Can-Am ATV and UTV Racers Earn Victories at John Penton GNCC
- Updated: May 31, 2016
Kyle Chaney and co-pilot Chris Bithell won the XC1 Pro UTV class and UTV overall in their Can-Am Maverick side-by-side vehicle at round four of the six-round GNCC UTV racing series, which runs in tandem (at select rounds) with the 13-round GNCC ATV and dirt bike national series.
Can-Am X-Team racers put in a dominating performance at the John Penton Grand National Cross Country race in Millfield, Ohio, winning both the XC1 Pro UTV and 4×4 Pro classes. Can-Am Maverick side-by-side pilots swept both the UTV overall and XC1 Pro UTV class podiums, while Can-Am Renegade 1000R racers finished 1-2 in both the 4×4 Pro class and on the morning podium.
“Can-Am X-Team racers continue to make impressive strides in their effort to secure the premier 2016 GNCC championships,” said Jeff Leclerc, Racing Project Leader, Can-Am. “Maverick side-by-side racing Pro Kyle Chaney and Renegade 4×4 Pro Kevin Cunningham showcased their abilities and the strength of their Can-Am products, by earning both session overalls and their class victories. We own the points lead in several classes, and have a legitimate shot at a few other titles as well, so we’ll continue our push at each round.”
Round seven of the GNCC ATV racing series, the 27th John Penton GNCC, also hosted round four of the six-round GNCC UTV racing schedule. The track offered a good mix of woods, mud and some motocross as well. More than 300 ATV racers took part in the 10 a.m. ATV session and another 89 racers competed in the UTV racing portion of the event.
With Kyle Chaney, Tim Farr and Cody Miller, the Can-Am X-Team has a fierce 1-2-3 punch in the XC1 Pro UTV ranks in GNCC competition. These three Can-Am Maverick side-by-side vehicle Pro racers scored a podium sweep in Ohio. Miller is the current points leader with two rounds remaining.
Defending, two-time XC1 Pro UTV champion Kyle Chaney (Can-Am / Chaney Racing / CT Race Worx) got back in the winner’s circle with an outstanding performance in his home state. Chaney, who was fourth after the first lap, made it to second by lap two. From there, he drove a smart race with his Can-Am Maverick 1000R side-by-side to notch win No. 2 on the year. Chaney is now second in the class points race.
“I didn’t have the best start and was in fourth after the first lap, but I remained patient and kept charging, knowing my Can-Am Maverick would take me to the finish line,” said Chaney. “I took the lead on lap two and never looked back. This was a nice win again great competition. I’m glad to have shared the podium with my fellow Can-Am racers.”
Tim Farr (JB Off-Road / Can-Am), who led the first two laps, finished second. The second straight runner-up finish has pushed Farr to third place in the points standings after four rounds. With his fourth consecutive XC1 Pro UTV class podium, Cody Miller (Can-Am / DWT / Houser Racing), now has a 31-point lead with two rounds remaining on the season. Can-Am pilot Steven Matko took fifth in his Offroad Motorsports-prepped Maverick.
Another Offroad Motorsports / Can-Am Maverick pilot, Dave Plavi, took the XC2 Pro Sport win to extend his class points lead. Hunter Miller (Can-Am / DWT / Houser Racing) finished in second place with his Maverick side-by-side vehicle.
Defending 4×4 Pro class champion Bryan Buckhannon joined 4×4 Pro class race winner and Can-Am Renegade ATV racer Kevin Cunningham on the John Penton GNCC podium, as the two finished 1-2 in Millfield, Ohio.
Kevin Cunningham had the hammer down at the finish line of the 2016 John Penton GNCC. The Can-Am Renegade ATV racer won the morning overall and the 4×4 Pro class to maintain his class points lead.
Kevin Cunningham (Cunningham Racing / Can-Am) notched his second 4×4 Pro class win and fifth podium finish of the season aboard his Can-Am Renegade 1000R, extending his points lead to seven. Cunningham, who led from start to finish, won by almost two minutes and also took home the 10 a.m. overall honor. The runner-up spot went to multi-time GNCC 4×4 champion Bryan Buckhannon, who earned his first podium of 2016. Can-Am Outlander ATV racer Cody Miller took fourth, just ahead of Renegade 4×4 pilot Jordan Phillips.
Can-Am racers, who also won the 4×4 A/B and 4×4 Senior classes in Ohio, have the current points lead in five classes and the runner-up spot in four others.
