Murray City, Ohio’s Joseph Cunningham is one of the Amsoil Grand National Cross Country Series’ standout youth racers. Having won every youth division overall so far in 2019 (as of the Tomahawk GNCC), and with the goal of winning the YXC1 Championship, Cunningham may be asserting himself as this year’s Youth Rider of the Year when the season concludes in late October.
Joseph Cunningham: I raced my first ever GNCC when I was just about six or seven years old at my local track, the John Penton. I thought it was the coolest thing ever when I got on the podium for the first time, and knew that is what I wanted to do when I grew up.
Do you do any other types of racing or just off-road?
No, I only race off-road.
You’ve won every youth overall to begin the season. What do you attribute your success to?
Through hard work and dedication. My main goal is to be able to race at the professional level and to make a career out of it.
How do you keep yourself fresh in between rounds since there’s often time off in between?
I ride a lot with a group of my friends throughout the week and race local hare scrambles/GP tracks on off-weekends.
How do you relax after a long weekend at the track?
I usually spend my Mondays cleaning my gear up from the previous race, or I load up the bikes and go play around on hills, motocross tracks, etc.
Any pre-race superstitions?
I’m not really a superstitious person. I do make sure that I get a good night’s rest before every race, and I lay all my gear out the night before so I can be prepared when I get up in the morning.
Where do you see yourself headed in the future?
I’d really like to keep myself and my bikes healthy throughout my career to go as far as I possibly can, and maybe get up to the professional class one day.
Goals to finish out the 2019 season?
I personally would like to win the overall championship in the YXC1 class and take home the most consecutive GNCC overalls. 
Joseph Cunningham: I raced my first ever GNCC when I was just about six or seven years old at my local track, the John Penton. I thought it was the coolest thing ever when I got on the podium for the first time, and knew that is what I wanted to do when I grew up.
Do you do any other types of racing or just off-road?
No, I only race off-road.
You’ve won every youth overall to begin the season. What do you attribute your success to?
Through hard work and dedication. My main goal is to be able to race at the professional level and to make a career out of it.
How do you keep yourself fresh in between rounds since there’s often time off in between?
I ride a lot with a group of my friends throughout the week and race local hare scrambles/GP tracks on off-weekends.
I usually spend my Mondays cleaning my gear up from the previous race, or I load up the bikes and go play around on hills, motocross tracks, etc.
Any pre-race superstitions?
I’m not really a superstitious person. I do make sure that I get a good night’s rest before every race, and I lay all my gear out the night before so I can be prepared when I get up in the morning.
Where do you see yourself headed in the future?
I’d really like to keep myself and my bikes healthy throughout my career to go as far as I possibly can, and maybe get up to the professional class one day.
Goals to finish out the 2019 season?
I personally would like to win the overall championship in the YXC1 class and take home the most consecutive GNCC overalls.