by: Kayla Bolton
Monday, March 2, 2026 | 7:00 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Moose Racing Wild Boar:
Motorcycle Race Report
Ben Kelley Earns First Overall Win of 2026 in Florida
PALATKA, Fla. (March 2, 2026) – The Moose Racing Wild Boar in Palatka, Florida – round two of the 2026 Progressive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC Racing) Series, an AMA National Championship – served up a tough, fast-paced afternoon Pro race with fierce battles through the sand, trail and wooded terrain. Top riders would push themselves through the condition for every position.
Coming through to take the overall win and overtake the points lead was FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Ben Kelley. Kelley would ride a smart, consistent race to take the overall win, leading much of the race and handling the challenging Florida course with precision.
Kelley’s teammate, FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Grant Davis was hot on his heels majority of the day, making a pass at one point for the lead position, but falling back on the last lap. Davis would come through to cross the line second overall and in the XC1 Open Pro class as he continues to try and showcase his speed from the front row.
Liqui Moly Factory Beta Racing’s Cody Barnes delivered a breakthrough performance at the Wild Boar GNCC, earning his first-career overall podium in the premier XC1 Open Pro class with a hard-fought third place finish. As the Florida sand whoops and tight wooded sections began to take their toll, the former XC2 front-runner maintained a smooth, calculated pace, capitalizing on clean lines and minimizing mistakes while others faltered. Battling seasoned veterans throughout the three-hour grind, Barnes held steady under pressure to secure the final podium spot.
Just outside of the podium, Phoenix Racing Honda’s Michael Witkowski claimed fourth overall on the day with an aggressive pace, while Liqui Moly Factory Beta Racing’s Josh Strang worked his way to fifth overall in Florida in a hard-fought effort.
AmPro Yamaha’s Kailub Russell continued his charge with a solid sixth overall through the sandy Florida terrain, and Liqui Moly Factory Beta Racing’s Jhak Walker impressed with a seventh overall and a class-leading ride in the XC2 250 Pro class. Walker would celebrate a major career milestone as he earned his first career XC2 250 Pro class win, after putting together a composted and aggressive ride from the drop of the green flag.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Craig Delong would battle throughout the duration of the race to take eighth overall at round two, while Phoenix Racing Honda’s Jordan Ashburn grabbed ninth overall through the rough Florida course. Rocky Mountain/Red Bear/Kawasaki’s Grant Baylor rounded out the top 10 overall finishers after a gritty performance throughout the three-hour race.
Rounding out the top three XC2 250 Pro class finishers were Race Craft Off-Road/Husqvarna’s Brody Johnson and Kari Resources/Triumph Racing’s Jack Edmondson. Both Johnson and Edmondson would continue to push throughout the race, making the necessary moves through the pack to put themselves into the podium contention as the checkered flag flew.
Taking home the Top Amateur honors at round two in Florida was 250 A class winner, Lane Whitmer as he came through to take the class win and finish 14th overall on the day. Coming through 17th overall, earning himself second on the Top Amateur podium was Jiggs Fustini who also earned the 4-Stroke A Lites class win. Colton Shields would round out the top three Top Amateur finishers as he clinched second in the 250 A class and placed 18th overall on the day at round two.
On Sunday at the Moose Racing Wild Boar GNCC in Palatka, Florida, the WXC class delivered an intense battle through the sand and wooded trails, with FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Brandy Richards coming out on top to take the class win, showcasing speed and consistency over the challenging course. Just behind her, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Korie Steede rode a strong race to secure second place, keeping pressure on Richards throughout the event. Rounding out the podium in third was AmPro Yamaha’s Danielle McDonald, who fought hard to her first top three finish of the season in the ultra-competitive WXC field.
Over 160 Women and Girls would compete throughout the weekend at the Moose Racing Wild Boar GNCC within the Micro, Youth, AM and PM races.
As the Youth Bike race got underway it was Hunter Hawkinberry grabbing the early lead and holding that number one position for the duration of the race, earning himself his first overall youth and YXC1 Super Mini Sr. (14-15) class win of the season. Fighting for a top position for majority of the race was Phillip Arnold as he came through to finish second overall and in the YXC1 class. Caleb Johnson would round out the top three overall youth bike finishers as he came back from a fifth place start on the day.
The YXC2 Super Mini Jr. (12-13) class win would go to Jase Jackson out of Ohio, while Evan Porter picked up the 85 Big Wheel (14-15) class win and Dylan Bott came through to earn the 85 Big Wheel (11-13) class win. In the 85 (12-13) class it was James Razor earning the win, while 85 (11) class win went to Tripp Lewis and Kane Morrison would earn the 85 (7-10) class win. In the 65 (10-11) class it was Reed Lokker earning the class win, while Hudson Bott earned themselves the 65 (9) class win and Carson Zink would take home the 65 (7-8) class win. In the Girls Super Mini (12-16) class win it was Vaida Lavergne earning her second straight class win, while Aubrey Tsakanikas also grabbed her second victory in the Girls 85 (7-13) class and Matilda Revoyr took her first win of the season in the Girls 65 (7-11) class win. Emilee Bott would come through to try racing in the Trail Rider (7-15) class and would earn the win.
On Saturday, the Overall Micro Bike win went to Peyton Austin as he came through to also take home the MXC1 (8-9) class win, while Ryder Baricska battled throughout to take home second overall and in the MXC1 class. Bennett Edmunds would round out the top three micro bike finishers. Carson Zink would come through in the MXC2 (6-8) class and take home the win at round two.
The 50 Sr. 1 (7) class saw Kolt Morrison take the win, while Landon Babineau takes the 50 Sr. 2 (6) class win. Weston Rose would earn the 50 Jr. 1 (6-7) class win, and Kanton Lanier would take home the 50 Jr. 2 (4-5) class win in Florida. Rylee Huff earned the Girls (6-9) class win, Macklin Freeman would earn the Micro-E1 (7-8) class win, Jagger Weston would earn the Micro-E2 (4-6) class win, Brody Bown earned the Micro-E3 (4-6) class win, and Wake Taylor earned the Micro (4-6) Shaft Drive class. Hudson Hart came through to earn the Trail Rider (6-9) class win.
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
- YouTube: @racertv
- X: @gnccracing
Moose Racing Wild Boar GNCC Results and Points Standings
Palatka, Florida
Round 2 of 13
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Overall Event Results:
- Ben Kelley (KTM)
- Grant Davis (KTM)
- Cody Barnes (BET)
- Michael Witkowski (HON)
- Josh Strang (BET)
- Kailub Russell (YAM)
- Jhak Walker (BET)
- Craig Delong (HQV)
- Jordan Ashburn (HON)
- Grant Baylor (KAW)
*Overall National Championship Standings:
- Ben Kelley (42)
- Jordan Ashburn (37)
- Jonathan Girroir (30)
- Michael Witkowski (29)
- Craig Delong (28)
- Grant Davis (25)
- Cody Barnes (21)
- Nicholas DeFeo (21)
- Liam Draper (21)
- Jhak Walker (20)
*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2025 National Champion.
XC1 Open Pro Event Results:
- Ben Kelley (KTM)
- Grant Davis (KTM)
- Cody Barnes (BET)
- Michael Witkowski (HON)
- Josh Strang (BET)
- Kailub Russell (YAM)
- Craig Delong (HQV)
- Jordan Ashburn (HON)
- Grant Baylor (KAW)
- Liam Draper (YAM)
XC2 250 Pro Event Results:
- Jhak Walker (BET)
- Brody Johnson (HQV)
- Jack Edmondson (TRI)
- Gavin Simon (HQV)
- Philippe Chaine (KTM)
- Landon Lynn (KTM)
- Jason Tino (KTM)
- Christopher Parris (HON)
- Nicholas DeFeo (KAW)
- Philippe Dagenais (TRI)
To get the latest GNCC Racing clothing and merchandise visit https://www.mototees.com
About GNCC Racing
The Progressive Grand National Cross Country Series, an AMA National Championship, is the world premier cross country racing series. Founded in 1975, the 13-round motorcycle and ATV championship and 8-round eMTB 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 2,800 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.
Media Contact:
Kayla Bolton
(304) 284-0084
[email protected]
