GNCC Racing

Kailub Russell and Thad Duvall Look to Continue the Battle at the FMF Steele Creek GNCC

Kailub Russell and Thad Duvall Look to Continue the Battle at the FMF Steele Creek GNCC

Wednesday, April 5, 2017 | 11:15 AM
by:
Wednesday, April 5, 2017 | 11:15 AM

The 2017 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, moves to Morganton, North Carolina this weekend, April 8 and 9, for Round 4 of the 13-race championship series. With two consecutive wins behind him already, FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell looks to make it three-in-a-row at this weekend’s FMF Steele Creek GNCC, an event that is now considered his home race. 

Russell mentioned on the podium at the Cannonball GNCC that his team would be going back to the drawing board before North Carolina. Each racer who came off the track looked like they gave it their all at the Cannonball GNCC, Russell had an especially tough time post-race. Russell crossed the finish line victorious, but there was no celebration, where he later reported that he was dealing with stomach cramps that occurred mid-race. With only two weeks to figure out the cause, Russell’s competitors will be looking to capitalize on his misfortune.

Kailub Russell heads into his home race looking to stay focused as he starts to feel pressure from his competitors. 
Kailub Russell heads into his home race looking to stay focused as he starts to feel pressure from his competitors.  Ken Hill

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.  

Ricky Russell has had a solid start to the season, and will be a top podium contender this weekend at the FMF Steele Creek GNCC.
Ricky Russell has had a solid start to the season, and will be a top podium contender this weekend at the FMF Steele Creek GNCC. Ken Hill

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.

After a XC2 250 Pro podium in Georgia, Jesse Groemm heads into this weekend's race looking to take the top spot on the box from Josh Toth.
After a XC2 250 Pro podium in Georgia, Jesse Groemm heads into this weekend's race looking to take the top spot on the box from Josh Toth. Ken Hill

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.

Morganton native, Trevor Bollinger, will be someone to keep an eye on as he competes at his home race this weekend.
Morganton native, Trevor Bollinger, will be someone to keep an eye on as he competes at his home race this weekend. Ken Hill

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.

Zack Davidson leads the youth overall ranks, and will travel to his home round looking to make it four-in-a-row.
Zack Davidson leads the youth overall ranks, and will travel to his home round looking to make it four-in-a-row. Ken Hill

The 2017 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series heads to Morganton, North Carolina this weekend, April 8 and 9, for the FMF Steele Creek GNCC. For a complete schedule of the weekend’s activities, please visit the Steele Creek GNCC event page on the series website by clicking HERE.

For more information on the series, visit the official website at www.gnccracing.com or call (304) 284-0084. Join the conversation on the series Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and be sure to always hashtag #GNCC. 

Previous Round Results and Points Standings

Maxxis Cannonball GNCC
Sparta, Georgia
Round 3 of 13
Sunday, March 26

XC1 Open Pro Event Results:

  1. Kailub Russell (KTM)
  2. Thad Duvall (HSQ)
  3. Steward Baylor (KTM)
  4. Jordan Ashburn (YAM)
  5. Trevor Bollinger (HON)
  6. Josh Strang (HSQ)
  7. Ricky Russell (YAM)
  8. Grant Baylor (HSQ)
  9. Chris Bach (KTM)
  10. Cory Buttrick (KTM)

*Overall National Championship Standings:

  1. Kailub Russell (85)
  2. Steward Baylor (72)
  3. Thad Duvall (50)
  4. Josh Toth (48)
  5. Ricky Russell (43)
  6. Chris Bach (38)
  7. Trevor Bollinger (32)
  8. Russell Bobbitt (31)
  9. Grant Baylor (30)
  10. Mike Witkowski (30)

*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2017 National Champion. 

XC2 250 Pro Event Results:

  1. Josh Toth (YAM)
  2. Michael Witkowski (KTM)
  3. Jesse Groemm (KTM)
  4. Zack Hayes (KTM)
  5. Trevor Barrett (YAM)
  6. Craig Delong (HSQ)
  7. Evan Smith (KTM)
  8. Austin Lee (HON)
  9. Layne Michael (HSQ)
  10. Brendan Riordan (YAM) 

XC2 250 Pro Series Standings:

  1. Josh Toth (90)
  2. Craig Delong (61)
  3. Mike Witkowski (58)
  4. Layne Michael (58)
  5. Jesse Groemm (52)
  6. Zack Hayes (43)
  7. Austin Lee (41)
  8. Benjamin Kelley (36)
  9. Jesper Borjessen (30)
  10. Trevor Barrett (25)