Both JMR/ATVriders.com/DWT’s Jarrod McClure and N-Fab/Maxxis/AmPro Yamaha/Lonestar/MXP’s Cole Richardson have showcased their desire to win this season, and this weekend could serve for the perfect opportunity for either rider to come out victorious for the first time this season. McClure’s vast skillset and ability to quickly adjust to track conditions will play a role in the podium at the conclusion of the two-hour race. 

The 2015 Powerline Park GNCC marked Richardson’s first XC1 Pro race and after his unfavorable finish Richardson will be looking to improve his finish this weekend. With a full season in the XC1 Pro division now under his belt, Richardson knows he is capable of taking the top spot on the box and with a second and a third place finish so far, the only thing Richardson needs to cap off his season is a win. 

In addition to the duo of McClure and Richardson, Coastal Racing/MSR/Maxxis-backed Brycen Neal is also seeking his first win. Neal’s mechanical issue at the previous round ultimately set him out of a podium finish, but the Ohio native will look to use his home turf knowledge to his advantage. In addition, Neal’s solid top-five finish at last year’s Powerline Park GNCC could serve as the perfect springboard to secure the lead position at this Saturday’s race. 

Once the GNCC season picked back up from the summer break Show Hauler/Canyon Motorsports/GBC’s Landon Wolfe and BNR/Moose Racing/Maxxis’ Josh Merritt both had their own breakout rides. Wolfe scored fifth overall at the Unadilla GNCC, while Merritt placed sixth overall at the Mountaineer Run GNCC. Both riders will be charging hard as they seek their first career podium appearance this weekend. 

The XC2 Pro-Am class was a shakeup from the norm this past weekend, Pierce Performance’s Cody Collier grabbed his second win of the season, while the two title contenders of Goldspeed/Hygear Suspension/Waynesburg Yamaha/Moto-Xperts/Spider Graphix’s Greg Covert and Dillinger's Celtic Pub & Eatery/GBC Motorsports/Moose Racing’s Marty Christofferson were missing from the podium. The fight for the XC2 Pro-Am win this weekend will be anything but predictable between Collier, Covert, Chistofferson, ITP/Ye Olde Cycle Barn/Walsh Racecraft’s Westley Wolfe and JMR/ATVriders.com/DWT’s Randy Hamilton. 

UTV Racing returns to the GNCC lineup this Saturday at 4:00 p.m. with round five of the six-race championship. Can-Am/DWT/Houser Racing/Elka Suspension/HMF’s Cody Miller leads the way in the XC1 Pro class where he has yet to finish off the podium this season. Defending champion, Can-Am/Chaney Racing/CT Race Worx/Maxxis/Fox Shocks’ Kyle Chaney will look to top the box and fend off Miller and JB Off-Road/Can-Am’s Tim Farr. 

Saturday’s race schedule is as follows: Youth ATV racing begins at 8 a.m., Single-Seat UTV racing at 9 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 Side-by-Side 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. 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. To learn more about GNCC Racing please visit the GNCC101 webpage.

Local racers expected to compete next Saturday on ATVs will be: Joey Ocel (Super Mini 12-15), Ayden Konkler (90 8-12), Sydney Cain (Super Mini 12-15), Kevin Yoho (XC2 Pro-Am), William Brown (4x4 C), Travis Winter (35+ C), Kylie Ahart (WXC), siblings Josh (XC1 Pro) and Kara Merritt (WXC), Evan Timko (Junior B 22+), Kenny Rich Sr. (Masters 50+), brothers Joey (College B 16-21) and Jared Lambright (Schoolboy Jr. 13-15), Cacey Moore (16-18 C), Braden Henthorn (XC2 Pro-Am), Cody Collier (XC2 Pro-Am), Noah Landis (Junior A 22+), Nathan Hornacek (Junior A 22+) and Adam Reed (Vet A 28+).