Grand National Cross Country Series
St. Clairsville, OH
GNCC - Powerline Park
Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki Conquers the Mud at Powerline Park
The 2025 Progressive Grand National Cross Country Series has been a wet season of racing so far, and this past weekend at Powerline Park was no different. Four days of rain leading up to Sunday made the track a muddy mess, but that couldn’t stop the riders on Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki Team Green™.
Steward Baylor grabbed the holeshot and led the group into the woods on his KX™450X. After a strong battle down to the finish, Baylor took the win—his second of the year.
Grant Baylor had a more difficult race. The slick conditions challenged his recently repaired knee, but he pushed through to finish seventh in the XC1 Class.
Josh Toth started the day strong, leading the overall on adjusted time on Lap 1. However, a goggle issue and a fuel stop malfunction slowed his pace, and he finished fifth in the XC2 Class.
Round 1 winner Nick DeFeo faced similar adversity. After a strong start, he encountered a goggle issue and a few crashes, but still fought back to claim sixth in the XC2 Class.
In the WXC Class, Rachael Archer dominated, pulling the holeshot and leading the entire race. She finished with nearly a four-minute lead and reclaimed the championship points lead.
The GNCC season continues in two weeks in Indiana.
GNCC Results
Kawasaki Team Green™ Podiums
1st
- Steward Baylor Jr. (XC1)
- Logan Renninger (Open B)
- Gregory Funk (Vet A)
- Joe Marsh (Senior A)
- Rachael Archer (WMX)
- Sam Kline (4-Stroke C Lites)
- Jimmy Murphy (250 C Junior)
- Matt Kirsch (Super Vet C)
- Gary Fridley (Super Senior A)
- Ranger Burgess (Sportsman B)
- Austin Guiher (Trail Rider)
- Nash Sheedy (Trail Rider 7-15)
2nd
- James Bower (Senior A)
- Mark Cole (Open B)
- Calli Propst (Women)
- Michael Miller (250 C College)
- Dylan Douglass (250 C Junior)
- Ryan Wuebbeling (Super Senior A)
- Jeremy Primmer (Masters B)
- Nick Bryant (Sportman A)
- Nathaniel Hayhurst (Sportman B)
- Damien Harold (Trail Rider)
- Deegan Caplinger (YXC2 Super Mini Jr.)
3rd
- Keihin Ruff (Open A)
- Will Sievenpiper (250 A)
- Michael Jurasko (Vet A)
- Kyleigh Fridley (Women)
- Graham Harmon (4-Stroke C Lites)
- Ryan Wuebbeling (Super Senior A)
- Brian Koontz (Masters B)
- Colton Propst (85 12-13)
- Paisley Bland (Girls Super Mini 12-16)
Rachael Archer
“It was a super fun day. The track was gnarly in some spots but actually pretty good in others. It feels great to get the points lead back going into this two-week break. I’m already looking forward to the next round.”
Steward Baylor Jr
“I was surprised but stoked on the holeshot! I’ve only ever pulled two XC1 holeshots in my 12 years in the class. Getting out front early made a huge difference as I was able to keep my goggles and radiators clean. I made a few mistakes, but was able to pull it off at the end. It feels great to win again. I know I have a big gap to make up in the points race, but if I keep winning races, there’s still a shot at the championship. So that’s my plan.”
Nick DeFeo
“It was tough out there. I rode a little too hard at times and crashed a few times. I’ll be back in front soon. Just have to limit the mistakes.”
Josh Toth
“It’s a bummer because I felt good out there. Stuff happens though. I’ll be ready to win at the next round.”
Grant Baylor
“The track was tough. I usually like these conditions and felt pretty good, but just a tough day. My knee is feeling better now, though. I’ll be ready to put it on the podium soon.”
