childers (85 12-13), Tyler Palmer (Super Mini Jr. 12-13), Drew Cross (Super Mini Sr. 14-15), Dylan Zimpel (Super Mini Sr. 14-17), Anthony Reid (Super Senior B 45+), son Tyler (Junior A/B 25+) and father Mike Hampton (Silver Masters A 55+), Jake Easler (125 B/C), Andrew Davis (Open C College 16-24), Landen Wray (125 B/C), Michael Mahowald (Open C Jr. 25+), Gary Whitley (Open C Jr. 25+), Brett Walker (250 C Schoolboy 14-17), Noah Proffitt (250 C Schoolboy 14-17), Kyle Childers (250 C Jr. 25+), Aidan Pogson (200 C Schoolboy 12-15), Triston Gross (200 C 16+), Will Ashley (Vet C 30+), Kenneth Stephens (Super Senior C 45+), Anna Rubino (Women C), Trevor Barrett (XC2 250 Pro), Conner Smith (Open A), Troy Lieberman (4-Stroke A Lites), Tyler Bruton (Open A), Blaine Kimrey (250 B), Lucas Towery (Junior A/B 25+), Noah Stephens (200 A), Cody Jeffers (4-Stroke A Lites), Chris McManus (4-Stroke A Lites), Casey Leatherman (250 A), Nathan Davis (200 A), Joe Spivey (4-Stroke B Lites) and William Lackey (Senior B 40+).

Tune in to RacerTV.com on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST to catch LIVE streaming of the Pro Bike race. For more information on GNCC LIVE coverage, visit www.racertv.com. A highlight show featuring the event will air on NBC Sports Network on Sunday, June 4 at 3:00 p.m.