by: Kayla Bolton
Friday, June 21, 2019 | 2:00 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kayla Bolton
(304) 284-0084
[email protected]
Kailub Russell and Thad Duvall Set to Battle on
The Mountain at 13th Annual AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC
Kelley Looks to Earn Eighth-Straight Win in XC2 250 Pro
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (June 21, 2019) – On Sunday, June 23, round eight of the 2019 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series presented by Specialized, an AMA National Championship, will continue with motorcycle racing taking place at the 13th Annual AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC in Snowshoe, West Virginia.
Continuing to hold onto first in the overall points standings is FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell. As the series heads into its eighth round, Russell has earned four overall wins. Russell is focused on earning his fifth overall win this season, and sixth win at Snowshoe Mountain Resort.
Rockstar Energy/Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Thad Duvall is aiming for redemption this weekend after injuring his wrist just one year ago on the mountain. Duvall already has two overall wins under his belt this season, but he is eager to get back to the center of the podium especially in his home state of West Virginia.
Another rider who has already earned an overall win this season is Tely Energy Racing/KTM’s Steward Baylor. As Baylor comes into this weekend’s Snowshoe GNCC, he will be looking to once again run at the front the pack and battle for his second overall win of the season. Anything is possible in off-road racing, and that especially goes for off-road racing at the Snowshoe Mountain Resort.
Rockstar Energy/Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Trevor Bollinger comes into this race after a fifth overall in New York. Bollinger, who finished third overall last season at Snowshoe, is aiming to take back a podium position. However, Bollinger also has his sights set on earning his first overall win as he has been close to earning that victory at multiple races. Bollinger will be one to keep an eye on Sunday afternoon as he makes his way through the rugged three-hour race.
Working his way through the pack since his return has been AmPro Yamaha/Moose Racing/Parts Unlimited-backed rider Ricky Russell. This weekend Russell is looking to battle up front once again. After earning his first-ever win at Snowshoe two years ago, Russell knows he has what it takes to run up front.
At the previous round Husqvarna/FXR/Thornhill Automotive-backed rider, Cory Buttrick put in his best finish of the season with an eighth overall. Buttrick came through earlier in the year as a fill-in rider, but has returned to his Husqvarna motorcycle and is now aiming to earn a top five finish this weekend.
Unfortunately for FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Josh Toth, he will not be lining up at this weekend’s Snowshoe GNCC. Toth suffered a broken tibia and fibula in his right leg and has undergone surgery to fix it. Everyone with the GNCC Series is hoping for a speedy recovery for Toth.
Phoenix Honda Racing’s Andrew Delong has been having a good year as he currently sits eighth in the points standings. This weekend Delong will aim to break back into the top 10 overall. Babbitt’s Online/Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Josh Strang will be looking to improve his standings after a 12th overall at the previous round. Strang’s teammate Jordan Ashburn will also be looking to finish the race this weekend after having a mechanical issue at the past two events.
In the XC2 250 Pro class, Trail Jesters KTM’s Ben Kelley continues to lead the way after earning his seventh straight win two weeks ago in New York. Kelley claimed third overall at the previous round, and will now start on the first row this weekend. This weekend he will be aiming to earn his eighth straight class win and possibly battle for his first-ever overall win.
Coastal Racing/Husqvarna’s Craig Delong has finished second in class at the last three rounds, Delong is hoping to battle at the front with Kelley and put an end to his win streak on Sunday afternoon. Beta USA Factory Racing’s Michael Witkowski rounded out the podium in New York, and currently sits second in the XC2 250 Pro class points standings. Witkowski is looking to battle at the front of his class once again and conquer the mountain.
Trail Jesters KTM’s Jesse Ansley came through second in the FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class at the previous round, with Beta USA Factory Racing’s Cody Barnes right behind him. Barnes holds onto the lead in the points standings, but both him and Ansley will be aiming to earn the win this weekend.
Expected to compete this weekend on motorcycles this weekend will be Blake Barker (250 C College 18-24), Brier Burgess (250 C Schoolboy 14-17), Tyler Braniff (250 A), Ranger Burgess (85cc 7-11), Thad Duvall (XC1 Open Pro), Samuel Evans (XC2 250 Pro), Peyton Feather (85cc 7-11), Kenny Hawkins (Masters 50+), Landon Tharp (85cc 7-11), Kasey Belt (Sportsman B), Kevin Belt (Masters C 50+), Matt Bruffey (Junior A/B 25+), Kiefer Galiano (65cc 10-11), Joseph Peck (85cc 7-11), Michael Peck (Vet C 30+), Michael Gum (Open C College 16-24), Junior Smith (Open B), Sean Wishart (Super Senior C 45+), Isaac Cole (Open C College 16-24), Jameson Hardy (Open C College 16-24), Steve Lambruno (Vet A 30+), Rick Liller (Senior C 40+), Colton Meadows (65cc 7-9), Brenden Poling (250 A), Brady Myers (Open A), Brian Schell (Open B), and Ernie Martin (Vet B 30+).
On Sunday, June 23, the motorcycles will take to the trails of Snowshoe Mountain Resort following the schedule of youth racing 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.
The 2 p.m. pro ATV race and 1 p.m. pro bike race will be broadcast LIVE on the Internet via Racer TV on www.racertv.com both days. A highlight show featuring the event will air on NBC Sports Network on Sunday, September 8 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
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.
- Facebook: @gnccracing
- Instagram: @gncc_racing
- Twitter: @gnccracing
- YouTube: @racertv
Previous Round Results and Points Standings
Dunlop Tomahawk
Odessa, New York
Round 7 of 13
Sunday, June 2, 2019
XC1 Pro Event Results:
- Kailub Russell (KTM)
- Thad Duvall (HQV)
- Steward Baylor Jr. (KTM)
- Trevor Bollinger (HQV)
- Ricky Russell (YAM)
- Cory Buttrick (HQV)
- Joshua Toth (KTM)
- Andrew Delong (HON)
- Josh Strang (KAW)
- Lyndon Snodgrass (KTM)
*Overall National Championship Standings:
- Kailub Russell (195)
- Thad Duvall (177)
- Steward Baylor Jr. (141)
- Trevor Bollinger (127)
- Ben Kelley (114)
- Josh Strang (92)
- Josh Toth (92)
- Andrew Delong (75)
- Michael Witkowski (64)
- Jordan Ashburn (58)
*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2019 National Champion.
XC2 250 Pro Event Results:
- Ben Kelley (KTM)
- Craig Delong (HQV)
- Michael Witkowski (BET)
- Austin Lee (HON)
- Ben Bouwens (YAM)
- Ryder Lafferty (KTM)
- Jonathan Johnson (KAW)
- Alex Teagarden (HQV)
- Liam Draper (KTM)
- Evan Smith (HQV)
XC2 250 Pro Series Standings:
- Ben Kelley (210)
- Michael Witkowski (140)
- Evan Smith (118)
- Austin Lee (109)
- Ryder Lafferty (93)
- Liam Draper (90)
- Craig Delong (88)
- Jonathan Johnson (83)
- Alex Teagarden (78)
- Jonathan Girroir (71)
About GNCC Racing
The AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Specialized 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-minute, taped-delayed telecasts on NBCSN, while Racer TV provides live streaming coverage of the 1 p.m. ATV and motorcycle races from each event. 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.