GNSS Roars Into 2025: Thrilling Twin 50s at Newport Speedway

The 2025 Grand National Super Series Presented by ECC launched into action with a thunderous return to the newly renovated Newport Speedway, kicking off the season with back-to-back 50-lap showdowns that lived up to every bit of the hype. With offseason shakeups, rising rookies, and the long-awaited comeback of key contenders, the Twin 50s marked a dramatic start to the year.

Race 1: Henriksen Breaks Through

Returning to the driver’s seat after an injury layoff, AJ Henriksen put his stamp on the weekend early by earning the ChaLew Performance Pole Award in the #46. Due to the invert, however, it was series newcomer and former ARCA racer Jamie Mosely who led the field to green. Despite the early advantage, Mosely's night hit a snag midway through with a spin in the #11, but the rookie rebounded to finish an impressive fourth after charging back through the field.

Up front, it was a classic showdown between two GNSS powerhouses, Henriksen and defending champion Jeremy Mayfield. Henriksen, hungry to end a nearly year long winless streak, outdueled Mayfield in a gritty battle for the win. The victory not only marked an emotional return for the veteran but also served as a major confidence boost heading into the season.

Mayfield’s D2 Motorsports teammate, Kody Brusso, showcased her prowess in the #23 with a strong third place finish, living up to her reputation as a short track ace from the FloriBama region. Bob Schacht rounded out the top five as fans geared up for race two.

Race 1 Results:

1. #46 – AJ Henriksen

2. #19 – Jeremy Mayfield

3. #23 – Kody Brusso

4. #11 – Jamie Mosely

5. #75 – Bob Schacht

Race 2: Mayfield Strikes Back

The second feature saw Chris Burns start on the pole in his #18 ECC-backed machine, but once again, the early lead didn’t last long. Mosely jumped to the front and looked poised for redemption until the usual suspects, Mayfield and Henriksen, reclaimed control.

The race’s only caution came after a spin from popular YouTuber Mitchell Stapleton (#427), who is still getting his feet wet in GNSS competition but earned cheers for his persistence and fan engagement.

As the laps wound down, so did the space between the top two. Henriksen and Mayfield traded the lead in a breathtaking final-lap duel that will surely go down in GNSS lore. Using lap traffic to his advantage, Mayfield muscled ahead to claim his 12th career win in the series. Henriksen, despite narrowly missing the weekend sweep, was awarded both Howe Racing Enterprises Hard Charger Awards for his pair of hard fought podiums.

Brusso once again impressed with another third-place finish, while Mosely and Burns completed the top five.

Race 2 Results:

1. #19 – Jeremy Mayfield

2. #46 – AJ Henriksen

3. #23 – Kody Brusso

4. #11 – Jamie Mosely

5. #18 – Chris Burns

Looking Ahead

With Newport in the rearview, the tour now turns to Dominion Raceway on May 31st to make up for a rainout earlier this year. The return of JJ Pack, who missed Newport due to engine issues, adds even more firepower to an already stacked field. Whether in the stands or online, you won’t want to miss the next chapter of the 2025 GNSS season, streaming FREE on the Grand National Super Series Facebook and YouTube pages.