New Venue, New Winner, New Points Leader
G
rant Baylor is back! The
younger of the two Baylor
brothers didn't even have a ride
coming into the 2026 season,
making his victory at the GNCC
at Watkins Glen International
track in New York on June 7 even
more special. Competing for
his brother Steward's Red Bear
Rocky Mountain Kawasaki team,
Grant surged through the field
from a midpack start, executing
a determined, calculated charge
to secure his first win of the year.
Coming into the race, Grant's best
finish of the year had been sixth.
Calling round eight of the 2026
Grand National Cross Country
Series "eventful" would barely
scratch the surface. Making its
debut on the GNCC calendar, the
venue delivered a perfect storm
of unpredictability, producing a
first-time winner and reshuffling
the championship, with a new
overall points leader. In every
sense, Watkins Glen delivered a
breakthrough moment, not only
for Grant but for the champion-
ship. Grant was understandably
emotional after the race.
"I don't even know how to
feel," said Grant. "I came into the
season with no help. So this one's
for everyone who didn't believe
in me. And yeah, I've still got it.
Today is the proof."
Phoenix Honda Racing's
Jordan Ashburn, who entered the
race holding the series point lead,
was first off the line, but it was
his teammate Mike Witkowski
who led the pack into the woods
to start the opening lap. Rockstar
Energy Husqvarna's Craig DeLong
followed in third behind Ashburn,
with FMF KTM Factory Racing
teammates Ben Kelley and Grant
Davis in fourth and fifth. Mean-
while, Steward Baylor Jr was left
on the starting line when his bike
didn't fire up right away.
Lap two brought immediate
drama as the front of the pack
fell into disarray. Witkowski and
Ashburn both dropped off the
pace, Witkowski due to a crash
WIND
IN THE
P28
Grant Baylor ended his winless
dry spell with the overall victory
at the Watkins Glen GNCC in
New York.
PHOTOS: MACK FAINT
