Upperman Looks for First Win of the Season at Sunday Creek ATVMX
by: Jen Kenyon
Wednesday, June 27, 2012 | 11:30 PM
Contact: Jen Kenyon
ATV Motocross
304.284.0084
For Immediate Release
Upperman Looks for First Win of the Season at Sunday Creek ATVMX
Morgantown, W.Va. (June 27, 2012) ”â Ohio’s Josh Upperman came away from the 2011 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series with the National number two plate, but the Baldwin Motorsports/PEP/Maxxis rider has yet to secure a win this season. With a stacked field of competition, Upperman heads to his home state for Round 7 of the series at Sunday Creek Raceway, where he looks to take home his first victory of the 2012 season. Points leader Chad Wienen will be a tough competitor, and defending champ John Natalie comes into the weekend on a roll with a two-race win-streak.
Motoworks/Can-Am’s Natalie has bested Wienen the past two rounds as he continues to close the gap in the series standings. The competition level has been intense between the two former teammates and almost every race this season has boiled down to the final stretch before the checkers.
“We’re carrying a lot of good momentum from the past two rounds as we head to Sunday Creek this weekend,” Natalie said. “I feel comfortable on the machine and we’re anxious to get out there and grab another win for the Motoworks/Can-Am team.”
Although Natalie has won two consecutive overalls, it’s still Wienen Motorsports/SSi Decals/Walsh Race Craft/Yamaha’s Wienen who holds the red number plate, marking the series points lead. Wienen has won three races total, while Natalie has two, and Motoworks/Can-Am’s Joel Hetrick has one win this season. Hetrick lacks numbers in age compared to his veteran competition, but that doesn’t stop the young gun from showing his tenacity on the racetrack.
Hetrick tops Upperman in the standings by only five points going into Upperman’s home track in Ohio. Upperman took the overall win at Sunday Creek in 2011, putting him in high favor to do it again this weekend.
TBrown Yamaha/Moto-Xperts’ Thomas Brown sits less than 10 points behind Upperman in the series points. Brown secured his first podium finish of the year in Round 6 and came close to taking his first moto-win of the season in the process.
The pro riders will run Saturday 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. Tickets on Saturday are $20 for spectators ($10 for ages 6-11), and admission includes full pro-pit access and an autograph session.
To get to the track from Athens, take Rt. 33 W. 1 mile to 13N (Chauncey Exit). Go 3 miles into Chauncey. Turn rightӉ staying on Route 13 North. Continue for 10 miles to Jacksonville. Go right on Sixth St. for 2 miles, then turn left. For more information, please visit www.atvmotocross.com.
About the AMA ATV Motocross Championship
The AMA ATV Motocross Championship is the nation's premier amateur and professional ATV motocross series, hosted at top motocross facilities nationwide. The 10-round series features the Nation's best racers, teams and sponsors, and is America's largest and longest-running ATV national motocross program. Since 1985, the series continues to expand and produce top talent from the amateur ranks, while premiering the professional class. For more information, please visit http://www.atvmotocross.com.