GNCC Racing

Parts Unlimited Mason-Dixon: Motorcycle Race Report

Parts Unlimited Mason-Dixon: Motorcycle Race Report

Monday, October 12, 2020 | 11:50 AM
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Monday, October 12, 2020 | 11:50 AM

Kailub Russell Clinches Eight-Consecutive GNCC National Championship
Steward Baylor Earns Third-Straight Overall Win in Pennsylvania

Mount Morris, Pa. (October 12, 2020) – Round eleven of the 2020 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series, an AMA National Championship, took place on Sunday, October 11 in Mount Morris, Pennsylvania. Mathew’s Farm hosted its 3rd Annual Parts Unlimited Mason-Dixon GNCC race, where FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell wrapped up his eighth-straight GNCC National Championship.

Kailub Russell (FMF/KTM Factory Racing) and the whole team celebrated his eighth-consecutive GNCC National Championship. Photo: Ken Hill
Kailub Russell (FMF/KTM Factory Racing) and the whole team celebrated his eighth-consecutive GNCC National Championship. Photo: Ken Hill

As the famed “10 seconds” was called and the green flag waved, it was AmPro Yamaha’s Layne Michael reaching the line first to grab the $250 All Balls Racing XC1 Pro Holeshot Award. Michael was accompanied by Babbitt’s Online/Monster Energy/Kawasaki teammates Jordan Ashburn and Josh Strang as he led the way into the woods.

Michael would continue to hold the lead position for the first four laps of racing as he tried to place a gap on the rest of the field in dusty conditions, however, Michael would be unable to hold off AmPro Yamaha’s Steward Baylor Jr. and FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Benjamin Kelley. Michael would check in third overall as he came through timing and scoring on the fifth lap, with Baylor Jr and Kelley coming through in the top two positions.

After working his way up from a mid-pack start Baylor Jr. would come through with the lead as the white flag was waving, indicating one more lap to go. Kelley sat 13 seconds behind him but was charging and looking to battle throughout the last lap of racing. Michael, who sat third overall, would make a costly mistake and go down at the end of pro row and lose two positions. As the checkered flag came out Baylor Jr. would come through with just a 1.8 second gap ahead of Kelley to earn his third-straight overall win of the season. Kelley would finish out the day second overall.

Steward Baylor (AmPro Yamaha) earned his third-straight overall win of the season. Photo: Ken Hill
Steward Baylor (AmPro Yamaha) earned his third-straight overall win of the season. Photo: Ken Hill

FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell, who came into the race after sustaining a PCL and lateral meniscus tear two weeks ago in Ohio, found himself digging deep to push through the three-hour race. Russell was able to battle towards the front of the pack for the first half of the race, but he would lose some time as he would make two precautionary pit stops to have his air filter swapped out due to the extremely dusty conditions. Russell would find himself running third overall as he made his way to checkered flag. Russell’s third overall would be enough to wrap up his eighth-straight title in his final year of Pro GNCC Racing.

Making his return to GNCC Racing this weekend was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thad Duvall. After suffering a knee injury before the start of the season and proving too much to take when the season began in February, Duvall had undergone knee surgery and has been on the road to recovery. Duvall began his day in fourth overall as the lead group came through timing and scoring after completing one lap. Duvall would push himself, running third overall on lap three but would fall back to fourth after that. However, Duvall would find himself running just 1 second behind Russell as the duo made their way through the course on the last lap. Duvall came through the finish 1.3 seconds off of Russell, and with two rounds remaining Duvall is looking to finish out the season and prepare for 2021.

Thad Duvall (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) returned to racing, finishing in the fourth place position. Photo: Ken Hill
Thad Duvall (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) returned to racing, finishing in the fourth place position. Photo: Ken Hill

After his crash on pro row, Michael would pick himself up and get back on the motorcycle. Michael found himself back in the fifth place position, but he would once again try to push throughout the last lap to hold onto that fifth place finish. Michael would hold off the rest of the XC1 riders and cross the line fifth.

Strang was running at the front of the pack in second overall for the first three laps of racing but after a long pit stop to change his air filter after 3 laps of racing, Strang would find himself coming through in the ninth place position. Strang knew he would need to make some necessary passes to earn valuable points in his hunt for the National Championship. As Strang came through to see the white flag he had made his way up to sixth overall, however, Strang would be unable to make any more passes throughout the last lap of racing and would hold onto sixth overall and continue to hold second in the points standings.

Teammates to Strang, Ashburn would continue to push after finding himself outside of the top five XC1 racers. Ashburn made his way to seventh overall after falling back to ninth earlier in the day and continues to sit third in the National Championship points standings. FactoryONE Sherco’s Grant Baylor battled back-and-forth from seventh and eighth throughout the duration of the race. Baylor crossed the line three seconds behind Ashburn to take eighth overall.

Mike Witkowski (AmPro Yamaha) grabbed the XC2 holeshot before earning the XC2 class win at the Parts Unlimited Mason-Dixon GNCC. Photo: Ken Hill
Mike Witkowski (AmPro Yamaha) grabbed the XC2 holeshot before earning the XC2 class win at the Parts Unlimited Mason-Dixon GNCC. Photo: Ken Hill

Phoenix Honda Racing’s Andrew Delong battled through the dusty conditions throughout the grueling three-hour race. Delong would make the move into sixth place as he came through on lap four, however, he would be unable to hold onto that after engaging in a battle for the next two laps. Delong would cross the finish line after six laps of racing in the ninth place position. Rockhill Powersports/Ti Dezigns/UFO Plast’s Evan Earl came through to take 10th in XC1 after having a consistent race at round eleven in Pennsylvania.

In the XC2 250 Pro class it was AmPro Yamaha/St. Lawrence Radiology’s Mike Witkowski getting a great jump off the line and earning the $100 Hot Cams XC2 Holeshot Award. Witkowski continued to hold the lead as they XC2 riders made their way into the woods, and after six laps of racing Witkowski would cross the finish line with a 12 second gap back to second in his class.

Factory Beta USA’s Cody Barnes also had a great start as he battled Witkowski to the first turn. Barnes would head onto the course second in XC2, putting his head down and pushing to put a gap between himself and third place. Barnes would continue to run second for all but one lap of racing, and as the white flag came out Barnes once again would make the pass to takeover second for the final time. Barnes crossed the finish line to bring home his second runner-up finishing position of the season.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Craig Delong did not have the start he was hoping for as he came through timing and scoring ninth of the opening lap. Delong continued to push himself, and by the halfway point of racing he had made his way into fourth and then third with his sights set on Barnes. Delong would be able to make the pass as the white flag came out, but Barnes would not let him off the hook that easy. Delong and Barnes would battle for second during the last lap, with Barnes taking it and Delong rounding out the XC2 top three finishers.

Zack Hayes (Moose Racing/Carolina KTM/XC Gear) clinched the FMF XC3 125cc Pro-Am National Championship by earning the class win at round 11. 
Zack Hayes (Moose Racing/Carolina KTM/XC Gear) clinched the FMF XC3 125cc Pro-Am National Championship by earning the class win at round 11. 

Tely Energy Racing/KTM’s Liam Draper crossed the line fourth after working his way up from a seventh place start. Points leader Trail Jesters KTM’s Jonathan Girroir would also have a bad start to the day, working his way up to fifth in the XC2 class after starting at the back of the pack.

Coming through to take the FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class win and the National Championship was Moose Racing/Carolina KTM/XC Gear’s Zack Hayes. Earning his sixth win of the season, with eleven rounds counting towards their National Championship, was enough to clinch the number one plate two rounds early.

FXR/KTM’s Jason Lipscomb came through to take second in the FMF XC3 class, his third-straight podium finish of the season. Raines Riding University/Fly Racing/Yamaha’s Jason Raines made his way up to third in the class after starting off the day fourth.

Rachael Archer (AmPro Yamaha) battled to take her fourth WXC class win. Photo: Ken Hill
Rachael Archer (AmPro Yamaha) battled to take her fourth WXC class win. Photo: Ken Hill

At the conclusion of the 10 a.m. race it was WXC racer AmPro Yamaha’s Rachael Archer taking the overall win and her fourth-straight WXC class win of the season. As the WXC class took off it was Beta USA’s Rachel Gutish grabbing another $100 Trail Jesters WXC Holeshot Award, and TM Racing’s Korie Steede following closely behind.

Gutish would hold the early lead, but after two laps of racing Steede’s motorcycle would not be able to handle the conditions and she would be unable to complete the last two laps of racing. Gutish would battle with Archer, and eventually Archer would make the pass stick on Gutish. By this time FactoryONE Sherco/Moose Racing’s Brooke Cosner had made her way up to third from a fifth place start to the day. Archer would continue to hold the lead, ultimately crossing the finish line 40 seconds ahead of Gutish who held onto second and Cosner would made her first podium appearance of the season.

Becca Sheets (BABS Racing Yamaha/Maxxis) earned her second WXC GNCC National Championship after finishing out the day fourth in WXC. Photo: Ken Hill
Becca Sheets (BABS Racing Yamaha/Maxxis) earned her second WXC GNCC National Championship after finishing out the day fourth in WXC. Photo: Ken Hill

BABS Racing Yamaha/Maxxis’ Becca Sheets knew she had to finish sixth or better on the day to clinch her second WXC GNCC National Championship. Sheets was off to a decent start after her bike did not fire right off the start. She was running third for the first two laps, but she would have to return to her pits for a long pit stop. Sheets would get back onto the trails and find herself only falling back one spot to fourth in the WXC class. As Sheets made her way to the finish line, she had captured the 2020 WXC GNCC National Championship.

Team Green Kawasaki’s Grant Davis captured the 2020 Youth Overall Championship after earning his eighth Youth Overall win and YXC1 Super Mini Sr. class win of the season. Coming through to take second overall and in YXC1 was Team Green Kawasaki’s Jack Joy, while Coastal Racing Husqvarna’s Lane Whitmer rounded out the youth overall and YXC1 class podiums. YXC2 competitor Nicholas Defeo came through to earn his class win followed by Chase Landers and Logan Pellegrini rounding out the top three in their class.

The AMSOIL Moto Hero was awarded to Junior A/B (25+) competitor, Austin Franklin. Austin hails from Gainesville, Georgia and served in the United States Marine Corps (USMC). Austin served overseas in Afghanistan for 243 days and continued to serve our country as an infantryman on the frontline. Austin currently sits fourth in the Junior A/B points standings. Austin was awarded a free set of Kanati Lite truck tires from GBC Tires, a $250 AMSOIL shopping spree and a commemorative American Flag courtesy of Columbia Flag.

Austin Franklin was nominated and honored as the 2020 AMSOIL Moto Hero at the Mason-Dixon GNCC in Pennsylvania. Photo: Ken Hill
Austin Franklin was nominated and honored as the 2020 AMSOIL Moto Hero at the Mason-Dixon GNCC in Pennsylvania. Photo: Ken Hill

Two highlight shows featuring ATVs and motorcycles will be featured on MAVTV at a later date. To view the full broadcast schedule, click 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.

Parts Unlimited Mason-Dixon Results and Points Standings
Mount Morris, Pennsylvania
Round 11 of 13
Sunday, October 11, 2020

XC1 Pro Event Results:

  1. Steward Baylor Jr. (YAM)
  2. Benjamin Kelley (KTM)
  3. Kailub Russell (KTM)
  4. Thad Duvall (HQV)
  5. Layne Michael (YAM)
  6. Josh Strang (KAW)
  7. Jordan Ashburn (KAW)
  8. Grant Baylor (SHR)
  9. Andrew Delong (HON)
  10. Evan Earl (KAW)

*Overall National Championship Standings:

  1. Kailub Russell (277)
  2. Josh Strang (216)
  3. Jordan Ashburn (173)
  4. Craig Delong (157)
  5. Michael Witkowski (150)
  6. Jonathan Girroir (146)
  7. Grant Baylor (137)
  8. Steward Baylor Jr. (133)
  9. Benjamin Kelley (132)
  10. Cody Barnes (113)

*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2020 National Champion.

XC2 250 Pro Event Results:

  1. Michael Witkowski (YAM)
  2. Cody Barnes (BET)
  3. Craig Delong (HQV)
  4. Liam Draper (KTM)
  5. Jonathan Girroir (KTM)
  6. Jesse Ansley (KTM)
  7. Jonathan Johnson (YAM)
  8. Ben Parsons (HQV)
  9. Samuel Evans (KTM)
  10. Lyndon Snodgrass (KAW)

XC2 250 Pro Series Standings:

  1. Jonathan Girroir (270)
  2. Craig Delong (266)
  3. Michael Witkowski (264)
  4. Cody Barnes (195)
  5. Liam Draper (176)
  6. Thorn Devlin (145)
  7. Jonathan Johnson (127)
  8. Ryder Lafferty (119)
  9. Benjamin Nelko (102)
  10. Jesse Ansley (90)

To get the latest GNCC Racing clothing and merchandise visit https://www.mototees.com

How to Watch

Racer TV and MAVTV are the official homes for coverage of the 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 taped-delayed telecasts on MAVTV, while Racer TV provides live streaming coverage of the 2 p.m. ATV and 1 p.m. motorcycle races from each event. Catch all the action at http://www.mavtv.com/ and http://www.racertv.com/. 

About GNCC Racing

The Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Specialized is the World’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 two and three-hour GNCC races lead as many as 2,400 riders through racetracks 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 live on RacerTV.com. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.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

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Media Contact:
Kayla Bolton
(304) 284-0084
[email protected]