LEBURN, Ky. (April 19, 2026) – The Progressive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC Racing) Series, an AMA National Championship, unveiled an exciting new stop on the schedule at Mine Made Adventure Park in Knott County, Kentucky. The inaugural Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Dukes GNCC welcomed racers and fans to fresh terrain and a highly anticipated venue, setting the stage for a memorable weekend of competition. Under sunny skies and dry conditions on Saturday, April 18, riders faced off on a course that delivered both challenges and opportunities in this first-ever running of the event.

The all-new GNCC event through the Kentucky trails delivered an exciting and hard-fought battle at the front of the pack, with Phoenix Racing Yamaha’s Brycen Neal emerging victorious. Neal put together a consistent and calculated ride, managing the tough terrain and race pace to secure the overall win. Close behind, HHR/Fly Racing/QuadTech’s Hunter Hart pushed the leader throughout the event, keeping the pressure on and finishing a strong second after an intense day of racing.

Stewart Boys Racing/Kenda/Pierce Performance’s Wyatt Wilkin earned the third overall position with a steady and determined performance. Wilkin stayed within striking distance of the leaders and capitalized on key moments throughout the race to secure a spot on the podium. Just off the podium, Action Off-Road/Maxxis/Lonestar Racing’s Jay Shadron delivered a solid ride of his own, navigating the challenging Kentucky course to claim fourth overall after leading the way early in the race.

Rounding out the top five was Merritt Racing/BNR Motorsports/GBC’s Joshua Merritt, who put together a consistent and resilient effort from start to finish. Merritt battled through the demanding conditions and competitive field to secure a top-five result at this brand-new venue. With such a strong showing from the front runners, the Dukes GNCC proved to be an exciting addition to the series and set the tone for more great racing to come.

Just outside the top five, Sturdivant Racing/Maxxis/Moose Racing’s Branden Owens secured a solid sixth overall finish with a consistent and determined ride. Owens battled through the demanding Kentucky terrain, maintaining a strong pace and fending off challenges from behind to earn his position. Not far behind, BNR Motorsports/Fearless/Kenda Tire’s Steven Harrell put together a competitive performance of his own, crossing the line in seventh after staying in the mix throughout the race and capitalizing on key sections of the course.

Rounding out the top eight, Phoenix Racing Yamaha/Action Off-Road/Pierce Performance’s John Glauda Jr. delivered a steady effort to finish eighth overall. Glauda Jr. managed the tough conditions and deep field of competitors with composure, putting in consistent laps from start to finish. Together, these riders showcased the depth of talent in the field, proving that even just outside the top five, the racing at The Dukes GNCC remained highly competitive.

Rounding out the top 10 in the XC1 Pro class at The Dukes GNCC were two seasoned veterans, JMR/GBC/Elka/Moose Racing’s Jarrod McClure and Action Off-Road/AMSOIL/CB Racing’s Chris Borich. McClure secured ninth place after a steady and determined ride, working through the challenging terrain and maintaining a consistent pace throughout the race. Just behind him, Borich battled to a 10th place finish, continuing to show his grit and experience as he navigated the course.

Hilltop Motorsports/Precision Trenching/Action Off-Road’s Daulton Keyes started his day strong as he grabbed the $100 Osburn Off-Road XC2 Holeshot Award and continued to lead the way. Keyes would push early in the race, making expanding his lead to over a minute as he took the checkered flag and his first win of the season. 

Nine 2/Ryland Johnson Racing/Gregs ATV & Cycle’s Layne McCormick started mid-pack, but he would steadily work his way up. McCormick would move into third and then second by the third lap of the race, pushing himself forward and trying to close the gap between himself and the leader. McCormick wuld come through second in the class, with Maxxis Tires/Sunoco Fuel/Fly Racing/TDR Motorsport’s Braxton Grosse making his way through to round out the XC2 Pro-Am podium and top three finishers.

Top Amateur honors at The Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Dukes GNCC would go to Aiden Jones as he came through to finish 18th overall and first in the Junior A (20+) class. In second would be Alex Elioff as he finished the day 21st overall and first in the Vet A (28+) class. Then in coming through 22nd overall was Andrew Smallwood who would round out the top three Top Amateurs of the day as he also took home the College A (16-19) class win.

When the AM race kicked off, it was Kaden Wharff Racing/OBOR/Action Off-Road/KMK’s Kaden Wharff grabbing the $100 Osburn Off-Road 4x4 Pro Holeshot Award and maintaining the early lead. As the 4x4 Pro leaders came through timing and scoring, Pro Row 784/Victory Golf Cart’s Brandon Frazier was on the move as he chased down Wharff in the lead. Frazier would make the pass on the second lap to take over the lead, and he would hold that position until the checkered flag flew in Kentucky to keep his win streak alive.

Even after a little mishap, Wharff would hold on to that second-place position for the remainder of the race, coming through to earn his third podium finish of the season in the 4x4 Pro class. Roudning out the top three 4x4 Pro finishers and overall finishers of the AM race was DeRisi Racing/GBC Tires/Spider Graphic’s Dylan Walraven. After running fourth and battling the defending champion, Cody Collier, Walraven would move into the third-place position on lap four and hold that until the finish. 

After grabbing the $100 BNR Racing WXC Holeshot Award, Pierce Performance/Moose Racing/Lonestar Racing’s Chloe Harper would find herself leading the way early on in the race. Harper would continue to push herself at the front of the pack throughout the duration of the race, ultimately crossing the line to earn her third WXC class win of the season.

Battling back-and-forth behind Harper were Elioff Racing/BNR Motorsports/GBC Tire’s Jessica Elioff and Fearless/Teixeira Tech/BNR Motorsport’s Hannah Hunter. As the race got underway, Hunter would start out in the second-place position with Elioff pushing behind her. However, after a couple laps of pushing, Elioff would make the pass for second over Hunter and the two would swap the second-place position for another lap. As the checkered flag flew, Elioff made the last lap pass on Hunter to secure that second place position and Hunter would round out the WXC podium in third. 

Grabbing the early lead in the YXC1 Super Mini Sr. (13-15) class and overall, in the Youth ATV race was Bodie Buckhannon. As the race continued, Buckhannon maintained his racing position in the number one spot. Buckhannon would hold onto the lead for the duration of the race, crossing the line first in the Youth ATV race and in the YXC1 class. Jacob Smallwood would hold onto the second overall position for all four laps of the race as well, while Jackson Hancock would start and finish his day third overall and in the YXC1 class. 

Kody Buckhannon would battle through to take the YXC2 Super Mini Jr. (12-13) class win; Aden McGomery earned the 250 (13-15) class win; Mason Lessard took home the 250 (13-15) Limited class win; Kolton Johnson earned the 125 (8-12) class win; Johnny Martin Jr. took the 125 (8-12) Limited class win; Gracin Brand earned the 90 (8-12) class win; Raelynn Dickerson took the Schoolgirl (12-15) class win in Kentucky; Aubree Nicholson took the Girls Sr. (12-15) class win; Kartyr Phillips earned the Girls Jr. (8-11) class win, and Kolston Wilson earned the 70 (6-11) class win.

In the Micro ATV race it would be Sage Shields working his way through the pack to earn the overall and MXC2 (6-8) class win. River Netherton would earn himself the MXC1 (8-9) class win in Kentucky and finish second overall in the race. Reid Aldridge would round out the top three overall finishers, while also finishing second in the MXC1 class. Then, Justin Collins Jr. would come through to round out the top three MXC1 class finishers. 

Gavin Claypool would come through to earn the 90 Stock Sr. (9) class win in Kentucky, while Mason Gaydos earned the 90 Stock Jr. (8) class win. In the 50 Sr (6-7) class it was Otto Margaria earning the win, while Kasen Lewis earned the 50 Jr. (4-5) class win.

Coming through in the Micro Bike race to take his fourth overall and MXC1 class win of the season was Peyton Austin. Ryder Baricska came through to finish in the runner-up position of second in the Micro Bike race, while Liam Jackson pushed himself the earn a spot on the overall podium at the end of the race as he finished third overall and in the MXC1 class. 

In the MXC2 (6-8) class it was Carson Zink coming through to take the win, while Kolt Morrison finished first in the 50 Sr. 1 (7) class, Bodhi Tackett earned the 50 Sr. 2 (6) class win, Weston Rose earned the 50 Jr. 1 (6-7) class win and Hudson Zilko took home the 50 Jr. 2 (4-5) class win. In the Girls (6-9) class it was Codie Lloyd taking the win, while Nathan Zhang earned the Micro-E (7-8) class win, Jagger Weston would earn the Micro-E (4-6) class win, Dolan Pringle earned the Micro-E (4-6) LTD class and Wake Taylor earned the Micro (4-6) Shaft Drive class win. In the Trail Rider (6-9) class it was Blake Tenney taking the win and Kase Bartley earning the newly added Micro-E (4-6) Sportsman class win.

The AMSOIL Moto Hero at the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Dukes GNCC was awarded to Brooke Brazinsky from Bloomfield, Indiana. Brooke served in the United States Army and was a former 91M Bradley Mechanic, where she was responsible for repairing and maintaining fighting fleet vehicles. She also served as a 68T in the Army, where she provided medical care to Military working dogs and other Government animals. Brooke received the Official AMSOIL Moto Hero plaque, a $250 AMSOIL Shopping spree certificate, a commemorative Moto Hero coin, as well as an American Flag courtesy of Columbia Flag & Sign Co. alongside a $200 gift certificate to their online store.

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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