By Chad Ford

Loretta Lynn’s is the longest running GNCC event and the youth riders were made a part of the event for 2007. The Racer Productions crew laid out a challenging track on the historic hills of the Dude Ranch. Perfect weather conditions added to what was sure to be a great day of racing for the 136 youth entries. Most youth riders know Loretta’s for the Amateur National MX races held there and lining up on the same starting area as those riders had to be an extra bit of a thrill for the GNCC youth. A new chapter in the Loretta Lynn’s GNCC history was written as follows:

The top 4 overall youth riders were from the Big Wheel 14-15 class with Walker Fowler putting in what appeared to be a perfect ride out front. Second went to Morgan Moss from Hayesville, NC with Cody Mummert from Glenville, PA in third. The fourth place finish in this class went to Clinton, Ohio rider Greg Funk and Cameron, WV rider Scott Marling rounded out the top five.

Steward Baylor, who hails from Belton, SC, finished fifth overall with his win in the Big Wheel 12-13 class. Zach Nolan from Arthurdale, WV was second, Lake Lynn, PA rider AJ Stewart put in another consistent ride for third. Richard Brewer from Iuka, MS was fourth with Justin Sode of Zanesville, OH fifth.

Boonville, NC rider McKinnon Welborn continued his domination of the 85 14-15 class with the win and a 13 th overall finish. Second place rider Jesse Vermillion from Greencastle, IN put on a late race charge but came up 25 seconds short at the end. Third place went to Greenville, SC rider Wil Coleman, Wylie Ford from West Union, WV was fourth and Wesley Hill from S. Bloomingville, OH was fifth.

Layne Michael from Fairmont, WV took the win in the 85 12-13 class with a 10 th overall finish while Chris Meadows from Athens, OH was 11 th overall and only 18 seconds back in second. Third went to Charlotte, NC rider Trevor Barrett, Tyler Braniff from Terra Alta, WV was fourth and Dakota Hacker from Hamilton, OH was fifth.

Aaron Plessinger from Hamilton, OH won the 85 7-11 class in a convincing manner by almost four minutes over second place Tegan Temple, who is from West Chester, PA. Third place finisher Dillion Easton is from Goodwind, NC, Samuel Evans who resides in St. Albans, WV was fourth and his Hard Core Racing teammate Jarrett Dudley from Whitmer, WV was fifth.

GNCC/ AMA National MX announcer Tim Cotter had some fun with the 65cc riders during the podium celebration. The 65 10-11 class was won by Lynnville, IN rider Jake Froman who put on a last lap charge that took him to the front. Austin Lee from Bedford, IN was second with Wyatt Ford from West Union, WV rounding out the podium in third. Fourth went to Londonberry, OH rider Ryan Slopko with fellow Ohio rider Tristian Stumbo from Laurelville in fifth.

Grant Baylor continued his winning ways with a very strong ride in the 65 7-9 class with a 36 th overall ride that bested all of the 65 10-11 riders. Second place went home with Landrum, SC rider Jonathan Johnson who was over seven minutes back of Baylor. Third place rider Cole Kirchoff hails from Decker, IN. Mack Jones from Boomer, NC was fourth and Reedsville, WV rider Anthony Stone was fifth.

Now, let’s take a look at how some of the recent GNCC Youth graduates are doing on the big bikes to see what the future may hold for the bright shining youth stars coming up through the ranks. The 2006 top GNCC youth rider Cory Buttrick finished 1 st in the 250A class and 19 th overall at Loretta’s—his first 250 A win this year. Another past Youth Overall Champ (2005), Kailub Russell, earned another 1 st in 200A and was 15 th overall. He’s won every race in his class this year. Former Youth Overall Champ Thad Duvall (2003-2004) rode to an incredible 8 th overall and second in the XC2 Pro Lites class and was beaten only by multi-time GNCC champ Rodney Smith. Thad may not realize the benefit of battling with The Legend, but the lessons learned are sure to make him even faster. Some other former contenders include Jordan Ashburn, who finished second at Loretta’s in 250B but had four wins in the previous events this year. A top youth rider from last season as well, Ryan Belue, moved up to the 200C Schoolboy class this year and is having a perfect season with an 8 th overall finish out of 407 morning race entries. These results are proof positive that the GNCC Youth program is bringing up some talented riders to make certain the future of GNCC racing will be in good hands.

Loretta Lynn’s is a must attend event on the GNCC schedule. The facilities are first rate from the camping and pit area to the scenic beauty of the area. An opportunity to ride on a track with so much history makes for some great bench racing lore for years to come. The chance to walk the track with my sons and reflect on my laps at Loretta’s with them while watching as they made their own memories is worth whatever it took to get there and then some. A true classic!