After battling Russell for the win last round, Tely Energy Racing/KTM’s Steward Baylor Jr. is on a mission to earn his second overall win this weekend. Baylor Jr. currently sits third in the points standings, just 10 points behind second plate. As the series heads into its hiatus for the summer, Baylor Jr. is aiming to improve his standings in the hunt for his first GNCC National Championship.

Trail Jester KTM’s Ben Kelley came away with another third overall after starting on the first row at Snowshoe, and his eighth straight XC2 250 Pro class win of the season. Kelley sits fourth overall in the points standings, and first in his class as GNCC heads to the ninth round of racing. Kelley will be aiming to make it on the overall podium for a third consecutive time this weekend and continue his XC2 class win streak.

Landing on the XC1 Open Pro podium at round eight was AmPro Yamaha/Moose Racing/Parts Unlimited-backed rider Ricky Russell. This was Russell’s first podium appearance this season, as he returned from injury at round five, and he is eager to continue battling at the front of the pack.

Babbitt’s Online/Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Jordan Ashburn put in his best finish of the season two weeks ago with a fourth in XC1 and fifth overall. At round six and seven Ashburn experienced mechanical issues and was unable to finish those races. Now after a great race at Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Ashburn knows he has what it takes to run at the front and battle for a top five finish. 

Coming through sixth overall and fifth in XC1 was Tely Energy Racing/KTM’s Grant Baylor. Baylor put in a good ride at Snowshoe, as he too returned from injury at round five. This weekend Baylor will aim to continue improving his finishing positions. 

Husqvarna/FXR/Thornhill Automotive’s Cory Buttrick earned ninth overall and sixth in XC1 at the previous round, and will now look to break into the top 10 overall in the points standings, as he currently sits 11th. Phoenix Honda Racing’s Andrew Delong came through seventh in his class and rounded out the top 10 overall. Delong has been having a very consistent year, and will aim to keep that consistency going in his home state of Pennsylvania.  

Babbitt’s Online/Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Josh Strang was not having the race he hoped for two weeks ago in the mountains of West Virginia. Strang finished eighth in his class, but unfortunately was only able to complete five of the six laps and came through 27^th overall. This weekend Strang is looking for redemption and to get back to battling at the front where he knows he can be. 

Rockstar Energy/Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Thad Duvall definitely did not have the Snowshoe he was prepared for. Last season Duvall suffered a wrist injury and was unable to complete the race, and this season a mechanical issue after lap three ultimately took Duvall out of the running. This weekend Duvall is ready to go and prepared to battle at the front of the pack, where he is looking to take home his third overall win.

Duvall’s teammate Trevor Bollinger will once again be absent from the starting line this weekend in Pennsylvania. Bollinger’s absence comes after a health issue sidelined him at Snowshoe, and again this weekend as he is on his road to recovery. GNCC Racing wishes him a speedy recovery and we will see him back on the starting line in September for round 10.

Coming through second in the XC2 250 Pro class was Coastal Racing/Husqvarna’s Craig Delong. After earning three-straight 2^nd place finishes, Delong is hoping to battle up front with Kelley and earn his first class win of the season. This weekend’s event is in Delong’s home state of Pennsylvania, and with family and friends likely to be here Delong will be one to keep an eye on.

Tely Energy Racing/KTM’s Liam Draper earned his first XC2 class podium of the season at Snowshoe. Draper is aiming to earn his second-straight podium finish this weekend, and improve his position in his class points standings. LanMills XC/Husqvarna/Moose Racing/FMF’s Alex Teagarden and Solid Performance KTM/Moose Racing/Kenda Tires Ryder Lafferty rounded out the XC2 class top five.

In the FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class Beta USA Factory Racing’s Cody Barnes continues to lead the way while Trail Jesters KTM’s Jesse Ansley sits second. Lojak Cycle Sales/Yamaha’s Chase Colville came through third at Snowshoe, but currently sits fourth in the points standings.