The 2013 Mtn. Dew AMA ATV Motocross Championships kick off this weekend at Aonia Pass Motocross in Washington, Georgia and the ATV Racin' Nation is rolling out in full force. The two big questions this weekend are: Who is bringing what to the table this year? And, will the forecasted rain showers set a different tone to the new season than what folks are expecting?

What exactly is the expected outcome of this weekend's racing? I know there are many that have their ideas and opinions but we will not truly know till the checkers fly on Saturday. If it starts out anything like last year, this is surely a race you do not want to miss.

Last season Chad Wienen set the tone that he was on a mission to win the championship after having it elude him due to injury in 2011. Chad muscled his way to the front in 2012 and left a few people in his dust. Some of the major highlights were when he parked the young ace Joel Hetrick, whom had ended up with his ride from the season, before and the amazing pass that Chad made on John Natalie in the last lap heading toward the finish.

Will this season start off like that? I am not sure, but the one thing I do know is that there have been a lot of changes in the off-season and many will have plenty to prove. Joel Hetrick is back on the Honda, John Natalie is back on a Honda and those are not the only changes.

How about throwing into the mix the fact that Walsh Race Craft picked up Nick Denoble, who had actually hung up his boots after last season. I spoke with Nick and there is a different approach to this season because mostly he never planned on racing till about three weeks ago. Nick has spent the time since training with his old pal and former AMA Pro ATV MX Champ Josh Creamer.

That's right JC9 makes his return to national competition and will try and reclaim the number 1 plate he never got to defend. Josh has spent the last couple of seasons rebuilding his program after his sponsor pulled the plug on his operation after the 2010 season. Josh will be riding for BCS Motorsports on a Can-Am that he has been dialing in for the last two seasons in the NEATV. Josh says he is ready to come back and stake his claim to the title in 2013.

With that we cannot forget many of the other key players including, Josh Upperman whom is rumored to be even more determined this season. We saw Josh go from a "I want a podium" guy to "I am here to win" guy. Josh is not alone though; Thomas Brown is on the same page and looking to improve on his strong results from last season. Thomas and Josh are both capable of wins but the question is, can they put those wins together to bid for the championship and that question will soon begin to be answered.

Some to watch for will include #31 Adam Clark who has been quietly working his way up the ranks and then of course there is Jeffrey Rastrelli. Cheerwine/JB/Can-Am rider Rastrelli has been looking to stretch his legs in 2013. He has been back watching and learning and this season will be the test of whether or not what he has learned will pay off.

There are a number of things to talk about but there will be even more come Monday. Some questions will be answered while many more will be posed. The great thing is that we should be in store for one of the best seasons of racing than we have seen is some time.