Delmont, PA (5/20/2009)
- Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki/Yoshimura factory
rider Dustin Wimmer, the defending AMA Pro
ATV Motocross Champion, is out of action as
he recovers from an injury to his shoulder.
With Wimmer out, Monster Kawasaki's Chad Wienen
captured his first win of the season with
1-1 scores at the previous race at Sunset
Ridge, and Honda's Joe Byrd took over the
series points lead from Wimmer. It will be
a last minute decision for Wimmer to race
this weekend as the battle for the championship
resumes at Steel City Raceway in Delmont,
PA. The event also marks round five of the
amateur portion of the National program.
The event takes place at the Steel City Raceway,
the legendary home of AMA Motocross for bikes,
as well as the ATV Open, the invitation-only
challenge race that runs in conjunction with
the bikes on Labor Day Weekend. Wienen won
the ATV Open last year, so he no doubt looks
forward to getting back on Pennsylvania soil.
The technically challenging track takes advantage
of the terrain, with the track laid out in
a valley to provide nearly 100 percent viewing
for spectators. Tickets on Sunday are $15
for fans ($10 for ages 6-11), and admission
includes full pro pit access, and an autograph
session.
Joe Byrd, the 2006 and 2007 AMA Pro Motocross
Series' Champion from Union City, Tennessee
broke Wimmer's winning streak with his victory
a few weeks ago at Ballance MX and is now
the points leader, despite having bike problems
at Sunset Ridge. Wimmer is only 11 points
behind in second and Wienen, who suffered
through a few mechanical problems at the beginning
of the season, is in third. Josh Creamer,
of the Monster Energy Kawasaki team, fell
to fourth in the points standings, despite
an improved fourth place finish at Sunset
Ridge. Pennyslvania's own 2005 Champion John
Natalie had a bad run at Sunset Ridge to come
in ninth, falling to seventh in the points,
but has shown the speed all season to win
races. In addition, nationally-recognized
stars including veteran Doug Gust, Jeremy
Lawson, Josh Upperman, Pat Brown and a crop
of hard charging rookies will make up a full
gate of talent in the AMA Pro ATV Class.
The pro class will feature two 20-minute
races on Sunday, taking place at noon and
3 p.m., with the combined scores of both races
determining the overall winner.
The pro riders will run as part of a full
schedule of amateur racing, including classes
for Youth, Women and veteran riders. Amateurs
will practice on Friday and race on Saturday
and Sunday. Pros will practice on Saturday
and race on Sunday.
To get to the track from Pittsburgh take
State Rt 22 east to State Rt 66 north for
3 miles. Turn right onto Story Road. Follow
signs .5 miles to the track.
About the ITP
Tires/Moose Racing AMA ATV National Motocross
Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited
The ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA ATV National
Motocross Championship Presented by Parts
Unlimited is the nation's premier amateur
and professional ATV motocross series, and
competes at top motocross facilities nationwide.
The 11-round series features the Nation's
best racers, teams and sponsors, and is America's
largest and longest-running ATV National Motocross
series with more than 20 years of competition.
The series continues to expand and produce
top talent from the amateur ranks, while keeping
close to the grassroots fun that makes people
love to go to the races. For more information,
please visit www.atvmotocross.com.
About the ATV
Association (ATVA)
The ATV Association ("ATVA") is
the official sanctioning body of the amateur
division of the ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA
ATV National Motocross Championship Presented
by Parts Unlimited. The 9,000-member ATVA
is a sister organization of the 260,000 member
American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). ATV
racing has experienced phenomenal growth in
recent years, and continues to gain momentum
and support, outselling off-road motorcycles
annually. For more information, please visit
www.atvaonline.com.
About the ATV
Promoters Group (ATVPG)
The ATVPG is composed of the individual promoters
that host the ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA ATV
National Motocross Championship Presented
by Parts Unlimited. The goal of the ATVPG
is to raise awareness of ATV motocross through
the production of professional and amateur
championship racing events. For more information
on the ATVPG and the ATV National events they
produce, please visit www.atvmotocross.com.
