GNCC Racing

Thad Duvall Gunning for Second Win of the Season at CST Tires Camp Coker GNCC

Thad Duvall Gunning for Second Win of the Season at CST Tires Camp Coker GNCC

Wednesday, April 18, 2018 | 3:55 PM
by:
Wednesday, April 18, 2018 | 3:55 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(304) 284-0084
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Thad Duvall Gunning for Second Win of the Season
at CST Tires Camp Coker GNCC
Ben Kelley Hoping to Earn Fourth Consecutive Win in XC2 250 Pro

MORGANTOWN, W.Va (April 18, 2018) – Rockstar Energy/Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Thad Duvall recently secured his first win of the 2018 AMSOIL Grand National Cross County (GNCC) Series, an AMA National Championship, minimizing the points lead that FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell had built through the first three rounds. This weekend, April 21 and 22, the GNCC Racing circuit heads to Moree’s Sportman’s Preserve in Society Hill, South Carolina for the 3rd Annual CST Tires Camp Coker Bullet GNCC. 

With the weather forecast looking to be sunny and temperatures in the low 70’s, it’s easy to say that hydration will be key this weekend. However, one thing that remains uncertain is just how this race will unfold. K. Russell has his focus set on earning his sixth-straight National Championship, but he is going to have some difficult competition this year from the Husqvarna-backed rider, Duvall. After earning the win at Steele Creek two weeks ago, Duvall is looking to keep his momentum rolling into South Carolina this Sunday.

Thad Duvall is hoping to keep his success going, and earn his second win of the season.
Thad Duvall is hoping to keep his success going, and earn his second win of the season. Ken Hill

Hailing from Belton, South Carolina, just three hours west of Society Hill, are the Tely Energy Racing/KTM teammates and brothers, Steward and Grant Baylor. Steward Baylor Jr. has had a consistent start to the 2018 season, finishing on the podium at the first three rounds. After a rough round four and finishing off the podium, S. Baylor will be aiming to make his way back onto the podium. After undergoing shoulder surgery during the off-season, Grant Baylor hasn’t had the best of luck coming into season thus far. Mechanical issues kept him from finishing the race at round four, and he is now facing a hand injury sustained while practicing.

JCR Honda’s Trevor Bollinger battled at the front of the pack at round four, and finished third overall in his hometown of Morganton, North Carolina. After the excitement of earning his first podium of the season in front of family and friends, Bollinger will once again be eager to fight for a top three finish.

Rockstar Energy/Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Josh Strang finished in the fifth place position at round four, and is currently sixth overall in the points championship. Strang is hoping to earn valuable championship points this weekend by making his first podium appearance of the season. KR4/Husqvarna’s Layne Michael is currently ranked seventh in the points championship, but as the season continues Michael will strive to break into the top three.

After finishing fourth at the last round, Steward Baylor Jr. is looking to return to the podium this weekend.
After finishing fourth at the last round, Steward Baylor Jr. is looking to return to the podium this weekend. Ken Hill

Beta USA’s Jordan Ashburn has been steadily improving throughout the first four rounds, finishing sixth just two weeks ago. This is Ashburn’s second year aboard Beta, and he is hoping to contend for a top five finish at the upcoming rounds. AmPro Yamaha’s Ricky Russell has started each round strong, battling at the front of the XC1 pack. However, misfortune and mechanical issues have been a setback for R. Russell this year. As we head into round five, R. Russell will be looking to put the past four rounds behind him and battle at the front for the duration of the three-hour race.

Trail Jesters/KTM’s Ben Kelley has three-consecutive wins, and leads the way in the XC2 250 Pro class points standings. Kelley currently tops Coastal Racing/Husqvarna’s Pascal Rauchenecker and defending XC2 250 Pro Champion, FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Josh Toth in the series standings. Sitting just outside of the top three is Coastal Racing/Husqvarna’s Craig Delong. Delong has finished fourth at the past three events, but will be competing to finish on the box this Sunday.

In the FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class it’s FMF/Maxxis/RPM KTM’s Jesse Ansley controlling the points lead. MCS Racing’s Cody Barnes sits 10 points behind Ansley in second, with Raines Riding University’s Jason Raines holding onto the third place position. Nevertheless, just two weeks ago it was Ansley taking the win in the FMF XC3 class, his second of the season, followed by Chris Venditti in second and Coastal Racing/Husqvarna’s Alex Teagarden rounding out the podium.

Craig Delong will be battling for his first podium finish of the season in the XC2 250 Pro class this Sunday. 
Craig Delong will be battling for his first podium finish of the season in the XC2 250 Pro class this Sunday.  Ken Hill

The event will also treat fans to a live concert, as Monster Energy proudly presents The New Black Seven at the Camp Coker GNCC on Saturday, April 21st at 8:30 p.m. Admission to the concert is included with your wristband. Gate Admission for Adults (12 and over) is only $20, Kids (6-11) $10 and 5 and under get in free! Come watch the fastest off-road racers in the world battle at Moree's Sportsman's Preserve and rock out with The New Black Seven. Gate admission also includes pro pit access and pro autographs at no additional charge.

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.

The event is co-sanctioned with SETRA, a series that produces local racing events in the southeast, and will ultimately bring out a full slate of local racers. All 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 only $50 and riders can sign up at the event. To learn more about GNCC Racing, refer to the GNCC 101 webpage.

Local racers expected to compete this Sunday will be John Campbell (250 A), Robert Case (Super Senior B), Jeff Galbraith (Senior B), David Graham (Masters C), Johnny Campbell (Masters A), Terrell Holloway (Masters B), Cameron Holloway (Open C College), Kevin Holt (Super Senior C), Austin Johnson (Trail Rider 7-15), Scott Johnson (Masters A), Shakeem Johnson (250 C College), Brianna May (WXC), Raymie Segars (200 C Schoolboy 12-15), Mendal Nettles (Sportsman B), Nolan Osteen (200 C Schoolboy 12-15), Devin Pomianowski (Open B), Andrew Segars (85 7-11), Kendall LaFollette (WXC), Chad LaFollette (4 Stroke B Lites), JC Mabes (Super Senior C), Josh McCoy (200 B), Cole Mattison (XC2), JoJo Mattison (200 C Schoolboy), Rivers Morris (65 10-11), Kennie Webb (Super Vet C) and Christopher Venditti (FMF XC3).

Mr. Henry is at it again, and the Camp Coker Swimming Hole is getting a makeover.
Mr. Henry is at it again, and the Camp Coker Swimming Hole is getting a makeover. Ken Hill

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 3 at 3:00 p.m.

The 2018 AMSOIL GNCC series heads to Society Hill, South Carolina this weekend, April 21 and 22, for the CST Tires Camp Coker Bullet GNCC. For a complete schedule of the weekend’s activities, please visit the Camp Coker Bullet GNCC event page on the series website by clicking HERE.

For more information on the GNCC 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

FMF Steele Creek GNCC
Morganton, North Carolina
Round 4 of 13
Sunday, April 8

XC1 Open Pro Event Results:

  1. Thad Duvall (HQV)
  2. Kailub Russell (KTM)
  3. Trevor Bollinger (HON)
  4. Steward Baylor Jr. (KTM)
  5. Josh Strang (HQV)
  6. Jordan Ashburn (BET)
  7. Layne Michael (HQV)
  8. Ricky Russell (YAM)
  9. Cory Buttrick (HQV)
  10. Jesse Groemm (KTM)

*Overall National Championship Standings:

  1. Kailub Russell (115)
  2. Thad Duvall (101)
  3. Steward Baylor Jr. (83)
  4. Trevor Bollinger (72)
  5. Ben Kelley (65)
  6. Josh Strang (58)
  7. Layne Michael (52)
  8. Pascal Rauchenecker (48)
  9. Josh Toth (46)
  10. Craig Delong (36)

*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2018 National Champion.

XC2 250 Pro Event Results:

  1. Ben Kelley (KTM)
  2. Josh Toth (KTM)
  3. Pascal Rauchenecker (HQV)
  4. Craig Delong (HQV)
  5. Liam Draper (HQV)
  6. Nick Davis (GAS)
  7. Michael Witkowski (BET)
  8. Trevor Barrett (HQV)
  9. Evan Smith (HQV)
  10. Scott Grills (HQV)

XC2 250 Pro Series Standings:

  1. Ben Kelley (115)
  2. Pascal Rauchnecker (88)
  3. Josh Toth (80)
  4. Craig Delong (70)
  5. Liam Draper (51)
  6. Austin Lee (44)
  7. Evan Smith (43)
  8. Nick Davis (40)
  9. Zack Hayes (39)
  10. Jonathan Johnson (38)

About GNCC Racing
The AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series is America's premier off-road racing series. Founded in 1975, the 13-round championship is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross-country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The grueling three-hour GNCC races lead as many as 2,400 riders through tracks ranging in length from eight to 12 miles. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. The series draws talent from all over the U.S., Central America, South America, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. GNCC Racing is televised weekly on NBC Sports and RacerTV.com. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com.

How to Watch
Racer TV and NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) are the official homes for coverage of the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) events. All 13 rounds, from the season opening Big Buck GNCC in South Carolina to the finale at Ironman Raceway in Indiana, will air in 30-minue; taped-delayed telecasts on NBCSN, while Racer TV provides live streaming coverage of the 1 p.m. ATV and motorcycle races from each event, in addition to the six UTV rounds. Catch all the action at http://www.nbcsports.com/ and http://www.racertv.com/.

About the American Motorcyclist Association 
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world's largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders' interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com. Not a member? Join the AMA today: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/membership/join.