WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (June 7, 2026) – The inaugural AMSOIL Watkins Glen International GNCC got underway on Saturday, June 6, as the Progressive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC Racing) Series, an AMA National Championship, made its highly anticipated return to New York for the first time since 2019. Set against the backdrop of the legendary Watkins Glen International, riders from across the country tackled a challenging and unique course that blended the venue’s rich motorsports heritage with GNCC’s signature off-road racing action. Fans received a full day of intense competition, exciting battles for championship points, and a historic moment as the series launched an all-new event at one of America’s most iconic racing facilities.

Phoenix Racing Yamaha's Brycen Neal found himself locked in an intense battle with Sturdivant Racing/Maxxis/Moose Racing's Branden Owens during the opening half of the race, as the two frontrunners traded the lead multiple times while navigating the challenging Watkins Glen terrain. Owens kept the pressure on Neal through the early laps, matching his pace and refusing to let the defending champion break away. The duo separated themselves from the rest of the field, creating an exciting head-to-head contest that had fans watching closely as they raced wheel-to-wheel through the New York course.

As the race wore on, Neal began to claim control at the front of the pack. After finally creating some breathing room, Neal steadily increased his advantage over Owens and the chasing racers, putting together a series of fast, consistent laps. With clear track ahead, Neal focused on extending his lead and minimizing mistakes, ultimately crossing the finish line first overall once again. The victory marked another dominant performance for Neal, who continued to strengthen his championship campaign. Owens would hold onto second overall in the race, his second pro podium finish of the season.

HHR/Fly Racing/QuadTech's Hunter Hart put together one of the most impressive rides of the day in front of his home-state fans, charging from eighth place on the opening laps to earn the final overall podium position by the checkered flag. Hart carefully worked his way through the field, breaking into the top five before moving into fourth and battling for a podium spot as the race entered its latter stages. With momentum on his side, the New York native continued to push forward, making the pass for third and securing a hard-fought podium finish at the inaugural AMSOIL Watkins Glen International GNCC. Competing just a short distance from his hometown, Hart gave the local crowd plenty to cheer about as he capped off a remarkable comeback ride with a podium finish in front of family, friends and supporters.

Action Off-Road/Maxxis/Lonestar Racing’s Jay Shadron and Stewart Boys Racing/Kenda/Pierce Performance’s Wyatt Wilkin remained in the mix at the front of the pack throughout the duration of the race, putting together strong and consistent rides as they fought to secure top five overall finishes. Both racers kept themselves within striking distance as the laps unfolded, navigating the Watkins Glen course while battling among the lead group. When the checkered flag flew, Shadron came through to claim fourth overall, with Wilkin rounding out the top five in fifth on the day, capping off solid performances for both racers at the inaugural AMSOIL Watkins Glen International GNCC.

Coming through to finish sixth overall on the day was Merritt Racing/BNR Motorsports/GBC’s Josh Merritt as he continued to push himself throughout the race. Merritt would have a consistent day running seventh for the majority of the race, until making a last lap push to make the pass for sixth overall in New York. Phoenix Racing Yamaha/Action Off-Road/Pierce Performance’s John Glauda Jr. was unable to hold off Merritt on the last lap, losing his sixth overall position that he had ran in for much of the race and finishing seventh overall at round eight.

JMR/GBC/Elka/Moose Racing’s Jarrod McClure had a good start to the race as he got off the line and earned the $250 BNR Racing XC1 Holeshot Award. As the race continued, McClure would continue to push himself in the XC1 Pro class. McClure would battle alongside his fellow racers coming through to secure eighth overall and in class.

The XC2 Pro-Am class featured a thrilling battle at the front of the pack as Nine2/Ryland Johnson Racing/Gregs ATV and Cycle’s Layne McCormick grabbed the $100 Osburn Off-Road Holeshot Award and set the pace through the opening laps of the inaugural AMSOIL Watkins Glen International GNCC. McCormick looked strong from the start, navigating the demanding New York terrain with confidence while building a small advantage over the rest of the class. However, Maxxis Tires/Sunoco Fuel/Fly Racing/TDR Motorsports’ Braxton Grosse remained within striking distance, carefully managing the gap as the two frontrunners separated themselves from the chasing riders.

As the race wore on, Grosse began to close in on the leader and eventually made his move for the top position during the latter half of the race. Once out front, Grosse put down a series of consistent laps to create some breathing room and maintain control of the XC2 Pro-Am lead. McCormick continued to battle hard until the checkered flag, but it was Grosse who earned the class victory in New York, with McCormick securing a well-deserved second-place finish after leading much of the race. Together, the pair delivered one of the day's most exciting class battles at Watkins Glen International.

Coming from the back of the pack to round out the top three XC2 finishers was TDR Motorsports/Elak/ATV Four-Play’s Jeremiah Wolf. As the race got underway Wolf would come through seventh on the opening lap, but he would continue to push himself for the duration of the two-hour race and make the necessary moves up to finish on the podium as the checkered flag flew in New York.

The Top Amateur honors at the inaugural AMSOIL Watkins Glen International GNCC went to Andrew Smallwood who came through to finish 15th overall in the afternoon race while also earning the College A (16-19) class win. Jericho Edmondson would come through 16th overall to be second on the Top Amateur podium, as well as a second in the College A (16-19) class. Christopher Kirby rounded out the Top Amateur podium as he finished 17th overall and first in the Vet A (28+) class.

The morning ATV Overall podium was led by Pro Row 784/Victory Golf Cart’s Brandon Frazier, who put together a dominant performance to earn the overall victory at the inaugural AMSOIL Watkins Glen International GNCC. Frazier maintained a strong pace throughout the race and successfully navigated the demanding New York course to secure the top spot in the race and in the 4x4 Pro class. Kenda/KMK/Ryco Electric’s Cody Collier also enjoyed a standout ride, battling near the front of the field from start to finish before crossing the line second overall. DeRisi Racing/GBC Tires/Spider Graphic’s Dylan Walraven rounded out the AM ATV Overall podium with a solid and consistent effort of his own, earning third overall and completing an impressive day for the amateur ranks at Watkins Glen.

In the 4x4 Pro class, the battle for the podium remained intense throughout the race as the class frontrunners pushed through the challenging terrain and changing conditions. The division once again showcased the determination and endurance that has become synonymous with 4x4 Pro competition, with riders battling for every position until the checkered flag. The class podium finishers delivered strong performances at the inaugural event, adding another exciting chapter to the first-ever GNCC race weekend at Watkins Glen International.

The WXC class saw Pierce Performance/Moose Racing/Lonestar’s Chloe Harper lead the way in New York, after grabbing the $100 Osburn Off-Road WXC Holeshot Award she would come through earning the class victory after a strong and consistent ride at the inaugural AMSOIL Watkins Glen International GNCC. Harper navigated the challenging course conditions with confidence, maintaining her pace throughout the race to secure the top spot on the podium. Fearless/Teixeira Tech/BNR’s Hannah Hunter also put together an impressive performance, battling near the front of the class all day long before crossing the finish line second in WXC.

Rounding out the WXC podium was Lojak Cycle Sales/BNR Motorsports/MSR Racing/GBC’s Hannah Venesky, who delivered a determined ride to claim third place in front of the New York crowd. Venesky remained in contention throughout the race and capitalized on her consistency to secure a podium finish at one of the most anticipated rounds of the season. Together, Harper, Hunter and Venesky completed the WXC top three and showcased the depth of talent in the women's division at the first-ever GNCC event held at Watkins Glen International.

As the ATV Youth race took off first this morning it was an all-out battle throughout the duration of the race for Bodie Buckhannon, Jacob Smallwood and Jackson Hancock as all three would go back-and-forth for the lead position. Buckhannon would make a last lap pass on Smallwood for the lead and come through the finish line to score his second overall and YXC1 Super Mini Sr. (13-15) class win of the season. Smallwood would continue to battle for second as Hancock tried to close in, Smallwood held the position and would cross the line 0.907 of a second ahead of Hancock for them to round out the top three ATV Youth overall finishers in New York.

Bryson Stringfellow would be credited with the YXC2 Super Mini Jr. (12-13) class win (class still under review at time of posting), Aden McGomery would battle through to take the 250 (13-15) class win, Brantley Slack would come through to earn first in the 250 (13-15) Limited class, Riley Morrow would earn the 125 (8-12) class win and Kayden Muse earned the 125 (8-12) Limited class win. Chad McCormick came through to take the 90 (8-12) class win in New York, while Khloe Oliver earned the Schoolgirl (12-15) class at round eight. Emmerson Swantek came through to earn the Girls Sr. (12-15) class win, and Kynlee Bowman earned the Girls Jr. (8-11) class win. Gavin Sowers would come through first in the 70 (6-11) class.

Coming through to earn the ATV Micro overall win was Justin Collins Jr. as he also earned the MXC1 (8-1) class win at round eight. Sage Shields would come through to finish second overall in the race, while taking home the MXC2 (6-8) class win also. Mason Gaydos rounded out the ATV Micro Overall podium as he came through to claim the 90 Stock Jr. (8) class win. Clayton Lukoskie would battle back and take home the 90 Stock Sr. (9) class win, Otto Margaria would earn the 50 Sr. (6-7) class win and Kasen Lewis would come through first in the 50 Jr. (4-5) class at the all-new GNCC of Watkins Glen. Casen Daggett would take the 90 NYOA class win.

In the Bike Micro 1 race it was Jacobi Duvall battling throughout the race to take the overall win and the MXC2 (6-8) class win. Peyton Austin would come through to earn second overall in the Bike Micro 1 race while earning the MXC1 (8-9) class win. Rounding out the top three Bike Micro 1 race finishers was Carson Zink as he clinched third overall and second in the MXC2 class. Kolt Morrison took home the 50 Sr. 1 (7) class win in New York, Bentley Ham took home the 50 Sr. 2 (6) class win followed by Weston Rose earning the 50 Jr. 1 (6-7) class win and Rylee Huff earning the Girls (6-9) class win in the first Bike Micro race of the day. Nathan Zhang would come through to take the Micro-E (7-8) class win and Hunter Sanford took the Trail Rider (6-9) class win. Taking the overall win in the Bike Micro 2 race was Jagger Weston of the Micro-E (4-6) class, while Sean McAllen took second overall and first in the 50 Jr. 2 (4-5) class. Grant Gricewich would round out the top three finishers as he finished second in the Micro-E (4-5) class. Ryott Secoy would come through to earn the Micro-E (4-6) Limited class win and Colson Faust earned the Micro (4-6) Shaft Drive class win. Audrey MacGillivray came through to take the Micro-E (4-6) Sportsman class win.

The Bike Youth race also took place on Saturday afternoon after the Pro ATV’s finished up. It was an all-out battle once again at the front of the pack with Phillip Arnold and Bentley Saxon. Arnold would swap the lead with Saxon throughout the course of their race, but at the end of the day and as the checkered flag flew it was Arnold holding onto that number one spot. Arnold would come through to take his sixth Youth Bike Overall win of the season and YXC1 Super Mini Sr. (14-15) class win. Saxon would hold on to finish second overall and in the class. Battling back to finish third overall on the day was 85 Big Wheel (14-15) class winner, Evan Porter. Ace Tokar would come through to finish third in the YXC1 class at round eight.

Maverick Boyer would come through to take the YXC2 Super Mini Jr. (12-13) class win ahead of Jhenner Walker and Hunter Jones. Colton Propst earned the 85 Big Wheel (11-13) class win, James Razor took the 85 (12-13) class win, Tripp Lewis earned the 8 (11) class win and Kane Morrison came through first in the 85 (7-10) class. Davey Fairfield earned the 65 (10-11) class win in New York, while Ryder Baricska came through to earn the 65 (9) class win and Carson Zink would earn the 65 (7-8) class win. Vaida Lavergne earned her seventh win of the season in the Girls Super Mini (12-16) class, and in the Girls 85 (7-13) class it was Aubrey Tsakanikas earning the win while Jhorjie Walker earned the Girls 65 (7-11) class win. Ryder Spry took home a win in the Trail Rider (7-15) class.

After an exciting inaugural visit to Watkins Glen International, the Progressive Grand National Cross Country Series will now turn its attention to one of the most iconic events on the schedule, the Yamaha Racing Snowshoe GNCC at Snowshoe Mountain Resort in Snowshoe, West Virginia, June 26-28, 2026. Known for its rugged mountain terrain, elevation changes and challenging conditions, Snowshoe consistently provides some of the toughest and most memorable racing of the season. With championship battles continuing to heat up across all classes, riders and fans alike can look forward to another action-packed weekend of GNCC Racing as the series heads to the mountains for Round 9 of the 2026 season.

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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