Racing

A Look Back At The John Penton GNCC

Thad Duvall grabs his second win of the season

June 1, 2018

Thad Duvall took advantage of a good start and a muddy course to run away with his second win of the 2018 season. The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider passed teammate Josh Strang on the opening lap of the three-hour race before pulling away to 30-second cushion by the end of the opening lap. At the end of the race, Duvall had established a three-minute gap on the competition. With the win, the West Virginia rider pulled to within 15 points of Kailub Russell in the overall standings.

Josh Strang grabbed the $250 All Balls Racing Holeshot Award to start the race. Strang held off a last-minute pass attempt by Kailub Russell to secure second overall.Ken Hill

Nick Davis took the $100 Hot Cams Holeshot Award in the XC2 250 Pro division. The FAR Racing GasGas North America rider finished fifth in the class, while FMF KTM teammates Josh Toth and Ben Kelley finished first and second respectively in the division.Ken Hill

Coastal Racing/Husqvarna’s Alex Teagarden was quickest off the line in the FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class, and led the pack into the opening lap of the race. At the finish, Teagarden topped Raines Riding University/Atlas Sales/Yamaha’s Jason Raines and MCS Racing/Kenda Tire/Moose Racing’s Cody Barnes for the class win.Ken Hill

Thad Duvall passed Rockstar Energy Husqvarna teammate Strang on the opening lap of the race and then pulled away for a comfortable win.Ken Hill

MF KTM’s Russell’s bike failed to fire at the start, putting him at the back of the pack heading into the first lap of the race. On the second lap he was forced to pit early for a new set of gloves after plunging into a water section.Ken Hill

Russell closed in on Strang on the final lap of the race but could not get close enough to attempt a pass for second place.Ken Hill

Duvall crossed the finish line with two minutes 30 seconds to spare over Strang to take the win.Ken Hill

Most agreed the 2018 John Penton GNCC was the most demanding race the series has seen in a long time. Kelley recovers after crossing the finish line.Ken Hill

A highlight show featuring the John Penton GNCC will be aired on the NBC Sports Network on Sunday, June 23, at 6 p.m.Ken Hill

To the victor go the spoils. Strang, Duvall, and Russell grace the XC1 podium.Ken Hill