Press Release –
The ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA/ATVA National Motocross Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited hits the venerable Muddy Creek Raceway this Saturday and Sunday for the Oakley Southern ATV Nationals.
The event, Round 8 of the National Pro Racing tour and Round 7 of the Amateur tour, is being held in the heart of NASCAR country in Blountville, Tenn., just seven miles southwest of Bristol. The Nation’s premier national ATV racing series features America’s best Pro riders, as well as Amateur, Pro-Am and Junior racers
The ATV Motocross Series features the top professional and amateur ATV riders in the country, competing at preeminent motocross facilities across the nation.
ATV motocross racing is run on a closed course, which comprises technical “whoops” sections, as well as big-air jumps, tight turns and all-out straightaways.
The machines are race-bred 450cc machines from top manufacturers such as Can-Am, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris, Honda, KTM, and Kawasaki. Riders easily make six-figure incomes from the large purses, and contingency bonuses posted by manufacturers, as well as other Series sponsors and suppliers.
The riders will be vying for the most coveted honor in ATV racing: The AMA National Championship and the AMA No. 1 Number Plate.
This weekend’s event is being sponsored by Oakley. A manufacturer of high-end eyewear and goggles, Oakley has its roots in motocross racing, with its start coming when Jim Lannard began selling grips out of the trunk of his car at motocross races, beginning in 1975. Oakley will have a large presence this weekend, bringing its new “Rolling O Moto Store.”
The race will be telecast on Versus Network on Oct. 6 at 3:30 p.m.
With just five events left this year, inclusive of this weekend’s race, time is running short as two-time AMA National Champion and defending Muddy Creek race winner Joe Byrd attempts to unseat Dustin Wimmer from the top slot in the championship standings.
Byrd (No. 7 American Honda/Joe Byrd Racing School Honda) is sure to get a boost from the hometown crowd this weekend.
Hailing from Union City, Tenn., Byrd hopes to bring home another victory here, and, in the process, bringing his season total to three wins and two additional podiums.
However, Wimmer (No. 191 Team MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura.Pro Taper Suzuki) has been on a mission this year to win his first title in Pro ATV competition.
With four victories and two additional podiums this season, Wimmer has only finished out of the top-three once during the 2008 season, and currently holds a 61-point lead in the title chase.
Wimmer’s teammate “Digger” Doug Gust (No. 55 Team Rockstar/MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) has shown that experience counts as the veteran rider has amassed a win and a string of top finishes, placing him third in points.
John Natalie (No. 13 Team Can-Am Racing Can-Am) has more than exceeded expectations this season, riding his all-new quad.
While still in the development stages, Natalie’s experience and competitive drive has placed the yellow-and-black machine on the podium once this season, and his consistency has slotted him fourth in the order.
Josh Creamer (No. 9 Team Monster Energy Kawasaki) has also torn up the circuit this year, riding a Kawasaki in just its second full season of competition. Creamer has two podiums to his credit and sits fifth in the standings.
Jeremy Lawson (No. 16 Team Epic Can-Am) has been on fire lately, posting back-to-back runner-up finishes coming into this race. Lawson currently sits sixth in points
Harold Goodman (No. 708 American Honda/Houser Racing Honda), Josh Upperman (No. 20 American Honda/Baldwin Motorsports Honda), Rocco Arno, Jr. (No. 101 Honda) and Chad Wienen (No. 44 Team Rockstar/MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) complete the top 10 in points.
