“Yeah I got an awesome jump off the start,” said Draper, of New Zealand. “I’m not normally an inside guy off the start but I went to the inside off the start and it worked, and I was second into the woods behind BK (Ben Kelley). I got in behind him and I was just going to follow him and figure the track out. I got into the lead in the Penton section and then he got me back. I made another pass on him and tried to sprint a way. I tried to build a gap but I saw KR coming. He was really good on this side of the track from the finish to the Penton section, I think I was better from the pits back to the finish, I think it kind of evened out. I was jammed in between two old boys today [Russell and 2010 GNCC Champion Josh Strang]. Definitely excited to go to Ironman. Hopefully we get some rain there, this was by far the best Penton I’ve ever ridden.”

Barnes topped XC2 for the day and took third overall, and that’s where the drama lives. FMF KTM Factory Racing Lander’s rider Grant Davis had taken control not only of the XC2 class, but also the GNCC Overall National Championship standings this year. He appeared on the verge of the title until a crash at this race led to a DNF. KTM says he’s okay, physically, but now his championship lead sits at just seven points over Ben Kelley, who took eighth overall at The Penton.

Davis actually did clinch the 2025 XC2 Class Championship though, as the rider second in points, his teammate Gus Riordan, finished second in XC2 for the day.

“I was having a great day at The John Penton – I really enjoy this place, and the conditions were great," said Davis. "I was riding really well, but I just made a slight mistake, which cost me a finish. It's nice to wrap up another XC2 250 Pro title, and now I’m fully focused on Ironman.”

If Davis is not 100 percent healthy for Ironman, Kelley has a shot at digging out the GNCC title, especially with riders like Russell and Draper in the mix as spoilers.

As for Barnes, he was pumped to take his first XC2 win this year, even though he just missed the overall victory.

“Yeah I got off to a good start and just tried to hang with Grant [Davis]. He made some passes,” he said. “There was a bottleneck on a hill and we took a different line and passed a bunch of guys. Then he went down pretty hard. I was like, “Well, I guess we’ll just run with it [the lead] and see what we can do.” I got hooked up with Ben [Kelley] and he made a really good push at the two lap board. I tried to hang with him, then he got away a little bit. Last lap we got to the Penton section and took an alternate line around some briars and we both came together. Man, I feel so bad, there was nothing I could do, neither of us could see each other. But we lost some time. That was a bummer, but I’m super pumped to get my first XC2 win of the season. This place has always been good to me, all of my XC2 wins have been here for whatever reason. To finally get my first XC2 win of this season, I’m happy. I’m not going to say I’m not bummed to not get the overall, but only being three seconds away, that’s pretty rad. Third overall I’m pretty pumped on it and pumped to win my class.”

Veteran Strang, of LiquiMoly Beta, took fourth overall and third in XC1.

“Yeah there was one spot near the finish I overshot and almost hit a massive old tree,” said the Australian. “I pushed it hard today but I felt good and I felt comfortable for the most part. There was a gap with two laps to go and I was able to catch back up in the Penton section. There was a big log through there and for some reason I saw the boys going high and right, so I just went over the top and passed Mike [Witkowski] through there. Was able to catch Liam and Kailub a little bit, but they put on a good push, and pulled back away. Third in XC1, I’ll take it, happy. The last race at Beckley was quite dusty, I just got a good start and it was hard for people to push and make passes. Today was a different story. I really feel like I had  the speed of the front runners today and to get the Beta back up on the box, that’s what I’m here for. We want to show the bike is competitive and reliable and I think that’s what we’ve done.”

As for Kelley, he really needed to rally and score max points to take advantage of Davis’ tough day. He led early but a crash set him back, and he could only manage eighth overall.

Ben Kelley: “I ripped the holeshot and battled at the front of the field for the first two laps, leading a lot of it. I then had a crash and a bad third lap, where I dropped back in the pack. I made a charge as best I could on the last two laps after the pit and made a few passes, but I was just too far back. Lots of guys were riding well today, and the racing was super-close! The track was super-fast with little traction, so it was a challenge to find comfort. I'm excited to finish this off in Ironman.”

Also, 2024 GNCC Champion Johnny Girroir returned to action after missing most of the season with injuries, but failed to finish. “I'm excited to be back at the races! It was good to finish the three hours and get my body back right. I made some mistakes in the beginning, but that is from just being away. All-in-all, I am happy to get this one done and ready for the next.”

The complete press release from the GNCC Series is below.

The Wiseco John Penton:
Kailub Russell Back on Top at GNCC

MILLFIELD, Ohio (October 13, 2025) – The Progressive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC Racing) Series presented by Specialized, an AMA National Championship, wrapped up its 12th round of racing in Millfield, Ohio, on Sunday, October 12, bringing an exciting weekend of off-road action to a close at the iconic Sunday Creek Raceway.

Named in honor of off-road legend John Penton, the event once again delivered challenging terrain, unpredictable conditions, and fierce battles across all classes. Fans were treated to intense racing as riders tackled the mix of fast fields, slick woods, and technical hills that make The Penton a true GNCC classic. As the checkered flag waved on Sunday, the event not only celebrated its deep racing heritage but also played a pivotal role in shaping the championship picture heading into the final round of the 2025 season.

AmPro Yamaha’s Kailub Russell would earn his 68th career overall win — and his first since July 12, 2020 — after coming out of retirement for the 2025 season. The eight-time GNCC National Champion proved he still has the skill, endurance, and competitive fire that defined his dominant run from 2013 to 2020. In a thrilling display of speed and strategy, Russell battled through some tough conditions and a stacked field to claim the top spot once again, reminding fans and fellow riders why he’s considered one of the greatest off-road racers in history.

Russell’s teammate, AmPro Yamaha’s Liam Draper would put in another good race as he continued to battle at the front of the pack from start to finish. Draper would find himself up in the lead position for the second and third laps of the race, before going to battle with his teammate. Draper was unable to hold off a hard-charging Russell in Ohio but would hold onto second overall with just three seconds separating the teammates as they came through the finish line.

XC2 250 Pro competitor, Phoenix Racing Honda’s Cody Barnes continued to battle through the duration of the three-hour race, earning himself third overall on the day as the checkered flag flew, and his first XC2 250 Pro class win of the season. During the earlier laps of the race, Barnes found himself holding the overall top spot in the race with the adjusted start row times. However, the XC1 front-runners would pick up the pace on the last lap, holding Barnes off by a couple seconds for the top spots.

Earning his second-straight podium finish was Liqui Moly Factory Beta Racing’s Josh Strang as he came through to take third in XC1, and fourth overall on the day. Strang would battle for majority of the race with Phoenix Racing Honda’s Michael Witkowski as they contested for the last podium spot in XC1. Strang would be able to hold off Witkowski after making the pass stick, but Witkowski was ready to try and make a last corner pass at the finish. Strang would once again hold his line and cross the line .7 seconds ahead of Witkowski who finished fourth in XC1 and fifth overall.

Coming through to finish second in the XC2 250 Pro class was FMF KTM Factory Racing Lander’s Angus Riordan. As the race got underway Riordan would find himself battling his way up towards the front after coming through fifth on the opening lap. Riordan would try to keep the leader in his sights, but he was unable to make a serious push for the class win in Ohio. Riordan would still earn valuable points in the points standings and is looking to finish strong at Ironman in two weeks.

Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki Team Green’s Grant Baylor put in a good race as he finished fifth in XC1, and seventh overall on the day. FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Benjamin Kelley would hold the early lead, but after a fall during the race he would find himself trying to remount and make another push to the front. Kelley would ultimately cross the line eighth overall and sixth in XC1. As he heads in to the season finale, he sits just seven points behind Davis.

Rounding out the XC2 250 Pro class podium was Rocket Racing/Bonecutter Off-Road’s Brody Johnson at round 12. Johnson had a consistent race as he steadily made his way up to third in his class and ninth overall. Enduro Engineering Triumph Racing’s Ricky Russell put in a charge after coming through 12^th on the opening lap. Russell would continue to put his head down and make his way up to seventh in XC1 and round out the top 10 overall finishers at round 12.

Unfortunately, FMF KTM Factory Racing Lander’s Grant Davis faced some misfortune this weekend in Ohio, crashing out of the race but still securing enough points to clinch the XC2 250 Pro National Championship. Despite the setback, his consistent performance throughout the season earned him the title, marking a major milestone in his young career. Now, with the XC2 crown locked in, Davis turns his focus to the season finale at Ironman GNCC, where he has a shot at claiming the coveted Overall National Championship. His determination and resilience, even in the face of disappointment, showcase the heart of a true competitor and set the stage for an exciting showdown in Indiana.

In the XC3 125 Pro-Am class it was Philippe Chaine coming through to take the class win after three hours of intense battling. Jayson Crawford would come through to finish second in the class while Isaiah Brown came through to finish third after earning the $100 Lojak Cycle Sales Holeshot Award to start the day.

The Top Amateur honors at The John Penton would go to Ohio’s own, Joseph Cunningham as he came through to finish 16th overall and first in the 250 A class on Sunday afternoon. Lane Whitmer would come through to earn second on that Top Amateur podium as he finished 17th overall and second in 250 A, while Gavin Simon finished 18th overall on the day rounding out the top three Top Amateurs and 250 A competitors.

As the morning race got underway in Ohio, FMF KTM Factory Racing Lander’s Brandy Richards would get a good jump off the WXC line to start her day as she grabbed the $100 Landers KTM WXC Holeshot Award and led the racers into the woods. However, it wouldn’t take long for Rockstar Energy Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Korie Steede to ensue in a battle for the lead with Richards.

Steede would make a pass for the lead around the halfway mark in their two-hour race through the slick Ohio terrain. Richards would try to fight back as she only sat 1.3 seconds behind Steede when coming through timing and scoring. Nevertheless, Steede would be able to hold off Richards through the last lap and earn her fifth WXC win of the season. Richards would continue to push and cross the line second with just 1.3 seconds separating herself from Steede.

“I got off to a pretty slow start, but I think around turn three I just went full send and got into second behind Brandy [Richards],” reflected Steede. “It was a battle from there, dealing with lapped riders and fighting our way through, but the three of us were in a hell of a battle. I think this was the best John Penton we have had to date, and now we’ll take a lot of positives into the final round.”