WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (June 24, 2026) – The Progressive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC Racing) Series, an AMA National Championship, returned to New York for the first time since 2019 for the inaugural AMSOIL Watkins Glen GNCC at Watkins Glen International. Set against the backdrop of one of America's most iconic racing facilities, competitors took on a brand-new course that blended Watkins Glen International's rich motorsports history with GNCC's signature off-road terrain. With valuable championship points still up for grabs and the series inching closer to summer break, the women's classes once again showcased the determination, consistency, and competitiveness that have defined this season so far.

The Saturday AM ATV race saw Pierce Performance/Moose Racing/Lonestar’s Chloe Harper picking up the $100 Osburn Off-Road WXC Holeshot Award on her tribute quad to the late NASCAR racer Kyle Busch. Harper controlled the race early, leading the opening two laps before Fearless/Teixeira Tech/BNR's Hannah Hunter moved into the top spot on lap three. Harper responded on the following lap, reclaiming the lead as she and Hunter remained separated by just one second heading into the final stages of the race.

Despite Hunter's late-race charge, she was unable to close the gap, crossing the finish line just 12 seconds behind Harper. The victory marked Harper's sixth win of the 2026 season as she continued to strengthen her hold on the WXC championship standings. While Harper and Hunter battled for the lead, an equally intense fight unfolded for the final spot on the podium. Lojak Cycle Sales/BNR Motorsports/MSR Racing/GBC’s Hannalyn Venesky came through the opening lap in seventh before steadily working her way forward into podium contention, but the battle behind her remained anything but settled.

JMR/Action Off-Road/GBC/Moose Racing’s Katelyn Osburn and Elioff Racing/BNR Motorsports/GBC Tires’ Jessica Elioff kept the pressure on throughout the five-lap contest, with the trio trading seconds as the demanding Watkins Glen course tested both riders and machines. Venesky maintained her composure in the closing stages, crossing the finish line in third to secure her first ever WXC podium finish. Osburn followed just 46 seconds back in fourth, while Elioff rounded out the top five after remaining within striking distance of the podium battle all afternoon.In the Women’s class, Gracie Wolfe put together a flawless ride at Watkins Glen, leading from the opening lap and never relinquishing the top spot. Wolfe steadily built her advantage throughout the race to earn her first class victory of the year. Behind her, Paisley Stout maintained control of second after settling into the position on the opening lap, while Sydney Sams mounted an impressive charge through the field. After beginning the day outside the podium positions, Sams worked her way into third by lap three and held strong through the checkered flag to secure the final podium spot.

Ciara Shadron continued her winning ways in the Women's 25+ class, controlling the race from the moment the green flag waved. Sarah Parkhurst settled into second early and maintained the position throughout the race, while Melanie Boynton completed the podium in third after persevering through the demanding conditions of the New York Course.

The Women's C class saw Lakah Carr continue her dominant 2026 campaign, earning her sixth victory of the season at Watkins Glen. Although Emma Howell led the opening lap, Carr quickly took over on lap two and never looked back, controlling the remainder of the race to claim the win. Howell held steady to finish second, while Ella Shriver delivered a consistent performance of her own, running inside the top three all day to secure the final podium position.

In the Youth ATV race, the Schoolgirl class delivered one of the closest finishes of the day as Khloe Oliver battled through a tightly contested race to earn the victory. After leading the opening lap, Oliver briefly relinquished the top spot to Raelynn Dickerson on lap two before reclaiming the lead on the following circuit. Kimber Lowry remained in the mix throughout the four-lap race, keeping the pressure on the front-runners. In the end, Oliver held on for the win, with Dickerson finishing just 13 seconds behind in second and Lowry securing third after crossing the line less than a second back of Dickerson.

In the Girls Sr. class, Emmerson Swantek put together another impressive performance, leading all three laps on her way to the class victory. While Swantek controlled the race out front, the battle for the remaining podium positions continued to evolve behind her.

Avery Hough worked her way into second by the end of lap two, but Tori Barrett mounted a late charge, posting one of the fastest final laps in the class to overtake Hough and secure the runner-up position. Hough held on to complete the podium in third after a consistent ride through the Watkins Glen woods.

Kynlee Bowman led the way in the Girls Jr. class, putting together a commanding ride to sweep all three laps and earn the victory at Watkins Glen. Behind her, the battle for the final two podium positions remained close throughout the race. Kartyr Phillips held second through the opening two laps, but Audrey Petrilla made her move on the final lap, edging Phillips for the runner-up spot. Petrilla crossed the finish line in second, while Phillips completed the podium just 0.840 seconds behind in third.

Following exciting ATV racing, Sunday morning shifted the focus to the WXC Bike class where Am Pro Yamaha’s Danielle McDonald wasted little time moving to the front, leading from the opening lap and establishing herself as the rider to beat. However, with FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Brandy Richards entering Watkins Glen riding a three-race win streak and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Korie Steede close behind in the championship standings, the battle for the overall victory was far from settled.

Richards remained within striking distance through the opening stages before mounting her biggest push of the race midway through the event. After trailing by more than 24 seconds after lap two, Richards cut the deficit to just 3.6 seconds on lap three, setting up a thrilling showdown over the final two laps. McDonald answered every challenge, maintaining her composure and delivering two strong closing laps to keep Richards at bay. McDonald crossed the finish line 14.220 seconds ahead of Richards, earning her third WXC victory of the season while breaking Richards' three-race win streak.

Behind the lead battle, Steede settled into third on the opening lap and remained there despite facing adversity throughout the race. After losing ground to the leaders on lap two, the Husqvarna rider regrouped to secure another podium finish and valuable championship points. Moose Offroad, Solid Performance Suspension, Remax’s Jocelyn Barnes turned in one of her strongest rides of the season to finish fourth, while Chopper Automotive’s Carly Lee rounded out the top five after a consistent effort on the demanding Watkins Glen course. McDonald's victory not only added another win to her 2026 campaign but also tightened the championship picture as the WXC contenders continue their fight through the second half of the Progressive GNCC Racing season.

In the Women's class, Megan Janyssek put together a dominant performance at Watkins Glen, leading all four laps to secure the victory. While Janyssek controlled the race from the front, the battle for the remaining podium positions unfolded behind her.

Madison Harmon held second through the opening half of the race before Zoey Kimble charged forward from fifth on the first lap to take over the runner-up position on lap three. Kimble maintained the spot through the checkered flag to finish second, while Harmon completed the podium in third after a consistent ride on the demanding New York course.

The Women (30+) class featured a lead change early in the race as Amber Aubain paced the field on the opening lap before Cassie Rupp took over the top spot on laptwo. Rupp continued to build her advantage over the final two laps, pulling away to earn the victory at Watkins Glen. Aubain held on to finish second after leading the early stages of the race, while Erin Dillman rounded out the podium with a steady performance to secure third in the demanding New York conditions.

Molly Zielfelder dominated the Women C class at Watkins Glen, leading all three laps to secure the class victory aboard her Husqvarna. While Zielfelder controlled the race from the front, the battle for the remaining podium positions took shape behind her. Pepper Swartz worked her way up from fourth on the opening lap to claim the runner-up position on lap two, while Kate Bacon held steady inside the top three throughout the race to complete the podium with a third-place finish.

Transitioning to the Youth Bike race, Vaida Lavergne continued her impressive season in the Girls Super Mini class, leading all five laps to earn another victory at Watkins Glen. Isla Kastel kept Lavergne honest throughout the race, remaining within striking distance during the early laps before ultimately finishing second. Behind them, Kendall Bierly overcame a mid-race shuffle in the running order to battle her way back onto the podium, reclaiming third in the closing stages to cap off a determined ride through the challenging New York course.

In the Girls 85 class, Aubrey Tsakanikas added another victory to her standout 2026 campaign with a commanding wire-to-wire performance at Watkins Glen. The KTM rider led all four laps, steadily extending her advantage to secure the win. Maura Tsakanikas rode a consistent race to finish second after holding the position throughout the event, while Jessie Slattery worked her way into podium contention on lap two and maintained third through the checkered flag to complete the podium.

Jhorjie Walker captured her fifth victory of the 2026 season in the Girls Jr. class with a commanding wire-to-wire performance at Watkins Glen. Walker led all four laps to secure the win, while the battle for the remaining podium positions remained competitive behind her. Gemmini Cadieux held second through the opening two laps before Matilda Revoyr mounted a charge on lap three to move into the runner-up spot. Revoyr maintained the position through the checkered flag to finish second, while Cadieux completed the podium in third after a strong ride through the demanding New York terrain.

In the Micro Bike Girls class, Rylee Huff continued her strong 2026 campaign by earning another victory at Watkins Glen. Nina Berghof stayed in contention throughout the four-lap race, consistently running in second to secure the runner-up position. AlbaBoyer completed the podium after battling her way back into third on the final lap, claiming a top-three finish.

Watkins Glen also marked a milestone for women's racing in the Progressive GNCC Series, Watkins Glen also proved to be a landmark weekend for women's racing, as a season-high 205 women and girls lined up across their designated classes throughout the event. From the premier WXC divisions to the youth and micro ranks, the record-setting participation showcased the continued growth of female involvement in GNCC Racing and highlighted the bright future of women's off-road competition.