by: Chelsea Taylor
Thursday, March 10, 2016 | 1:50 PM
Fowler, Neal and Borich Continue the Battle Heading
into the Maxxis Cannonball GNCC
Lindle Leads the XC2 Battle
The first round of the 42nd Annual AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series (GNCC) presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, took place just last weekend in Palatka, Florida. The series moves north to Sparta, Georgia this weekend, March 12, for the brand-new Maxxis Cannonball GNCC located on the popular Hill Family Farm. With just a quick jump to the next round from Florida to Georgia, N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha/Maxxis/Lonestar/MXP’s Walker Fowler will have to work diligently in order to maintain the points lead ahead of the stacked XC1 Pro field.
Last week’s race seemed to be a Fowler show as he crossed the finish 45 seconds ahead of Coastal Racing/MSR/Maxxis’ Brycen Neal, but Neal proved that he has what it takes to contest for an overall win as he kept consistent lap times against Fowler. However, Fowler reigns as the defending champion and has the knowledge of how to excel in the midst of pressure.
Six-time GNCC National Champion and Maxxis/Fly Racing/HMF/Ye Olde Cycle Barn/Suzuki-backed Chris Borich made quite a statement at the first round where he rounded out the podium in third. Borich made the recent switch back to a Suzuki where he hopes to return to his winning ways and add another National Championship to his resume.
Another rider to keep an eye on this weekend is the JMR/ATVriders.com’s Jarrod McClure. McClure was able to land on the podium last year at both Snowshoe and Ironman, and heads into the race this weekend with his eyes set on the win. McClure is known for his ability to quickly adjust to track conditions and with the Maxxis Cannonball GNCC being new to the circuit, each racer comes into this round on an equal playing field.
The 2015 runner-up and CST/LSR/Induction Solutions/Derisi/SG/Tire Blocks’ Adam McGill struggled to make his way to the top at the opening round, but knows what it takes to run with the front-runners. This weekend’s race will serve as a restart for McGill as he still is a front runner to contend for the championship.
BNR/Moose Racing/Maxxis’ Josh Merritt put in an impressive ride finishing sixth at the Wild Boar GNCC. Merritt is well on his way to a season best finish. Right behind him was GBC/HMF/FLY Racing/Yamaha’s Johnny Gallagher who put in an equally impressive ride. XC1 Pro rookie, Cole Richardson suffered from a concussion in addition to being sick in the Sunshine Sate. The N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha-backed racer will look to improve on his finish at round one.
Higer Suspension/Waynesburg Yamaha/FLY Racing/Moto-Xperts/Spider Graphics’ Greg Covert claimed the first XC2 Pro-Am victory of the season with a commanding lead over Ye Olde Cycle Barn/Walsh/Hetrick Racing’s Westley Wolfe and Independent Cycles/Shockworx Motorsports/Variom’s Matthew Lindle. The Pro-Am championship battle will continue this Saturday during round two.
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 top amateurs and pros race at 1 p.m. Following Saturday’s afternoon race will be 50cc Micro racing taking place at 4:30 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.
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: Colby Clark (Schoolboy Jr. 13-15), Kristen Deloach (WXC), Dwight Pollard (Junior A 22+), Cody Posavec (Junior B 22+), Richard Taylor (Masters 50+) and Dylan Walraven (Super Mini 12-15).
For a complete schedule of the weekend’s activities, please visit the Cannonball GNCC event page on the series website by clicking HERE.
Tune in to RacerTV.com on Saturday at 1 p.m. EST to catch LIVE streaming of the Pro ATV race. For more information on GNCC Live coverage visit www.racertv.com.
For more information on the series, visit the official website at www.gnccracing.comor call (304) 284-0084. Join the conversation on the series Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and be sure to always hashtag #GNCCLIVE.
Previous Round Results and Points Standings
Moose Racing Wild Boar GNCC
Palatka, Florida
Round 1 of 13
Saturday, March 5
XC1 Event Results:
- Walker Fowler (YAM)
- Brycen Neal (YAM)
- Chris Borich (SUZ)
- Jarrod McClure (HON)
- Adam McGill (HON)
- Josh Merritt (YAM)
- Johnny Gallagher (YAM)
- Cole Richardson (YAM)
- Landon Wolfe (HON)
- Jay Shadron (YAM)
*Overall National Championship Standings:
- Walker Fowler (30)
- Brycen Neal (25)
- Chris Borich (21)
- Jarrod McClure (18)
- Adam McGill (16)
- Josh Merritt (15)
- Greg Covert (14)
- Johnny Gallagher (13)
- Cole Richardson (12)
- Landon Wolfe (11)
*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2016 National Champion.
XC2 Event Results:
- Greg Covert (YAM)
- Westley Wolfe (SUZ)
- Matthew Lindle (HON)
- Marty Christofferson (HON)
- Michael Lancaster (HON)
- Cody Collier (YAM)
- Dwight Pollard (HON)
- James Green (HON)
- Rylan Johnson (HON)
- Randy Hamilton (HON)
XC2 Series Standings:
- Greg Covert (20)
- Westley Wolfe (19)
- Matthew Lindle (18)
- Marty Christofferson (17)
- Michael Lancaster (16)
- Cody Collier (15)
- Dwight Pollard (14)
- James Green (13)
- Ryland Johnson (12)
- Randy Hamilton (11)