The racing has been intense and we're just getting this season started! Round 4 of the ATV Motocross National Championship (ATVMX) Series takes place next weekend, May 5 and 6 in Crawfordsville, Indiana. 

Pre-Registration is available for the event, just click HERE. Make sure you choose the Ironman event. But just so you know, High Point, Unadilla and Loretta Lynn's are open as well! 

Ironman ATVMX National will off a Vintage 2-Stroke (1998 & older 2-strokes) for $25, with a one moto format ran on Sunday, May 6.

You can catch up with what has been happening this season by watching the ATVision highlight videos posted online HERE. Relive the action from the first three rounds and prepare yourself for Ironman Raceway. 

The top three contenders in the AMA Pro class have been Chad Wienen, Joel Hetrick and Jeffrey Rastrelli. However, it is only a matter of time before Thomas Brown or Nick Gennusa put their ATVs up on the overall box and mix it up with those front runners. We shouldn't limit it to just those two though, all of those guys in the AMA Pro class are gunning to battle at the front of the pack. They are certainly capable of it, and it's motocross so anything can happen. 

Others to keep an eye on are Bryce Ford and Lance Walker, they are currently first and second in the Youth All Star (13-15), 250 Mod (13-17) and Schoolboy Sr. (14-17) classes. They are competing in three elite youth classes, and are both managing to battle at the top at each event, every moto. 

There is seriously a class for everyone to watch, wether you want to watch the youth, amateur, pro am, pro, or veteran classes. The battles are intense throughout the ranks, and will sure to keep you on the edge of your seat or on you tip-toes if you're watching at the fence. 

This season is just about to hit it's halfway point, and it seems like the racing is at an all-time high right now. The best battles we've seen in some years, and just think we have six more rounds to watch these racers! 

First CST Contingency Plan Awards Cash Prizes in ATVMX Series

CST is going full-throttle with its first-ever contingency program, offering generous cash prizes for winners and podium finishers in AMSOIL GNCC Racing, WORCS, the ATV MX National Championships, and the AMA District 37 Big6 Grand Prix Series.

Prizes ranging from $400 to $50 will be awarded for upcoming races, with amounts varying according to series, class, and first, second or third-place finish. The contingency place begins April 21-22 for AMSOIL GNCC; April 27-29 for WORCS; April 14-15 for ATV MX; and May 5-6 for Big 6. Races prior to the specified dates are not covered by the program, and no prizes will be awarded retroactively.

Don’t wait! Visit https://www.csttires.com/us/contingency/ to find entry forms and to learn more!

Keeping up with Ken Hill

Well Texas is behind us and I do believe we left our mark on the Lone Star state! I doubt anyone could have predicted that Joel Hetrick would have suffered getting high sided in the same spot and have the same 1-5 results as he did last year in an epic repeat this year. Moto one, Hetrick owned the track making it his and his alone. The moto was won in a very dominating fashion and it appears we are once again looking at a repeat of the 2017 season where Hetrick and Chad Wienen slash it out every moto. The second moto started off virtually the same as the first and for a lap or two it looked as if Hetrick was going to put this round in the win column right up until he sank his Honda in that soft berm allowing Wienen to ride on by and literally finish the moto unchallenged. I watched as he set sail over a jump and look around as if to ask where Hetrick was however what mattered was he was in the lead and heading to victory giving him another win and a few valuable points that could come in to play late in the season as we start looking hard at the championship. 

Hetrick was doing all he could to dig his quad out and then get it re-fired which had to have been destroying him physically and mentally. Once he got going again he did put in an incredible charge, which kept him on the podium and salvaged what could have been a devastating moto as far as points go. The sign of a true champion, never quit and never give up and he displayed those characteristics in front of the fans and racers who where watching closely. So a big tip of the hat to Joel for staying in the fight until it was over. 

Behind Wienen and Hetrick in both moto’s was some intense racing between Jeffrey Rastrelli and Thomas Brown as well as Nick Gennusa and Westley Wolfe. In moto two, Rastrelli and Brown were going at it over every jump and through every corner both virtually equally matched it seemed. It was indeed some of the best racing of the weekend however Brown would suffer a broken chain allowing Rastrelli to power on by to claim his spot on the podium.  

Two riders who were both doing their best to race with injuries were also having a Texas sized battle of their own. Wolfe and Gennusa had to dig deep to keep the pace up as the moto wore on and when the roost settled, Wolfe would earn his best finish yet in the Pro class and his finishes show he is ready to start charging to the front and try to get on the box. Gennusa would go 7-3 on the weekend and I have to wonder how he may have done if he hadn't injured himself just prior to this race. With a bit of a break between Texas and the upcoming Ironman ATVMX, some healing can take place and should set the stage for a real tough race with everyone on the gate healthy and looking for good moto’s. 

The overall event seemed to be well received even though the weather showed us literally all four seasons in 3 days. When the rains hit Friday and forced practice to be canceled, I left with a “oh snap” feeling as water was everywhere. The rain fell during practice so the track was wide open and not packed in so I assumed the worse as far as conditions went as we headed into racing on Saturday. Upon arriving at the Underground facility early Saturday, what I saw was just an amazing sight. Those tasked with handling the track were and had been busy doing what needed to be done to give our riders a track they could ride and they sure did a great job. The place looked great and the only damage I saw was to some banners that took a real beating in the high winds that ushered in those chilly temperatures.  

The amateur racing was as good as it gets throughout the weekend. It is tough for me to keep up with everyone on the track as far as finishes simply because I am on the track and doing my thing and cant hear what’s going on as moto after moto fire off the gate. I will say this, if you did not know Bryce Fords name before this round, you know it now because it seemed Bryce really wanted to leave Underground with a victory, or two, or three! I don't recall how many classes he won but I believe he took every holeshot and every win in every class he raced. I did not get a chance to speak with him after the race but hearing him after a few wins on the podium had him pumped to finding what he was looking for after his 2017 season was decimated by a crash during practice leaving him sidelined for most of last year. Good job Bryce, it was good to see a comeback story and your success play out in your home state.

The entire weekend/event was designated as a memorial race for those we have lost. A big purse was secured and handed out though the weekend making for a humbling tone at such an important race. Seeing family of those who are racing in heaven stand quietly on the gate Saturday night as Lanterns were lit and set afloat in honor of those who have fallen was sad but also a great time to heal. I was very glad I could be a part of it and it will remain one of the moments I remember forever.

The upcoming round at Ironman Raceway in Indiana should be great as long as the weather works in our favor. This round has seen us getting a good soaking over several seasons so be prepared for everything from plenty of warm dry clothes to sun tan lotion because the way this spring is going, we could get baked or frostbite! Enjoy the free time we have between rounds because we are in for another segment of non-stop running once we get geared up again.

On a final note, I have to thank everyone involved in the gender reveal that occurred on the podium. This was a surprise to me and I had no idea what they were doing but when it was all over I was proud to know I had a grandson on the way. The guys on the box really got into it and I cant thank them enough as well as Rodney Tomblin and Robin Ford who handled the secret info exchange with my son and for setting things up. It is another small piece of the puzzle in my career that will never be forgotten and again, I cannot express my family’s thankfulness for allowing our family to join in with the racing nation to celebrate this milestone. And I have been informed that Joel and Carlie Hetrick will be doing their reveal at Ironman so the good times roll on! As always, be safe in your travels and in all that you do. May God bless all over you!