GNCC Racing

GNCC Series Heads to The Dunlop Limestone 100

GNCC Series Heads to The Dunlop Limestone 100

Wednesday, April 23, 2014 | 3:50 PM
Wednesday, April 23, 2014 | 3:50 PM

This weekend, the 2014 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, converges onto the Lawrence County Recreational Park in Springville, Ind. for the third annual Dunlop Limestone 100 GNCC.

With three victories behind him, Team Maxxis’ Chris Borich leads the championship standings heading into Round 5 of the 13-race series this Saturday, April 26. Borich’s dominance is nothing new to the XC1 Pro ATV class, but this year’s level of competition has the five-time GNCC National Champion more alert than ever before. In the past, it’s taken nearly half the season to beat the champ, but early results have indicated that 2014 could be the most competitive season yet.

Chris Borich heads to Indiana with the red plate in the XC1 Pro ATV class
Chris Borich heads to Indiana with the red plate in the XC1 Pro ATV class Photo: Ken Hill

N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Walker Fowler was the first to break through with a big victory at Round 2. Fowler was then on his way to potentially securing a second win at the last round but a mistake late in the race cost him valuable ground and Borich moved by for the win. As the 2013 Limestone 100 winner, Fowler will look to extend his winning streak in the Hoosier state this weekend.

But first, the Ohio native will have to conquer the rest of the talented lineup in the XC1 Pro class. DWT Racing’s Jarrod McClure may not have a win just yet but the Pennsylvania native has been more consistent than any other rider. In fact, McClure is the only rider on the roster to have finished in the top five at every round, thus seeding himself third in the championship points after four rounds.

McClure has been the most consistent rider in the XC1 Pro ATV class
McClure has been the most consistent rider in the XC1 Pro ATV class Photo: Ken Hill

Tied for points in the fourth place position sits Precision/Maxxis Tires Chris Bithell and RacingPowersports.com/CST Tires/PirateMX.com’s Adam McGill, who battled it out for the final podium position at the last round. In the end, Bithell came away with the third place finish, which gives him the slight advantage over McGill heading into this weekend’s Limestone 100. With the exception of one bad race, both McGill and Bithell have proven to be consistent front-runners this season and both riders certainly have the potential to win races.

DeRisi Racing/Team Woodhead’s Braden Henthorn sits in seventh in the championship standings, with an onslaught of rookies close behind. Dave Bayless Motorsports/Dirtworks/DC Cycles-backed Brycen Neal holds the eighth place position, followed by Maxxis/FLY Racing/ATV Innovations’ Landon Wolfe in ninth and Waynesburg Yamaha’s Jay Shadron in tenth overall.

Walker Fowler is looking to gain his second win of the season at Limestone 100
Walker Fowler is looking to gain his second win of the season at Limestone 100 Photo: Ken Hill

Despite a mechanical issue at the last round, N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Cole Richardson holds sixth place in the overall standings. In his rookie season, Richardson has captured two XC2 Pro Am victories where he currently sits tied for second place in the class. SICC Racing’s Fred Marley matched Richardson’s points at the last round with a fourth place finish, where he will attempt to secure a win in his home state of Indiana this weekend.

Coming off a two-race winning streak in his rookie season, SICC Racing/Maxxis-backed Marshal Goings holds the points lead heading into Round 5. Goings ran into issues at the season opener, but the Indiana native has been solid ever since with three consecutive trips to the podium.

Chris Bithell has front-running potential and he's looking for his first win
Chris Bithell has front-running potential and he's looking for his first win Photo: Ken Hill

In the 4x4 Pro class, Can-Am X-Team’s Kevin Trantham holds a one-point lead over his teammate Jordan Phillips heading into Saturday’s race. For the first time in GNCC history, this premier 4x4 class championship factors in finishes from all 13 rounds, making for an exciting championship battle all season long. ATV Parts Plus/Can-Am’s Bryan Buckhannon has been the most consistent finisher atop the podium, but the West Virginia native has yet to secure a win in the class. Buckhannon holds third place in the standings, just two points below Phillips, who remains the only multi-time winner so far. 

Braden Henthorn currently sits 7th in the championship as we head to The Dunlop Limestone 100
Braden Henthorn currently sits 7th in the championship as we head to The Dunlop Limestone 100 Photo: Ken Hill

With one win under his belt, BNR Motorsports/Loctite Can-Am’s Robert Smith sits in the fourth place position, just ahead of Factory Polaris/Coldcock Whiskey’s Rick Cecco. Factory Polaris/UXC Racing’s Michael Swift hasn’t gotten off to the start he had hoped for but the Tennessee native is expected to battle up front as well. Can-Am rider Corry Savage holds the seventh place position.

Youth ATV racing will take place on Saturday at 8 a.m., followed by amateurs, 4x4 Pro and Women at 10 a.m., and the top amateurs and pros at 1 p.m. Following Saturday’s afternoon race, Round 3 of the 50cc Micro Championship will take place at 4:30 p.m.

Adult (12+) gate admission is $20 for the full weekend and $10 for kids (6-11). Kids five and under are free. All admission includes pro pit access. Local racers are invited to compete at this event, as GNCC Racing offers classes for riders of all skill and experience levels. The amateur racer entry fee is $40 and riders can sign up at the track.

Tune into RacerTV.com on Saturday at 1 p.m. EST to catch LIVE coverage of the Pro ATV race at Round 5. For more information on GNCC Live coverage, visit www.racertv.com.

The 2014 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series resumes this weekend, April 26 and 27, with the Dunlop Limestone 100 GNCC. For more information on the series, visit www.gnccracing.com.

Stay up-to-date with exclusive content from the AMSOIL GNCC Series by following the series Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Previous Round Results:

VP Racing Fuels Big Buck GNCC
Union, S.C.
Round 4 of 13
Saturday, April 12

XC1 Event Results:

  1. Chris Borich (SUZ)
  2. Walker Fowler (YAM)
  3. Chris Bithell (SUZ)
  4. Adam McGill (HON)
  5. Jarrod McClure (HON)
  6. Josh Merritt (YAM)
  7. Braden Henthorn (HON)
  8. Brian Wolf (HON)
  9. Brycen Neal (HON)
  10. Landon Wolfe (SUZ)

*Overall National Championship Standings:

  1. Chris Borich (111)
  2. Walker Fowler (82)
  3. Jarrod McClure (73)
  4. Chris Bithell (64)
  5. Adam McGill (64)
  6. Cole Richardson (47)
  7. Braden Henthorn (47)
  8. Brycen Neal (40)
  9. Landon Wolfe (38)
  10. Johnny Gallagher (35)

*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2014 National Champion.

XC2 Event Results:

  1. Marshal Goings (HON)
  2. Martin Christofferson (HON)
  3. Thomas Koontz (YAM)
  4. Fred Marley (HON)
  5. Brody Livengood (YAM)
  6. James Green (HON)
  7. Randy Hamilton (HON)
  8. Jonathan Fugate (HON)
  9. Blake Kramer (YAM)
  10. Brad Aman (HON)

XC2 Series Standings:

  1. Fred Marley (85)
  2. Cole Richardson (85)
  3. Martin Christofferson (74)
  4. Thomas Koontz (67)
  5. Marshal Goings (65)
  6. James Green (56)
  7. Randy Hamilton (53)
  8. Brody Livengood (51)
  9. Blake Kramer (50)
  10. Jonathan Fugate (45)