MILLFIELD, Ohio (October 12, 2025) – The Progressive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC Racing) Series presented by Specialized, an AMA National Championship, held its 12th round of racing in Millfield, Ohio with the 2025 Wiseco John Penton GNCC. The event was welcomed with sunny skies and near perfect conditions for the penultimate round of racing.  

Phoenix Racing Yamaha’s Brycen Neal victory was nothing short of electrifying as he took the overall win in front of a home-state crowd that surely cheered him on every mile. As a native of Ohio, Neal’s triumph resonated far beyond the podium; with flawless control, pace, and nerve under pressure, he transformed pressure into power as he held the lead from start to finish after grabbing the $250 XC1 Holeshot Award.  

Stewart Boys Racing/Kenda/Pierce Performance’s Wyatt Wilkin would put in a good ride after starting third on the day and quickly moving into the number two spot. Wilkin would push himself forward but was unable to catch Neal to battle for the lead. Wilkin would cross the line second overall on the day in Ohio.

When the dust settled, WFR/Kenda/Fly Racing/BNR’s Walker Fowler found himself elevated to a third-place finish after HHR/Fly Racing/Quad Tech’s Hunter Hart was penalized one position, dropping Hart to fourth. Fowler had rode with consistency throughout the day, and when the ruling came down his steady performance put him in a good position.

Sturdivant Racing/Maxxis/Moose Racing’s Branden Owens put in a good ride after finishing fifth overall on the day. Owens would find himself running outside the top 10 after the first lap, but as the race continued on, he would push himself through the Ohio terrain up to seventh and then fifth as the checkered flag flew.

At the 2025 John Penton GNCC, Merritt Racing/BNR Motorsports/GBC’s Joshua Merritt secured a sixth-place finish after OBOR/Moose Racing/Parts Unlimited/Lonestar’s Adam McGill was assess a one-position penalty, moving Merritt up in the final results. Merritt put together a determined and consistent rider through the demanding Ohio terrain, maintaining a steady pace and focus as the race unfolded.

Action Off-Road/Kenda/Custom Axis’ Jay Shadron had a good showing at round 12 in Ohio after having a consistent run. Shadron would battle through to finish eighth overall and in the XC1 class. JMR/GBC/Elka/Moose Racing’s Jarrod McClure would cross the finish line ninth overall and in XC1. Rounding out the top 10 in XC1 was Phoenix Racing Yamaha/Action Off-Road/Pierce Performance’s John Glauda Jr. as he came through eleventh overall on the day after two-hours of intense racing.

In the XC2 Pro-Am class it was BNR Motorsports/Pierce Performance/GBC Tire’s Alex Thieman maintaining the lead position from start to finish. Thieman would cross the line first, with enough of a points gap to earn the 2025 XC2 Pro-Am GNCC National Championship one round early. Duroy Motosport/Varin Yamaha/Teixeira Tech’s Danick Paquin would work his way up from 11th to finish second in the class, while Action Off-Road/RENEN/GBC’s Keaton Henderson earned his first podium finish of the season with a third in the class.

Earning the Top Amateur honors was Talan Stout as he came through 18th overall and first in the College (16-19) class. Ryan Wilhelm was second on the podium with a 19th overall and second in College A, while Aiden Jones rounded out the top three Top Amateurs with a 20th overall finishing position and third in College A.

In the morning ATV race, it was 250 All-Star competitors Bryce Pullen and Noah Lykins battling for the overall win. Pullen would cross the line to finish first overall in the race, while Lykins followed behind to finish second overall. Pro Row 784/Victory Golf Cart’s Brandon Frazier would come through to take third overall in the race, while also earning the 4x4 Pro class win.

As they crossed the finish line, Kenda/KMK/Ryco Electric’s Cody Collier would come through second in the 4x4 Pro class, which would be enough for him to his third 4x4 Pro GNCC National Championship and become the 2025 4x4 Pro GNCC National Champion.

KMK Off-Road/OBOR/FXR’s Kaden Wharff would work his way up through the pack after starting back in fifth place on the opening lap. Wharff would continue to push until the checkered flag flew, finishing third in the 4x4 Pro class.

As the WXC class took off it was Osburn Off-Road/Pierce Performance/Moose Racing’s Chloe Harper grabbing the $100 BNR Motorsports WXC Holeshot Award to start her day. Harper would continue to lead from start to finish, earning her eighth class win of the season. SBR/Kenda/Motowoz Andrea Rodgers battled her way towards the front as she made the necessary passes from fourth to finish out second in the WXC class and earn her first podium finish of the season. Rounding out the WXC class podium was Osburn Off-Road/Fearless/Kenda’s Hannah Hunter as she pushed herself from sixth up to third as the checkered flag flew.

In the Youth ATV race it was Kole Brandt battling his way through the course to take home the overall win and the YXC1 Super Mini Sr. (13-15) class. Bodie Buckhannon would come through second overall and in the YXC1 class, while Stetson Owens rounded out the overall and YXC1 class podium in third.

In the YXC2 Super Mini Jr. (12-13) class it was Wyatt Culver taking the class win followed by Brooks Hill and Beau Bothwell rounding out the top three finishers in the class. Aden McGomery would earn the 250 (13-15) class win, Reese Hoover took home the 250 (13-15) Limited class win, Brantley Slack earned the 125 (8-12) class win while Drazen Caso earned the 125 (8-12) Limited class win. In the 90 (8-12) class it was Gracin Brand taking the class win, Raelynn Dickerson would earn the Schoolgirl (12-15) class win, Aubree Nicholson took home the Girls Sr (12-15) class win, Baylee Wright earned the Girls Jr. (8-11) class win and Ryder Tenney earned the 70 CVT (6-11) class win at The John Penton GNCC.

In the Micro ATV race it was Casen Jennings coming through to take the overall and MXC1 (8-9) class win. Sage Shields would battle through to finish second and earn the MXC2 (6-8) class win. Kartyr Phillips raced his way to third overall on the day, while also earning himself the 90 Stock (8-9) class win. Grady Miller and Justin Collins Jr. would round out the top three MXC1 class finishers. Holden Wolford took the 50 Sr. (6-7) class win while Rigston Taylor earned the 50 Jr. (4-5) class win.

Kane Morrison would take home another Micro Bike overall win as well as ninth MXC1 (8-9) class win of the season. Krue Russell would come through second overall and in MXC1, while Cade Propst rounded out the podium in third overall and in MXC1. Carson Zink would earn the MXC2 class win followed by Kash Brummage and Liam Jackson. Baron Evkovich earned the 50 Sr 1 (7) class win, Brexxton Buttrick earned the 50 Sr. 2 (6) class win, Lydia Sollon earned the 50 Jr 1 (6-7) class win, Kane Gasper earned the 50 Jr. 2 (4-5) class win, Addison Richmond earned the Micro-E1 (7-8) class win, Nathan Zhang earned the Micro-E2 (4-6) class win, Weston Rose earned the Micro (4-6) Shaft Drive class win and Alaina Sollon earned the Trail Rider (7-9) class win.

In the Specialized Turbo eMTB National Championship race it was Pro Bike Pittsburgh’s Cody Pivirotto coming through to earn the overall win and the XC1 Pro class win. Karder Demidovich would come through second overall, while earning the Amateur class win. Kenny Hawkins would come through to take third overall on the day as he also took home another XC3 (40+) class win.

Trayven Brummett would earn the XC2 class win, as Nicole Rupert earned the Women’s class win. Suzanne Bishop took home the Women (35+) class win, and Jon Agin would earn the Masters (55+) class win. John Pellan took the Senior (40+) class win, and Steve Sellers earned himself a win in the Big Bore (200lb+) class. Levi Howard would take home a win in the Youth (8-13) class at The John Penton GNCC.

The Progressive GNCC Racing Series will host its season finale race at Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Indiana on October 24-26, 2025. Be sure to wear your PINK for the Yamaha Racing Ironman GNCC, as it’s GNCC Racing’s “Race for The Cure” event. There will also be a modified race schedule, on Saturday and Sunday, so be sure to check that out online HERE. Trick-Or-Treating and a Costume Contest will also take place as well as ePeeWee Racing. Check out more on www.gnccracing.com.

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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