NEWBURG, W.Va. (September 8, 2025) – Round 10 of the Progressive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC Racing) Series presented by Specialized, an AMA National Championship, the Dunlop Buckwheat 100, concluded on Sunday, September 7 under sunny skies and warm late-summer conditions. The scenic West Virginia terrain set the stage for an intense day of racing, as the world’s fastest off-road racers battled through fast fields and challenging woods sections in pursuit of crucial championship points.

Fans lined the course to witness bar-to-bar action, and the Dunlop Buckwheat 100 GNCC delivered yet another thrilling chapter in the GNCC season. With a new start procedure in place, the top 20 in overall points standings from the XC1 and XC2 classes lined up on the front row, with remaining XC1 and XC2 competitors on row two.

As the green flag flew high in the sky it was FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Ben Kelley blasting off the line earning the $250 Landers KTM XC1 Open Pro Holeshot Award, with FMF KTM Factory Racing Lander’s Grant Davis hot on his heels earning the $150 Landers KTM XC2 250 Pro Holeshot Award. But as the top 20 riders pushed their way towards the woods, Davis would find himself on the ground scrambling to get back on his bike before the rest of the field got too far away.

Kelley would hold the early lead, but he would struggle a bit throughout the race. The battle was on throughout the duration of the three-hour race, as lead changes seemed to be happening every lap and the top riders were just mere seconds apart from each other. AmPro Yamaha’s Liam Draper would make his way up front and hold the lead for three laps, with Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki Team Green’s Steward Baylor making the pass for the lead before a miscalculation on the last lap put him back to 11th overall at the end of the day.

Davis would continue to push himself after a crash off the start and would defy all of the expectations by claiming the overall win, his third of the season, as he triumphed against the fastest racers in the world. Davis now sits first in the overall National Championship standings with three rounds remaining.

Flatrock Motorclub GASGAS Factory Racing’s Jordan Ashburn delivered a steady performance at the Dunlop Buckwheat 100, riding with consistency from start to finish to secure the XC1 Open Pro class win. While Ashburn managed the demanding conditions with control and pace, Draper continued to fight hard to keep pressure on throughout the grueling three-hour battle. Draper held strong despite the intensity of the race, ultimately crossing the line in second place in class, and third overall on the day.

Fighting at the front for majority of the day was Rockstar Energy Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Craig Delong. On the opening lap, Delong would find himself running second and would continue to push himself to stay at the front for the next six laps. Delong would cross the finish line third in XC1 Open Pro class, and fourth overall on the day.

Phoenix Racing Honda’s Cody Barnes would come through to clinch second in the XC2 250 Pro class after working his way through the pack from a fifth place start on the day from the front row. After holding the early lead, Kelley would struggle to find comfort throughout the demanding three-hour race. As he continued to give his all, Kelley would cross the line fourth in XC1 and sixth overall on the day, scoring valuable points towards the National Championship.

Both Liqui Moly Factory Beta Racing’s Josh Strang and Phoenix Racing Honda’s Mike Witkowski would battle back from outside of the top 10 on the first couple of laps, to finish fifth and sixth in XC1, while coming out with a seventh and eighth overall place finish at round 10 in West Virginia.

Coming through to round out the top three in the XC2 250 Pro class was FMF KTM Factory Racing Lander’s Angus Riordan. After running at the front of his class for the opening lap, Riordan would fall back a bit and take some time to try to make it towards the front again. Rounding out the top 10 overall finishers was AmPro Yamaha’s Kailub Russell. As Russell maneuvered his way through the West Virginia woods he would battle at the front of the pack for the first half of the day. For Russell he would ultimately fall back to ninth and push his way forward to finish seventh in class and 10th overall on the day.

As the XC3 125 Pro-Am class took off it was Isaiah Brown earning the Lojak Cycle Sales XC3 Holeshot Award to start the day. However, it wouldn’t take long for James Jenkins and Jonathan Johnson to make their way into the front of the pack and battle for the first couple of laps. Johnson would make the pass into the lead on lap three, and after that he would not look back as he continued to push forward. Johnson would come through to take the class win, while Jenkins held onto second in the class. Jayson Crawford would have a consistent race as he came through to round out the top three finishers in XC3.

The Top Amateur honors would go to Joseph Cunningham as he came through 16th overall on the day, while earning the 250 A class win. Cole Whitmer would come through 18th overall, earning himself the second spot on the Top Amateur podium. Whitmer also earned the Open A class win. Van Adams would come through to finish 19th overall on the day, rounding out the Top Amateur podium, and finishing second in Open A.

Rockstar Energy Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Korie Steede powered her way to victory at The Dunlop Buckwheat 100 GNCC, showcasing her speed and composure against a strong field. FMF KTM Factory Racing Lander’s Brandy Richards and AmPro Yamaha’s Danielle McDonald pushed her every step of the way, keeping the pressure on throughout the race and making for an exciting battle at the front. Despite their best efforts, Steede held firm and crossed the line first, while Richards and McDonald followed close behind to secure second and third. The podium reflected not only Steede’s determination but also the fierce competition and depth of talent in the WXC ranks.

As the Youth Bike race got underway on Sunday morning, Travis Lentz would grab the early lead in the race as well as in the YXC1 Super Mini Sr. (14-15) class. Lentz would continue to maximize his lead as he pushed himself through the slick morning conditions. Lentz would come through to earn his ninth overall and YXC1 win of the season, strengthening his lead. Cooper Duff would come through second overall and in the YXC1 class, while Phillip Arnold would fight back and finish third overall on the day and first in the YXC2 Super Mini Jr. (12-13) class. Lucas Skelton would round out the top three YXC1 finishers, while Ace Tokar and Gavin Harwell came through second and third in the YXC2 class.

Other winners in the youth bike race included: Trevor Harris in the 85 Big Wheel (14-15) class, Caleb Johnson in the 85 Big Wheel (11-13) class, Tucker Aldrich in the 85 (12-13) class, Hunter Jones in the 85 (11) class, Tripp Lewis in the 85 (7-10) class, Davey Fairfield in the 65 (10-11), Kane Morrison in the 65 (9) class, Cash Knecht in the 65 (7-8) class, Sahara Robinson in the Girls Super Mini (12-16) class, Vaida Lavergne in the Girls 85 (7-13) class, Maura Tsakanikas in the Girls 65 (7-11) class and Nathan Cygnarowicz in the Trail Rider (7-15) class.

On Saturday in the Micro Bike race, it was Kane Morrison leading the way in the muddy, slick conditions, for all six laps of the race. Morrison would earn his eighth win of the season at The Dunlop Buckwheat 100 GNCC. Krue Russell would battle back from a fourth place start, to finish second overall in the Micro Bike race and in the MXC1 class. Ryder Baricska pushed himself through the conditions to earn third overall, while also taking home the MXC2 class win. Cade Propst raced his way to third in the MXC1 class, while Kash Brummage and Liam Jackson rounded out the MXC2 class top three finishers of the day.

Jacobi Duvall would take home the 50 Sr. (7) class win, Kolt Morrison took the 50 Sr. 2 (6) class win, Colin Arnold earned the 50 Jr. (4-5) class win, Addison Richmond would win the Micro-E1 (7-8) class, Anberlin Cadieux took the Micro-E2 (4-6) class win, Weston Rose earned the Micro (4-6) Shaft Drive class and Braxton Waller earned the Trail Rider (7-9) class win.

The Progressive GNCC Racing Series continues on September 19-21, 2025, in Beckley, West Virginia with The Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Mountaineer GNCC. This round of racing will be GNCC Racing’s Salute to First Responders – and host the Mowgli Memorial Dog Show on Saturday evening.

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.   

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