Defending Wiseco John Penton GNCC winner and reigning AMSOIL GNCC Champion Kailub Russell is poised to take over the points lead with a good run in Ohio.
John Penton needs no introduction to the off-road motorcycling world. A former ISDT medalist and namesake of the Penton motorcycle brand, Penton is an off-road pioneer whose life will be profiled in an upcoming film, the John Penton Story, scheduled to be released this month.
Penton is also honored by the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Championship Series every June with the running of the Wiseco John Penton GNCC at Sunday Creek Raceway in Millfield, Ohio. The 25th running of the Wiseco John Penton GNCC is scheduled for this weekend, June 7-8.
The XC1 Pro Class Championship has seen a close battle between Factory FMF/KTM teammates Charlie Mullins and Kailub Russell through the first seven rounds, the two riders trading race wins throughout the season. However, Mullin’s recent wrist injury his championship hopes are all but over.
This shifts the spotlight to Russell, the reigning GNCC champion, who is only seven points behind Mullins in the championship standings as the series prepares for the Wiseco John Penton GNCC. Russell’s confidence has to be bolstered by the knowledge that he netted the overall win at last year’s John Penton GNCC. The Ohio native also posted his fourth win of the season at the previous round.
Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Josh Strang sits third in the championship standings, where the Australian native looks to secure his first victory of the season this Sunday. Strang landed on the podium at the previous round in a true come-from-behind fashion, passing fellow N-Fab AmPro Yamaha rider Jordan Ashburn in the final turn to steal third place. Strang has not claimed a GNCC overall win since 2011, and he has never won an overall at the John Penton. However, the 2010 GNCC Champion has shown the speed and consistency needed to capture a spot in the center of the podium. Ashburn holds fourth place in the championship standings heading into round 8 of the 13-race championship series. After narrowly missing the podium at the previous round, Ashburn will be looking for his second podium appearance of the season this weekend.
N-Fab AmPro Yamaha rider and two-time GNCC champ Paul Whibley is fifth overall in the championship standings, but he also holds the record for most overall wins at the John Penton, having logged four wins in his career. The New Zealand native has had some tough luck in the form of injury this season, but he can never be counted out.
RideMPS.com/AMSOIL/Honda rider Thad DuVall will make his return to the XC1 Pro Class this Sunday. DuVall sustained a shoulder injury at round six and was unable to finish the race. The West Virginia native sat out the next round in his home state and plans to make his return this weekend in Ohio.
KTM Support rider Grant Baylor currently sits sixth in the overall standings and second place in the XC2 Pro Lites class, where he continues to battle with Raines Riding University/Atlas Cycles’ Ricky Russell for the title. Russell reclaimed the XC2 Pro Lites points lead after a dominating win at the previous round, where he now holds a six-point lead over the young Baylor. XC2 Pro Lites rookie Trevor Bollinger holds the third place spot in the class with consistent podium finishes and one victory thus far.
Factory FMF/KTM’s Kacy Martinez continues to hold the top of the WXC class point standings with Ohio rider Mandi Mastin in the second place position. N-Fab AmPro Yamaha rider Becca Sheets rounds out the top three in the class.
Youth bike racing will take place Sunday at 8 a.m., followed by amateurs and Women at 10 a.m., while the top amateurs and pros race at 1 p.m. Local racers are invited to compete at this event, as GNCC Racing offers classes for riders of all skill and experience levels. The amateur racer entry fee is $40 and riders can sign up at the track.
Adult (12+) gate admission is $20 for the full weekend and $10 for kids (6-11). Kids five and under are free. All admission includes pro pit access. Tune into RacerTV.com on Saturday at 1 p.m. EST to catch LIVE coverage of the Pro Bike race at Round 8. For more information on GNCC Live coverage, visit www.racertv.com. For more information on the series, visit www.gnccracing.com.
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