The 2026 GNCC season came to an unforgettable conclusion for Phoenix Racing Honda as the team celebrated a double championship victory at the Buckwheat 100 GNCC in Newburg, West Virginia. With both the XC1 Open Pro and XC2 250 Pro National Championships still on the line heading into the final round, the stakes were high as Jordan Ashburn and Gus Riordan looked to finish their championship campaigns on top.

After thirteen rounds of demanding terrain, close competition, and hard-fought battles, both riders rose to the occasion, with Ashburn securing his second career national title and Riordan capturing his first. Adding to the team's efforts, Mike Witkowski rounded out the weekend with a top-five finish in XC1, bringing his campaign to a close. With two national championships secured, Phoenix Racing not only brought Honda their first premier class title in almost 30 years, but also the brand’s first-ever “double” with both pro class championships in the same year.

Ashburn's Fight Through Pain Pays Off

Jordan Ashburn entered the final round of the 2026 GNCC season with the XC1 Open Pro National Championship within reach, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to a hard-fought year. 

With the championship battle coming down to the final race, every position and point carried added importance as Ashburn looked to secure his second career XC1 title. After a season filled with race victories, podium finishes, and his share of challenges, Ashburn had one final opportunity to bring the championship home for Phoenix Racing Honda. He ultimately crossed the finish line in sixth place, a result that proved just enough to secure both the XC1 Open Pro National Championship and the 2026 Overall National Championship by the narrowest of margins. The achievement also marked a historic moment for Honda, securing the manufacturer's first GNCC XC1 National Championship since Scott Summers claimed the title in 1997.

Ashburn's championship campaign was built on a combination of race-winning speed and consistency throughout the thirteen-round series. He collected two overall victories during the season, including back-to-back wins at The Dukes and The Old Gray GNCC, along with valuable podium finishes that. helped strengthen his position in the. championship standings.

As the season progressed, the competition remained close, with Ashburn continuing to battle for every point while maintaining his place at the top of the standings. A late-season shoulder injury hampered his conditioning and pace, placing the final round under heavy pressure, knowing that it would leave his abilities handicapped. However, his efforts throughout the year ultimately paid off as he closed out the season with 217 championship points, edging out his closest competitor by just a single point. The achievement marked Ashburn's second career GNCC National Championship, four years after claiming his first title in 2022, and brought a memorable championship-winning season to a close for both Ashburn and the Phoenix Racing Honda team.

Riordan Caps Off Campaign With Glory

Gus Riordan brought the 2026 GNCC season to a close in impressive fashion, capturing both the XC2 250 Pro race victory and his first career GNCC Pro National Championship. Entering the season finale with the championship battle still undecided, Riordan faced one final challenge as he looked to secure the title after a competitive year of racing. With the championship on the line, he delivered when it mattered most, taking the win and putting the finishing touches on a successful season with Phoenix Racing Honda. The victory marked his sixth of the year and secured the XC2 250 Pro National Championship, a major milestone in his professional racing career. 

Riordan's success also carried special significance for Honda, as he became the first rider to bring the manufacturer an XC2 National Championship since Trevor Bollinger accomplished the feat in 2016. Riordan's championship campaign was highlighted by an impressive stretch of victories and consistent performances that kept him in contention throughout the season. As the year progressed, he established himself as one of the strongest competitors in the XC2 class, putting together a four-race winning streak during the second half of the championship and building valuable momentum heading into the final rounds.

Despite facing challenges along the way, Riordan continued to battle for every point, with the championship fight remaining close as the season approached its conclusion. His determination ultimately paid off at the finale, where his sixth victory of the season brought his championship points total to 281, securing the title by a twelve-point margin over second place. The achievement marked Riordan's first GNCC National Championship and capped off a memorable season for both him and the team.

Witkowski Rounds Out His Season

Mike Witkowski closed out the season with a fourth-place finish in the XC1 Open Pro class, putting together a consistent performance in the final race of the year. After settling into fourth place early on, Witkowski maintained his position throughout the entirety of the race, holding steady from the opening lap to the checkered flag. With one final opportunity to finish the season on a positive note, he remained focused on delivering a strong result and ultimately secured another top five finish to add to his season record.

Throughout the season, Witkowski faced his share of challenges while continuing to work toward stronger results. Despite the ups and downs, he collected seven top-five finishes over the course of the year, highlighting his ability to deliver competitive performances. His fourth-place result at the finale brought his season to a close, with Witkowski finishing seventh in the XC1 Open Pro championship standings.

Owner's Insight

“It’s still sinking in, both titles...still sinking in. Even though, on paper, we had a solid chance at both titles coming into Buckwheat, I’ve been in this position many times. Many times in Arenacross and ATVMX, where you feel like you have one hand on the number one plate, and it gets pulled away. Well, thanks to the efforts of this team and our two champions, Gus and Jordan, we now have both hands firmly around the XC1 and XC2 titles, taking those plates back home to our shop in Salisbury (North Carolina). It’s been an eight-year journey to get to this point, eight years since Honda and Brandon (Wilson) trusted us with this program. We chipped away, going from just putting together a solid presence, to a few podiums, to consistent podiums, a few race wins, and now this. This didn’t happen overnight, but it sure included a lot of sleepless nights. Just one of these championships would’ve made all the trials of 2026 worth it, but to take home both for the first time in a single year with Honda. What can I say, it’s really fun to make history.” 

                                                                                                                                                             - David Eller, Team Owner, Phoenix Racing Honda