GNCC Racing: Diving right into it, heading into Powerline Park, you and two other Open A riders had each earned two wins on the season. Walk us through your race and what it took to break through for your third victory this year. 

Cole Whitmer: It’s been a great season so far with super tight battles between the 3 of us. It’s honestly been really fun going back and forth with the guys. Powerline started off pretty much the same way. I was back and forth for the lead the first few laps, but I was able to get back in the lead on the 3rd lap and separate myself a bit. I think the heat really took a toll on all of us that race, so I was just trying to find that limit of pushing enough but not too much to where I’d overheat myself for the final few laps.

You've already won Open A championships in both 2022 and 2025. What lessons from those championship seasons are helping you in this year's title chase?

It has been awesome to be able to grab a few championships from the GNCC’s! It’s been steady progression since then, just trying to find that next step to move up to the pro class. I think the biggest thing that has helped with the championships is staying consistent and taking it race by race. It’s okay to take a 2nd or a 3rd here and there if it’s a track that I’m struggling to find comfort on. Especially early on in the season. There’s a lot of racing, and you can’t win the championship in the first few rounds, but you definitely can lose it.  

You've earned several strong overall finishes against riders from multiple classes. How much attention do you pay to the overall standings during a race?  

Typically, I don’t know my exact overall position during the race, but I can usually gauge it by how far up in the 250 A class I’ve caught. The goal is to be on the amateur podium, so whether I’m out front in my class or not, I’m always trying to push forward and do the best I can!  

As a GNCC race progresses, the track can look completely different from how it did on the opening lap. How do you adapt to changing conditions and evolving lines throughout the race?

Sometimes it can be tough, especially with the mud races where the track can change nearly every lap. I think just staying focused and trying not to let my mind wander out there works the best for me. 3 hours is a long time so it’s easy to lose focus or get bored out there.  

Take us back to the beginning. When did you first start riding, and what got you into racing dirt bikes?

It’s definitely been a journey! My dad raced quads professionally in the GNCC’s and then switched to be a mechanic for Barry Hawk on the bike side when I was super young. So, it’s always been in our blood. I started on a PW50 when I was about 2 years old. I didn’t race much growing up as a kid, I was pretty serious with sports, especially wrestling, as I got older. I did my first GNCC in 2016 and then a full season in 2018 in the 250B class and have been all in since then!  

Your brother Lane is also one of the top amateur riders in GNCC Racing. What's it like having a sibling competing at such a high level alongside you? 

Lane and I are side by side for basically everything we do.  It’s pretty awesome. I’ve taught him pretty much everything I know, and now I’m wondering if that was a bad idea since we are kind of competitors now ha-ha. All jokes aside, I wouldn’t ask for it any other way. We push each other to be better every day, and I feel like it’s really helped us get to where we are today. I feel like I want him to succeed just as bad as myself most of the time. We’ve created a pretty strong bond that will go on much further in life than just racing, so that’s pretty cool.  

What experience or lesson from the past few seasons has had the biggest impact on the racer you are today?

Never take it for granted. Things can change quickly in this sport as we all know. So, I’ve learned to be grateful for the opportunities I have and try to make the most out of them each and every day!  

The series heads to Watkins Glen next. How excited are you to take on a brand-new GNCC venue, and what are your expectations going into the weekend?

I’m really looking forward to it! I’ve heard it might be on the tighter side, so I’m excited about that. I’m hoping to keep the momentum rolling from Powerline and go for another win.  

Looking toward the future, what goals have you set for yourself both for the remainder of this season and beyond?

My goals are to win the class championship and then hopefully move up to Pro class next season. I’d like to start clicking off more amateur podiums the rest of the year as well.

Outside of racing, what are some things you enjoy doing in your free time?  

Outside of racing, I enjoy hunting, fishing, golfing, and hanging out with my buddies. Sometimes it’s nice to have a little bit of separation from the racing world since we pretty much eat, sleep and breathe it! 

Lastly, I know you don’t do this thing alone. You’ve got some incredible people and sponsors behind you as well. Who would you like to thank?  

First off, I’d like to thank my parents. Without them, my brother and I wouldn’t be able to live the crazy life that we do. My cousin Tucker, GASGAS, Antti Kallonen, Enduro Engineering, and the Randt Family for all they do for us. Brian Vasko at Waynesburg Powersports, Moose Racing, Dave and the guys at Helmet House, Shoei Helmets, Sidi Boots, Lance at XC Gear, Bi-Con and the Patterson family, Scott Goggles, Guts, G2, Eline, FMF, DK Motorsports, and everyone else who supports this journey!