MONTEREY, Tenn. (May 3, 2026) – The Specialized Old Gray GNCC rolled into Monterey, Tennessee this weekend, and set the stage for an exciting few days of racing. With ideal track conditions shaping up throughout the week, racers and fans alike were greeted to prime racing action across the board. Friday showcased the growing excitement of eMTB competition, while Saturday brought the thunder of ATV racing to the rugged Old Gray terrain for round six of the 2026 Progressive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC Racing) Series, an AMA National Championship.

Stewart Boys Racing/Kenda/Pierce Performance’s Wyatt Wilkin put together a flawless performance at the Tennessee round of the GNCC Racing Series, grabbing the $250 BNR Racing holeshot award and never looking back on his way to his first overall win of the 2026 season. From the moment the green flag dropped, Wilkin set the pace out front, navigating the demanding Old Gray terrain with confidence and control. Despite constant pressure from his fellow XC1 competitors throughout the race, he stayed composed, hitting his lines and maintaining the lead from start to finish. It was a hard-fought and well-earned victory for Wilkin, marking a major moment in his 2026 season.

HHR/Fly Racing/QuadTech’s Hunter Hart put together a strong and determined ride to earn a second overall finish in the afternoon race, keeping himself within striking distance of the leader for much of the two-hour battle. Hart rode with consistency and speed, matching the pace up front and navigating the demanding course with precision. Despite the intensity and pressure of the race, he maintained his position near the front, showcasing his ability to contend at the highest level from start to finish.

Action Off-Road/Maxxis/Lonestar Racing’s Jay Shadron, meanwhile, delivered an impressive ride to round out the overall podium in third. After coming through third on the opening lap and going back-and-forth for the duration of the race, his charge back up to third highlighted his endurance and determination. Shadron would battle with the defending champion, Phoenix Racing Yamaha’s Brycen Neal throughout the day, but after a mechanical issue would put Neal out of the top three contention on the last lap.

Just off the overall podium, Sturdivant Racing/Maxxis/Moose Racing’s Branden Owens led the charge with a solid fourth-place finish after a consistent ride throughout the afternoon. Owens kept himself in contention from the early laps, navigating the tough Tennessee terrain with confidence and minimizing mistakes over the course of the two-hour race. His steady pace and ability to manage the demanding conditions allowed him to secure a strong result just shy of the top three.

BNR Motorsports/Fearless/Kenda Tire’s Steven Harrell followed closely behind in fifth, putting together a determined effort against a stacked XC1 field. Harrell maintained a competitive pace and battled through the physical course to earn another respectable finish. Right behind him, Phoenix Racing Yamaha/Action Off-Road/Pierce Performance’s John Glauda Jr. rounded out the top six with a hard-fought ride of his own. Glauda Jr. continued to push forward throughout the race, overcoming challenges and staying consistent to cap off a solid day in Tennessee.

Rounding out the top 10 overall in Tennessee, Phoenix Racing Yamaha’s Brycen Neal and Merritt Racing/BNR Motorsports/GBC’s Josh Merritt each put in determined rides to finish ninth and tenth on the day. Neal battled at the front in third with Shadron for majority of the two-hour race but would suffer a mechanical issue on the last lap that put him back in the pack – making his undefeated season come to an end. Just behind him, Merritt delivered a steady and resilient performance, working his way through the course and maintaining consistency to cross the line in tenth. Both riders showed grit and perseverance, capping off solid efforts at a challenging round of GNCC racing.

In the XC2 Pro-Am class, Nine2/Ryland Johnson Racing/Gregs ATV & Cycle’s Layne McCormick led the way with an impressive performance to claim the class win, putting together a strong and consistent ride against a deep field of competitors. Behind him, a unique family moment unfolded as TDR Motorsports/Elka/ATV Four-Play’s Jeremiah Wolf secured second place, with his father, Brian Wolf, right behind him in third. The father-son duo not only shared the podium but also showcased their competitive drive and experience, making it a memorable finish in the XC2 ranks at the Tennessee round.

Battling his way up throughout the day would earn Christopher Kirby the Old Gray Top Amateur honors as he came through 19 overall and first in the Vet A (28+) class. In second it would be Harrison Lindsay who came through 20 overall and first in the College A class, while Jericho Edmondson came through 23 overall and second in the College A class to round out the Top Amateurs of The Old Gray in 2026.

At the 2026 Specialized Old Gray GNCC, the AM ATV overall podium showcased an impressive mix of youth talent and veteran consistency, highlighted by a breakthrough ride from the 250 All-Star class. Stetson Owens delivered a standout performance against a stacked field, pushing his Yamaha to earn his first-ever AM Overall victory as a 250 All-Star competitor—a significant milestone against older, more experienced riders. Close behind, Pro Row 784/Victory Golf Cart’s Brandon Frazier continued his dominant season form by securing a strong second-place finish, while Kenda/KMK/Ryco Electric’s Cody Collier rounded out the podium in third after rebounding and putting in a consistent and competitive ride. The results underscored the depth of talent across the amateur ranks, with Owens’ overall win marking a major moment for the next generation of GNCC ATV racing. Coming through to round out the 4x4 Pro top three finishers was DeRisi Racing/GBC Tires/Spider Graphic’s Dylan Walraven. At the beginning of the race, it was KW Racing/OBOR/Action Off-Road/KMK’s Kaden Wharff that would be the one to edge out the rest of the 4x4 Pro class to earn the $100 Osburn Off-Road Holeshot Award.

At the 2026 Specialized Old Gray GNCC in Monterey, Tennessee, the WXC ATV class delivered another intense chapter in the highly competitive women’s championship. Battling through the rugged, technical terrain that defines GNCC racing, Pierce Performance/Moose Racing/Lonestar’s Chloe Harper emerged victorious with a commanding ride, continuing her strong season form. Harper also earned herself the $100 BNR Racing WXC Holeshot Award at the start of the race. Close behind, Fearless/Teixeira Tech/BNR’s Hannah Hunter pushed hard throughout the race to secure second place, maintaining pressure but ultimately unable to close the gap. Rounding out the podium was Elioff Racing/BNR Motorsports/GBC Tire’s Jessica Elioff, who rode consistently to lock in a third-place finish after fending off challenges from the rest of the field.

The Youth ATV Overall win would go to Jackson Hancock as he came through ahead of the rest of the pack in the race and in the YXC1 Super Mini Sr. (13-15) class. Hancock would push himself throughout the race to claim his fifth win of the season. Bodie Buckhannon would push himself throughout the race earning second overall and in the YXC1 class while Wyatt Dolan rounded out the top three Youth ATV overall finishers and YXC1 class finishers.

In the YXC2 Super Mini Jr. (12-13) class it was Kody Buckhannon coming through to earn the class win followed by JP Pickens Jr and Bryson Stringfellow in second and third on the day. Aden McGomery earned the 250 (13-15) class win, Bryson McIntire earned the 250 (13-15) Limited class win, Josie Dike earned the 125 (8-12) class win, Bam Margaria earned the 125 (8-12) Limited class win, Gracin Brand earned the 90 (8-12) class win, Lydia Arnold earned the Schoolgirl (12-15) class win, while Aubree Nicholson earned the Girls Sr. (12-15) class win. Kartyre Phillips came through to take the Girls Jr. (8-11) class win, and Kolston Wilson earned the 70 (6-11) class win.

Coming through to take the Micro ATV Overall win was Justin Collins Jr. as he also would grab the MXC1 (8-9) class win at round six. Fellow MXC1 competitor, River Netherton battled through to take second overall and in the class, while Sage Shields rounded out the top three overall Micro ATV finishers, while also earning himself the MXC2 (6-8) class win in Tennessee.

Hunter Sanford earned third in the MXC1 class, while Kolton Beebee and Clay Ottway rounded out the MXC2 top three finishers. In the 90 Stock Sr. (9) class it was Jackston Norman earning the class win, while Mason Gaydos earned the 90 Stock Jr. (8) class win. In the 50 Sr. (6-7) it was Messiah South earning the class win, while Kasen Lewis came through earning the 50 Jr. (4-5) class win.

Earning the Micro Bike Overall win was Peyton Austin, while also coming through to earn the MXC1 (8-9) class win. Austin would push himself throughout the race, earning the center spot on the podium as the checkered flag flew. Jacobi Duvall would come through to take second overall in the Micro Bike race, while also earning his second MXC2 (6-8) class win. Kayson Lanier rounded out the overall podium in third overall, while also securing second in the MXC2 (6-8) class.

Ryder Cordell and Kash Brummage would finish second and third in the MXC1 class, rounding out the top three in that class, while Carson Zink finished third in the MXC2 class at The Old Gray GNCC. In the 50 Sr. 1 (7) class it was Kolt Morrison taking the win, Landon Babineau earned the 50 Sr. 2 (6) class win, Weston Rose earned the 50 Jr. 1 (6-7) class win and Kanton Lanier earned the 50 Jr. 2 (4-5) class win. In the Girls (6-9) class it was Rylee Huff taking the class win, while Nathan Zhang earned the Micro-E (7-8) class. Jagger Weston took home the Micro-E (4-6) class, Brody Bowen would come through to take the Micro-E (4-6) Limited class, while Wake Taylor earned the Micro (4-6) Shaft Dr. class. Roxen Cole earned the Micro-E (4-6) Sportsman class win and Nolan Hamson earned the Trail Rider (6-9) class win.

The opening round of the 2026 Progressive eMTB GNCC National Championship took place on Friday afternoon, where it saw Specialized/Gear Bicycle’s Charlie Mullins battle through to take the overall win. Mullins would not only earn the overall eMTB win but also earn the XC1 Pro class win. Cooepr Stickley and Roger Hunter Shelton would come through to take second and third overall, while finishing first and second in the Amateur (13+) class. Tyler Daniels and Jackson Brown would round out the XC1 Pro top three finishers on the day, while Karder Demidovich came through to take the XC2 Pro Sport class win followed by Taylor Johnson and Braden Ray. Matt Rice would come through in the Amateur (13+) class to secure the last podium spot. Dirk Decesare would come through earning the Senior (40+) class win, while Jon Agin earned the Masters (55+) class win. Will Greathouse earned himself the Big Bore (200lb+) class win in Tennessee, and Ashley Hendershot would battle throughout to earn the Women’s class win. Amber Boland earned herself the Women (35+) class win at the opening round of eMTB racing, while Phillip Sollon Jr. took home the Youth (8-12) class win. Dave Brenneman would take the Sportsman class win in Tennessee.

The 2026 Progressive GNCC Racing Series continues with Round 7 at Powerline Park in St. Clairsville, Ohio, set for May 15–17, where riders and fans can expect one of the most unique and demanding stops on the schedule. Known for its mix of fast sections and tight, technical woods, the former strip mine property features clay-based soil, rocky terrain, and ever-present mud that can challenge even the top competitors.

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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