GNCC Round 6 Coverage: The Specialized Old Gray

A new winner emerges in TN.

The Specialized Old Gray GNCC rolled into Monterey, Tennessee this weekend, and set the stage for an exciting few days of racing. With ideal track conditions shaping up throughout the week, racers and fans alike were greeted to prime racing action across the board. Friday showcased the growing excitement of eMTB competition, while Saturday brought the thunder of ATV racing to the rugged Old Gray terrain for round six of the 2026 Progressive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC Racing) Series, an AMA National Championship.

Stewart Boys Racing/Kenda/Pierce Performance’s Wyatt Wilkin put together a flawless performance at the Tennessee round of the GNCC Racing Series, grabbing the $250 BNR Racing holeshot award and never looking back on his way to his first overall win of the 2026 season. From the moment the green flag dropped, Wilkin set the pace out front, navigating the demanding Old Gray terrain with confidence and control. Despite constant pressure from his fellow XC1 competitors throughout the race, he stayed composed, hitting his lines and maintaining the lead from start to finish. It was a hard-fought and well-earned victory for Wilkin, marking a major moment in his 2026 season.

HHR/Fly Racing/QuadTech’s Hunter Hart put together a strong and determined ride to earn a second overall finish in the afternoon race, keeping himself within striking distance of the leader for much of the two-hour battle. Hart rode with consistency and speed, matching the pace up front and navigating the demanding course with precision. Despite the intensity and pressure of the race, he maintained his position near the front, showcasing his ability to contend at the highest level from start to finish.

Action Off-Road/Maxxis/Lonestar Racing’s Jay Shadron, meanwhile, delivered an impressive ride to round out the overall podium in third. After coming through third on the opening lap and going back-and-forth for the duration of the race, his charge back up to third highlighted his endurance and determination. Shadron would battle with the defending champion, Phoenix Racing Yamaha’s Brycen Neal throughout the day, but after a mechanical issue would put Neal out of the top three contention on the last lap.

Just off the overall podium, Sturdivant Racing/Maxxis/Moose Racing’s Branden Owens led the charge with a solid fourth-place finish after a consistent ride throughout the afternoon. Owens kept himself in contention from the early laps, navigating the tough Tennessee terrain with confidence and minimizing mistakes over the course of the two-hour race. His steady pace and ability to manage the demanding conditions allowed him to secure a strong result just shy of the top three.

BNR Motorsports/Fearless/Kenda Tire’s Steven Harrell followed closely behind in fifth, putting together a determined effort against a stacked XC1 field. Harrell maintained a competitive pace and battled through the physical course to earn another respectable finish. Right behind him, Phoenix Racing Yamaha/Action Off-Road/Pierce Performance’s John Glauda Jr. rounded out the top six with a hard-fought ride of his own. Glauda Jr. continued to push forward throughout the race, overcoming challenges and staying consistent to cap off a solid day in Tennessee.

Rounding out the top 10 overall in Tennessee, Phoenix Racing Yamaha’s Brycen Neal and Merritt Racing/BNR Motorsports/GBC’s Josh Merritt each put in determined rides to finish ninth and tenth on the day. Neal battled at the front in third with Shadron for majority of the two-hour race but would suffer a mechanical issue on the last lap that put him back in the pack – making his undefeated season come to an end. Just behind him, Merritt delivered a steady and resilient performance, working his way through the course and maintaining consistency to cross the line in tenth. Both riders showed grit and perseverance, capping off solid efforts at a challenging round of GNCC racing.

In the XC2 Pro-Am class, Nine2/Ryland Johnson Racing/Gregs ATV & Cycle’s Layne McCormick led the way with an impressive performance to claim the class win, putting together a strong and consistent ride against a deep field of competitors. Behind him, a unique family moment unfolded as TDR Motorsports/Elka/ATV Four-Play’s Jeremiah Wolf secured second place, with his father, Brian Wolf, right behind him in third. The father-son duo not only shared the podium but also showcased their competitive drive and experience, making it a memorable finish in the XC2 ranks at the Tennessee round.

The WXC ATV class delivered another intense chapter in the highly competitive women’s championship. Battling through the rugged, technical terrain that defines GNCC racing, Pierce Performance/Moose Racing/Lonestar’s Chloe Harper emerged victorious with a commanding ride, continuing her strong season form. Harper also earned herself the $100 BNR Racing WXC Holeshot Award at the start of the race. Close behind, Fearless/Teixeira Tech/BNR’s Hannah Hunter pushed hard throughout the race to secure second place, maintaining pressure but ultimately unable to close the gap. Rounding out the podium was Elioff Racing/BNR Motorsports/GBC Tire’s Jessica Elioff, who rode consistently to lock in a third-place finish after fending off challenges from the rest of the field.

For more information on the GNCC series, visit the official website at www.gnccracing.com

The Specialized Old Gray GNCC Results and Points Standings
Monterey, Tennessee
Round 6 of 13
Saturday, May 2, 2026

Overall Pro Event Results:

Wyatt Wilkin (YAM)
Hutner Hart (YAM)
Jay Shadron (YAM)
Branden Owens (YAM)
Steven Harrell (YAM)
John Glauda Jr. (YAM)
Layne McCormick (HON)
Jeremiah Wolf (YAM)
Brycen Neal (YAM)
Josh Merritt (YAM)

Overall National Championship Standings:

Brycen Neal (162)
Wyatt Wilkin (140)
Hunter Hart (117)
Jay Shadron (101)
John Glauda Jr. (96)
Steven Harrell (94)
Josh Merritt (87)
Branden Owens (87)
Braxton Grosse (59)
Chris Borich (58)

XC2 Pro-Am Event Results:

Layne McCormick (HON)
Jeremiah Wolf (YAM)
Brian Wolf (YAM)
Braxton Grosse (HON)
Daulton Keyes (YAM)
James Glauda (YAM)
Keaton Henderson (YAM)
Talan Stout (YAM)
Kenny Shick (YAM)
David Witt (YAM)

XC2 National Championship Standings:

Braxton Grosse (145)
Layne McCormick (137)
Jeremiah Wolf (125)
Daulton Keyes (114)
James Glauda (90)
Danick Paquin (75)
Keaton Henderson (74)
Talan Stout (70)
David Witt (54)
Kenny Shick (50)