Coming off a three-race winning streak, Russell’s confidence is at an all-time high as the series begins to wind down to the final four rounds of racing. Russell, the 2013 National Champion, will continue his bid for a second straight title in the XC1 Pro class but first, he must do battle against the world’s fastest off-road racers through some of the most grueling obstacles in the woods.

Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Josh Strang currently sits third in the championship standings, where he diligently works toward surpassing FMF/KTM’s Charlie Mullins for the second place position. Mullins, who has missed a substantial amount of the season due to injury, is no longer in the championship chase but the 2011 National Champion is expected to make an appearance before the season is over. Strang has a slew of third place finishes behind him and the 2010 National Champ is looking for his first win of the season in the final four rounds.

Coming off arguably the best ride of his professional career at Snowshoe, N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Jordan Ashburn isn’t far behind Strang with fourth place in the championship standings. Ashburn has finished inside the top ten at every round thus far, with four top-five finishes through the last four rounds.

The young Grant Baylor, who currently leads the XC2 Pro Lites championship standings, has been successful in challenging the overall leaders with two second place overall finishes thus far. The KTM Support rider currently sits fifth place in the overall championship standings, where he continues to fight for a second straight championship in the XC2 class.

N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Paul Whibley currently sits back in sixth overall in the championship standings. The two-time GNCC National Champion has experienced a few set backs this season with minor injuries along the way but with a healthy break over the summer, Whibley is expected to be a tough competitor in the final four rounds. 

Raines Riding University/Atlas Cycles’ Ricky Russell sits within striking distance of Grant Baylor in the XC2 Pro Lites Championship chase. The young duo has traded race wins back and forth all season but Baylor’s two-race winning streak has given him a little more advantage coming back from the summer break.

With one victory behind him, XC2 Pro Lites rookie Trevor Bollinger currently sits third in the class standings. Bollinger has put forth a solid and consistent season, landing inside the top ten at each round thus far. RideMPS.com/AMSOIL Honda’s Layne Michael sits in the fourth place spot and KR4 Arrive-N-Ride’s Shane Hufford rounds out the top five.

Factory FMF/KTM’s Kacy Martinez wrapped up the WXC Championship four rounds early at Snowshoe, but the 2014 champ will continue to fight for overall victories in the 10 a.m. race. Ohio’s Mandi Mastin continues to hold the second place position in WXC, just two points ahead of N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Becca Sheets in third.