AMA ATV Motocross Nationals Round #3 - Ballance Moto X Bowling Green, Kentucky April 4-5, 2009

AMA ATV Motocross Nationals Round #3 - Ballance Moto X Race Results Photo Galleries

#7 Joe Byrd Claims season 1st Win & moves within one point of #1 Dustin Wimmer in the points chase

The veteran Joe Byrd Quad Riding School Honda-backed rider from Tennessee topped Monster Energy Kawasaki's rejuvenated Chad Wienen and Defending AMA ATV MX Champion Dustin Wimmer on the podium.

Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Wimmer won the first two rounds of the season, but admitted the tight, technical Ballance MX track wasn't to his liking. Byrd's 1-1 day brings him within one point of Wimmer in the series standings.

"With Wienen and Wimmer right there it's a great match and really a matter of who gets the best lines," said Byrd. "These guys are always a challenge and you can never let up."

With the threat of heavy rain, many racers & spectators had their eyes on the sky especially heading into the 2nd Moto with the winds picking up & dark clouds moving in, but luckily the rain held off to well after the race, but once it arrived around 5PM it packed a punch with heavy rain & hail

The weather forecast predicted rain throughout the weekend, but dark skies never opened, leaving perfect track conditions and 70-degree temperatures. Byrd was ready for whatever he had to face.

"With the weather we had two setups ready to go depending on what happened, and we got lucky with our setup," said Byrd. "We put together a new engine for the weekend that was a big difference in getting out front early."

Dasa Racing's #7 Joe Byrd grabbed his 1st Holeshot of the season and held the lead from start to finish to claim the Moto One Win

Byrd grabbed the Holeshot Award in the first moto, followed by Wienen and Wimmer. Byrd stretched his lead throughout the race, and the top three maintained their order to the finish.

Warnert Racing Can-Am's Jeremy Lawson powered his DS450 to the second moto Holeshot Award, but Byrd quickly made a move around him to take the lead and the win. Wimmer started third, but Wienen went on a mission, passing both Wimmer and Lawson to take the second spot again.

Motoworks #16 Jeremy Lawson grabbed a career 1st Holeshot on his Can-Am Ds450 as he edged out Pro rookies #79 Clay Holmes & #123 Nick DeNoble

Wienen failed to finish several motos early in the season due to mechanical issues, but this time his KFX450 carried him to solid 2-2 moto scores.

"It was a rough track, and it really suited my style," said Wienen. "You had to be smart in some of the tougher sections and not jump in too fast. I'm happy to put the Monster Kawasaki on the podium."