GNCC Racing

Russell and Duvall Set to Battle at AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC

Russell and Duvall Set to Battle at AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC

Thursday, June 21, 2018 | 2:30 PM
by:
Thursday, June 21, 2018 | 2:30 PM

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Russell and Duvall Set to Battle at AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC
Josh Toth Aims For Overall Podium Finish

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (June 21, 2018) – The 2018 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series, an AMA National Championship, heads to the scenic Snowshoe Mountain this weekend, June 23 and 24 for the 12th Annual AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC. The Snowshoe GNCC is known for being “America’s toughest race” and the world’s most talented motorcycle off-road racers will tackle the rough and rugged terrain this Sunday for round nine of the GNCC circuit.

Kailub Russell is aiming to take his seventh win of the season.
Kailub Russell is aiming to take his seventh win of the season. Ken Hill

FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell remains in control of the points lead after earning his first Tomahawk GNCC win two weeks ago in New York. As the series heads into the final round before GNCC Summer Break, K. Russell is looking to earn his seventh win of the season.

Sitting 24 points behind K. Russell is Rockstar Energy/Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Thad Duvall. After earning two wins thus far in the season, Duvall has been proving that he is capable of becoming a National Champion. After finishing in the third-place position in New York, Duvall is eager to battle for his third overall win in his home state of West Virginia.

JCR/Honda’s Trevor Bollinger was applying the pressure to K. Russell at round eight for the duration of the three-hour race, ultimately finishing second overall. This was Bollinger’s second podium appearance of 2018, therefore making him one to keep an eye on this weekend.

Trevor Bollinger is hoping for to earn his first overall win of the season this Sunday.
Trevor Bollinger is hoping for to earn his first overall win of the season this Sunday. Ken Hill

After a mechanical issue forced him out of the race after just five laps, Tely Energy Racing/KTM’s Steward Baylor Jr. is looking forward to a better race come this Sunday afternoon. However, after suffering from an intermediate tear to his MCL this past weekend it seems as though Baylor Jr. will be pushing through some pain as he tries to tackle the Snowshoe Mountain.

Rockstar Energy/Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Josh Strang has had two great back-to-back performances after finishing second at round seven and a fourth at round eight. Strang is hoping for another podium finish before the GNCC Series takes its summer break. After earning the win at Snowshoe back in 2011, Strang is looking to return to the center of the podium.

Ricky Russell is hoping for redemption this Sunday, and to once again land on the podium.
Ricky Russell is hoping for redemption this Sunday, and to once again land on the podium. Ken Hill

Last year’s Snowshoe Winner AmPro Yamaha’s Ricky Russell did not have the start to the season he hoped for. As mechanical issues left him out of the top 10 at the first four rounds, R. Russell rebounded for a third place finish at Camp Coker. This Sunday R. Russell is hoping to conquer the mountain once again and stand in the center of the stage.

FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Josh Toth has been on a winning streak in the XC2 250 Pro class, with four-straight victories. However, Trail Jesters/KTM’s Ben Kelley remains at the top with the points lead. Toth put in a great ride at Snowshoe last year, finishing second overall. This year Toth is hoping to once again land on the overall podium and earn valuable points towards defending his XC2 championship.

Coastal Racing/Husqvarna Teammates Craig Delong and Pascal Rauchenecker currently hold the third and fourth spots in the XC2 250 Pro class. Delong has finished on the podium at the last three events but is hoping to stand in the center after the race this Sunday. Rauchenecker suffered a hand injury and missed round seven, but he is back now and ready to battle at the front of the pack this weekend. M&E Honda/Fly Racing/Alpinestar Austin Lee rounds out the top five in the XC2 250 Pro class.

XC2 250 Pro rider, Pascal Rauchenecker is back from injury and eager to earn his first class win of the season.
XC2 250 Pro rider, Pascal Rauchenecker is back from injury and eager to earn his first class win of the season. Ken Hill

On Sunday, June 24, the motorcycles will take to the woods of West Virginia following the same race schedule of youth racing action starting the day off at 8 a.m., women and amateur riders race at 10 a.m. and the pros and top amateurs will start at 1 p.m.

This event will also play host to GNCC's second Fantic eMTB race on Friday, June 22 at 6 p.m. Fantic eMTB Racing will feature 7 classes, with no pre-qualifying: Pro, Schoolboy (12-18), Junior (19-29), Vet (30-39), Senior (40-49), Masters (50+) and Women. Class 1 Pedal Assist Bicycles with a motor powered speed of 20 mph and motor wattage of <=750 watts eligible only. Bicycle helmet and eye protection are required.

Local riders expected to compete this weekend on motorcycles will be local racers Kenny Hawkins (Super Senior A 45+), Thad Workman (Open B), Corey Tolliver (Vet C 30+), Wesley Lantz (Senior C 40+), Tyler Titchnell (250 C College 18-24), Billy Evans (Super Senior C 45+), Garrett George (4-Stroke B Lites), Scott Haynes (Masters B 50+), Paul Leftwich (Masters C 50+), Landon Tharp (65 10-11), Sean Wishart (Super Senior C 45+), Michael Gum (Open C College 16-24), Thomas Alkire (250 C Jr. 25+), Kasey Belt (Junior A/B 25+), Matt Bruffey (Open B) and Kiefer Galiano (65 7-9).

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 $50, and riders can sign up at the track or pre-enter. To learn more about GNCC Racing, refer to the GNCC 101 webpage.

The FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am has had some great battles, Jesse Ansley is looking to earn another win.
The FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am has had some great battles, Jesse Ansley is looking to earn another win. Ken Hill

Adult (12+) gate admission is $25 for the full weekend and $15 for kids (6-11), with kids five and under free for the full weekend. Gate admission includes pro pit access and pro autographs at no additional charge in addition to a free ski lift ticket, so fans can enjoy the race action below as they glide through the sky.

For a complete schedule of the weekend’s activities including live music, a graduation commencement, mountain biking and more, please visit the AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC event page on the series website by clicking HERE.

The 1 p.m. Bike Pro race was broadcast LIVE in its entirety on RacerTV.com and can be viewed as archived video online by visiting the GNCC LIVE page online. A highlight show featuring the event will be aired on the NBC Sports Network on Saturday, July 28 at 1:00 p.m.

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

Dunlop Tomahawk
Odessa, New York
Round 8 of 13
Sunday, June 10

XC1 Open Pro Event Results:

  1. Kailub Russell (KTM)
  2. Trevor Bollinger (HON)
  3. Thad Duvall (HQV)
  4. Josh Strang (HQV)
  5. Ricky Russell (YAM)
  6. Layne Michael (HQV)
  7. Andrew Delong (GAS)
  8. Jordan Ashburn (BET)
  9. Ryan Sipes (HQV)
  10. Jesse Groemm (KTM)

*Overall National Championship Standings:

  1. Kailub Russell (226)
  2. Thad Duvall (202)
  3. Trevor Bollinger (143)
  4. Steward Baylor Jr. (135)
  5. Josh Strang (129)
  6. Ben Kelley (116)
  7. Josh Toth (105)
  8. Ricky Russell (94)
  9. Craig Delong (72)
  10. Jordan Ashburn (66)

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

XC2 250 Pro Event Results:

  1. Josh Toth (KTM)
  2. Craig Delong (HQV)
  3. Pascal Rauchenecker (HQV)
  4. Ben Kelley (KTM)
  5. Liam Draper (HQV)
  6. Jonathan Johnson (YAM)
  7. Ryder Lafferty (KTM)
  8. Evan Smith (HQV)
  9. Austin Lee (HON)
  10. Michael Witkowski (BET)

XC2 250 Pro Series Standings:

  1. Ben Kelley (208)
  2. Josh Toth (200)
  3. Craig Delong (142)
  4. Pascal Rauchenecker (133)
  5. Austin Lee (113)
  6. Evan Smith (102)
  7. Liam Draper (98)
  8. Jonathan Johnson (90)
  9. Nick Davis (82)
  10. Michael Witkowski (77)

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.