Even with those impressive records, Fowler still trails Chris Borich in overall race wins by 36. As the 2017 season comes to a close it marks the third season that Borich hasn’t stood in the middle of the box at the end of a race. With 10 top-five finishes accredited to him just this year, Borich continues to show promise in ending his bad luck. The Ironman Raceway facility holds a special place in Borich’s heart after he was awarded his sixth title on the property in 2014, and he will aim to end his bad luck streak in Indiana this weekend. 

As the season comes to a close, the racing intensity remains at an all-time high. JMR/ATVriders.com’s Jarrod McClure took home the win at last year’s Ironman event and is eager to repeat his success this weekend. With only one race remaining this could serve as the perfect opportunity for McClure to challenge not only his competitors, but also himself, as he strives to change his results and return to his winning ways.

Coastal Racing’s Brycen Neal will also be a challenger for the season finale win. Neal is closing in on his fourth full-time XC1 Pro season of the year and is closer than ever to claiming his first career overall victory. With seven podium finishes just this year, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if Neal came out of the Indiana woods victorious this Saturday.

GBC/Canyon Motorsports/Fly Racing’s Landon Wolfe is known for his strong showing at previous Ironman GNCC events where he scored a podium finish in 2016. Now, one year later, L Wolfe is eager to stand in the middle of the box at the conclusion of the two-hour race. L Wolfe’s diligent racing strategies will be something to keep an eye on.

After a disappointing last couple of rounds, CST/Induction Solutions/LSR/HiPer/Spider Graphix’s Adam McGill will be looking for redemption this weekend. The West Virginia native knows the taste of victory and will do anything to make it happen at the finale. With only one round remaining McGill will be a man on a mission beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

As the 2017 season comes to a close so does the rookie year for ATV Innovations/Solo Pilot’s Westley Wolfe. W Wolfe has shown a great deal of improvement this season, and although he sits outside the top ten overall, W Wolfe hopes to cap off his first year in the XC1 Pro class with his first podium finish.

Only one person has been able to top Fowler this year, and GBC/Fly Racing/HMF/Yamaha’s Johnny Gallagher has had a record season. After claiming his first-ever overall win Gallagher sits tied for ninth in points with Dillinger's Celtic Pub/GBC Motorsports/Moose Racing’s Marty Christofferson.

The highly anticipated XC2 Pro-Am championship comes down to the wire this Saturday with only 13 points between M.R. Unlimited/Hygear Suspension/GBC Tires/Tire Spine’s Devon Feehan and runner-up Hunter Hart. Hart has taken his Ithaca Recreation/Maxxis/Quad Tech/Storm Peak Crossfit-backed machine to the center of the podium five times this year – just as often as Feehan. The New York Boys are sitting ranked an impressive seventh and eighth overall and all eyes will be on the second row as the class rookies battle it out for the title.

Another battle that comes down to the last round is the UTV National Championship. Defending champion and Miller Brothers Racing/AmPro Yamaha’s Cody Miller has a three-point lead in the standings. Cody’s older brother, Hunter, sits within striking distance on his Can-Am machine. Although he has yet to win this year, Cody’s consistency could play a role for the title as the Miller Brothers are sure to put on a show for fans on Saturday afternoon.

Cunningham Racing/Can-Am/Maxxis-backed Kevin Cunningham heads into his hometown race as the 2017 4x4 ATV Pro National Champion. With the national title in hand, Cunningham is sure to be a top competitor for the class win, as he goes up against Team UXC Racing’s Kevin Trantham who comes into this round with a five-race podium streak. Can-Am/DJR/QuadBoss-backed Bryan Buckhannon and DeRisi Racing/Tire Spine/Can-Am/Goldspeed’s Robbie Pecorari will also be contesting for the 4x4 Pro win at the season finale.

The WXC class remains anything but predictable where only one point separates Pirate MX/Axis/Texiera Tech’s Angel Knox and Yamaha’s Traci Pickens. Both former champions in the class, the ladies will go head-to-head for championship, just as they’ve done all season.

GNCC Racing encourages spectators to show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness by dressing in pink all weekend long. The race facility will be adorned in pink, including a pink-themed podium backdrop, t-shirts and much more. HBD MotoGrafx will also sell exclusive GNCC breast cancer awareness themed stickers at Rider Registration for a minimum $1 donation, with contributions going to the Montgomery County Free Clinic (MCFC), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free mammogram examinations to the Crawfordsville and Montgomery County region. In addition, Yamaha will donate $50 for each class win at the Ironman GNCC by a Yamaha rider, and $100 for each 2017 National Championship clinched on a Yamaha. 

Zakowski Motorsports will again be at Ironman Raceway for their annual breast cancer awareness campaign. Their popular $10 t-shirt line will return with all-new designs, in addition to hoodies and a large assortment of miscellaneous “pink” items. Over the past few years, Zakowski Motorsports has donated over $71,000 to various breast cancer awareness organizations. For the first time ever, Zakowski Motorsports will team up with Walker Fowler Racing to sell limited edition autographed Walker Fowler t-shirts for $20, with all proceeds from the entire collection going to breast cancer research. Make sure to keep an eye out for the neon pink canopy near Pro Row as they try and meet their fundraising goal of $20,500.

This event weekend is co-sanctioned with IXCR,  a series that produces local racing events in Indiana, and will ultimately bring out a full slate of local racers. Local riders are invited and encouraged to compete in the event, 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, refer to the GNCC 101 webpage.

Local racers expected to compete this Saturday on ATVs will be: Ty McGaughey (90 Limited 8-12), Kaden Cloncs (Schoolboy Jr. 13-15), Bryce (Schoolboy Jr. 13-15) and his brother Jase Cooper (90 Limited 8-12), Brady Thornburg (70 CVT 6-11), Dalen Lane (70 CVT 6-11), Matthew Blankenship (Schoolboy Sr. 14-17), Quinn Bergman (70 CVT 6-11), John Williams (125 Sr. 12-15), Shane Watterson (4x4 Senior 40+), wife Stephanie (Women Amateur) and husband Austin Parks (4x4 A), Hailey (Women Amatuer) and her sister Courtney France (Women Amateur), Tanner Greene (Schoolboy Sr. 14-17), Justin Brown (4x4 C), Kevin Cunningham (4x4 Pro), Austin Bratcher (125 Sr. 12-15), David Pipasquale (4x4 C), Denver Shaw (Sportsman A/B), Alan Daniels (16-18 C), Julia Oneal (Women Amateur), Ethan Meyer (Schoolboy Sr. 14-17), Aaran Greenwell (Schoolboy Sr. 14-17), Michael Anderson (College B 16-21), Daulton (Super Mini 12-15) and his sister Alexis Keyes (Girls 8-15), Keegan Babich-Raab (90 8-12), Andrew Hering (College A 16-21), Tyler Swindle (College A 16-21), Nick Royalty (College A 16-21) and Austin Abney (XC2 Pro-Am).

Tune into RacerTV.com this Saturday at 1 p.m. EST to catch LIVE streaming coverage of the Pro ATV race, and again at 4 p.m. for more four-wheeled racing action with the thrilling UTV 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, December 10 at 5:00 p.m., and again on Wednesday, December 20 at 4:30 p.m.

To get to the track from Indianapolis take I-74 W to Exit 39 for IN-32 W to Crawfordsville. Then turn right onto East Market Street, and proceed until making a left onto N Washington Street. Turn right onto IN-47 S/W South Boulevard, take a right onto County Road 200 S and the track entrance will be on the left.  

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 4x4 Pro, amateurs and women at 10 a.m., and the pros and top amateurs 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. Trick-or-treating will kick off the Saturday night festivities at 5 p.m., with the Team Faith costume contest at 6 p.m. and chapel service following at 7 p.m. The popular JJ Lawhorn will take the stage at 9 p.m., with a mechanical bull and beer tent accompanying the show. Lastly, each podium finisher will autograph the special pink backdrop through the weekend, and the backdrop will be auctioned off Saturday night during the show with all proceeds being donated to MCFC.