“We got down in the pro only section with some big rocks on a ridge,” explained Fowler. “And a big section of grape vine went through one a-arm, over the frame rail, under a foot peg, and out the back and it stopped the bike dead. Thankfully a young man named Gage and his friends jumped in and we got the bike flipped over and worked on it for forever, or so it felt like. When I finally got the bike going I was sitting third place in XC2.”

With Fowler now in the back of the pack, McGill focused on setting the pace up front with JMR/ATVriders.com’s Jarrod McClure and GBC/Canyon Motorsports/Fly Racing’s Landon Wolfe following. By the conclusion of the second lap, Chris Borich had worked his way into second with McClure right behind him.

When the race reached its halfway point, Fowler had moved into sixth with McGill still leading the way. At the end of the third lap, McGill, Borich and McClure were within inches of each other, with fourth and fifth not too far behind.

As the leaders approached the hill climb, McGill was still accompanied by Borich, and as they emerged on the motocross track, the top-five were all wheel-to-wheel. Perhaps the biggest update was Fowler sitting in fourth right on the rear wheels of McClure. McGill, Borich, McClure and Fowler stayed in the same order as they raced through the infamous mulch pile.

With only half a lap remaining in the last race, McGill faced issues at a creek crossing allowing Borich to slide by and take the position, but it wasn’t for long as Fowler took an even better line and worked his way to the lead.

“I didn’t have the best start and I just kept pushing and worked my way to the front,” said Borich. “All of a sudden I came up and saw Adam [McGill]. I ended up getting hooked up with McGill and [Jarrod] McClure and we were rolling. On the last lap I passed McGill on a different line, and then Fowler passed me on his line choice.”

Fowler continued pushing until the checkered flag, and Borich and McGill came through scoring with just one second between them in second and third. “My gloves were soaking wet and slick from the vine so I knew it was going to be a long day, but it just goes to prove never give up,” said Fowler. “I knew the track was somewhat technical and that I needed to push once I saw that two-lap card and I was in fifth. I just went all-out and made quick passes and move onto the next rider after rider. When I was finally riding the way I know I could on that last lap everything was working perfect.”

Coastal Racing’s Brycen Neal landed just off the podium in fourth, and McClure fell to fifth on the last lap. ATV Innovations/Solo Pilot’s Westley Wolfe had his best finish of the season with sixth overall, and Landon Wolfe and Dillinger's Celtic Pub/GBC Motorsports/Moose Racing’s Marty Christofferson followed in seventh and eighth.

In the XC2 Pro-Am division, the race was equally exciting where the top three crossed the finish line within seconds of each other. Hygear Suspension’s Greg Covert jumped out to the early lead grabbing the $100 All Balls Racing Holeshot Award. As they finished it would be Ithaca Recreation/Maxxis/Quad Tech/Storm Peak Crossfit’s Hunter Hart taking the win followed by M.R. Unlimited/Hygear Suspension/GBC Tires/Tire Spine’s Devon Feehan. Covert maintained his early lead to finish third in class.

Drew Landers had a hard fought race to earn the College A (16-21) victory along with 17th overall. His finish earned him top amateur honors. Jeffrey Pickens and Steven Covert rounded out the overall amateur podium in the 1 p.m. Pro race.

Right after the conclusion of the 1 p.m. Pro race, the action continued with UTV racing. Can-Am’s Cody Miller took his first win of the season. Defending champion and Miller Brothers Racing/AmPro Yamaha’s Cody Miller put forth his best effort to finish second, with JB Racing/Can-Am’s Tim Farr crossing the line in third.

The 4x4 Pro riders made a clean sweep of the 10 a.m. podium with Can-Am/DJR/QuadBoss-backed Bryan Buckhannon taking the overall after swapping the lead back-and-forth with Cunningham Racing/Can-Am/Maxxis’ Kevin Cunningham who placed second. Team UXC Racing’s Kevin Trantham finished out the overall podium in third.

DeRisi Racing’s Dwight Pollard took overall amateur honors in the 10 a.m. race with fourth overall and the 4x4 A class win.

In the WXC division, Dillinger's Celtic Pub’s Katelyn Osburn landed on the top spot of the podium for the second time this season. Angel Knox and Kamren Bobb finished a respective second and third.

Robert Boynton made the pass for the win on the white flag lap, and secured the points lead with his win. Chris Ferraro followed in second with John Baughman rounding out the overall podium in third.

ATV racing at The John Penton GNCC kicked off with the 8 a.m. youth race with Layne McCormick taking the overall and Super Mini (12-15) victory. Casey Simmons crossed right behind McCormick in second with Carter Holder making his first podium appearance of the season in third.

Both the Pro ATV and UTV races were broadcast LIVE in their entirety on RacerTV.com and can be viewed as archived video online by visiting the GNCC LIVE page. A highlight show featuring the event will air Saturday, October 14 at 2:30 p.m.

AMSOIL GNCC Racing resumes in the fall, September 9 and 10, with the Parts Unlimited Unadilla GNCC in New Berlin, New York.