ATVs Charge into Loretta Lynn's Ranch

2008 season finale is certain to thrill

 

HURRICANE MILLS, Tenn. (Aug. 5, 2008) -- The ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA/ATVA National Motocross Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited will wrap up the Loretta Lynn's Speedweeks this weekend with ATV Dirt Days at the popular venue outside Nashville. The event is the season finale for the 11-race national tour and is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

 

The ATV Motocross Series features the top professional and amateur ATV riders in the country, competing at preeminent motocross facilities across the nation. ATV motocross racing is run on a closed course, which comprises technical "whoops" sections, as well as big-air jumps, tight turns and all-out straightaways. The machines are race-bred 450cc machines from top manufacturers such as Can-Am, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris, Honda, KTM, and Kawasaki. Riders easily make six-figure incomes from the large purses, and contingency bonuses posted by manufacturers, as well as other Series sponsors and suppliers.

 

Along with the premier ATV motocross action in the country, this weekend's event will feature country music recording artist Krista Marie in concert on Saturday at 8 p.m. A Women's Class ATV racer, as well as a singer/song writer, Marie will merge her two passions this weekend. The concert is free with race admission.

 

The event also represents the home plate of the $5,000 ITP Tires Grand Slam Presented by QUAD Magazine. The championship within a championship, being held at four of this year's Showcase Events, is offering monetary awards in the Pro Class, as well as special bronze, silver and gold medals in the Amateur Classes.

 

This weekend's Showcase will feature the popular RiderCourse ATV training program, as well as demo rides of the newest ATVs from Can-Am. The Showcase will also include other outdoor-themed displays and other entertainment opportunities for fans.

 

In addition, Friday's festivities will include a Kidz Karnival Featuring the Youth Contingency Program. The event kicks off with a Golf Cart Parade at 5:30 p.m., followed by carnival games staffed by the Series' Pro riders. The event concludes at 7 p.m. with the Youth Contingency Program featuring the Kidz Choice Awards.

 

The race will be telecast on Versus Network on Oct. 27 at 3:30 p.m.

 

Dustin Wimmer (No. 191 Team MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) wrapped up the Riders' Championship two weeks ago in Michigan, but the battle for second is in full tilt as two veterans prepare to do battle.

 

With a scant 19 points between two-time AMA Champion and Tennessee native Joe Byrd and ATV legend Doug Gust, the dirt is certain to fly here.

 

Byrd (No. 7 American Honda/Joe Byrd Racing School Honda) has three victories to his credit this year, including one at the most recent race in Michigan. Though plagued with bad luck early in the tour, Byrd is always a competitive force. With his hometown of Union City, Tenn. just 100 miles away, Byrd is definitely going to be the hometown favorite.

 

Gust (No. 55 Team Rockstar MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) with two wins this year, will likely show why he is veteran of all veterans in ATV competition. "Digger Doug," as he's known, would like nothing more than to add another victory his tally.

 

Josh Creamer continues to carry Team Kawasaki's banner strongly this season and his fourth-place slot in points demonstrates that. Creamer (No. 9 Team Monster Energy Kawasaki) has come close to a victory several times, netting three podiums, including a runner-up finish.

 

Jeremy Lawson (No. 16 Team Epic Can-Am) came into the season as a bit of a dark horse, but the Battletown, Ky. resident is currently leading the charge for Can-Am's new factory effort this year. With a pair of runner-up finishes on the new DS-450, Lawson will be one to watch here.

 

John Natalie (No. 13 Warnert Racing Can-Am), Harold Goodman (No. 708 American Honda/Houser Racing Honda), defending Loretta Lynn's winner Chad Wienen (No. 44 Team Rockstar MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki), Josh Upperman (No. 20 American Honda/Baldwin Motorsports Honda), and privateer Rocco Arno, Jr. (No. 101 Honda) round out the top ten in the championship.

 

Fast Facts -- ATV Dirt Days -- Aug. 9-10, 2008

 

What: ITP/Moose Racing ATV National Motocross Championship Series, America's premier ATV racing series. ATV motocross racing is run on a closed course, which comprises technical "whoops" sections, as well as big-air jumps, tight turns and all-out straightaways. The machines are race-bred 450cc machines from top manufacturers such as Can-Am, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris, Honda, KTM, and Kawasaki. Riders easily make six-figure incomes from the large purses, and contingency bonuses posted by manufacturers, as well as other Series sponsors and suppliers.

 

When: Aug. 9-10, 2008

 

Where: Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

 

Directions: Located just west of Nashville, Take I-40 to exit 143. Turn right and follow Route 13 north seven miles. The Ranch is on the left.

 

Loretta Lynn's Ranch

44 Hurricane Mills Road

Hurricane Mills, TN 37078

 

Who: Top Pro racers, including Tennessee native Joe Byrd, Dustin Wimmer, Doug Gust, Chad Wienen, Josh Creamer, John Natalie, Keith Little, Jeremy Lawson, Harold Goodman, Pat Brown, and many others. The Series also features the top Pro Am, Amateur, Women, and Youth riders in the country.

 

Pro AMA ATV Points

Pos	Name	#	Brand	Hometown	#1	#2	#3	#4	#5	#6	#7	#8	#9	#10	Points
1	Dustin Wimmer	191	Suzuki	Center Valley, Pa.	1	1	3	2	1	5	1	1	3	5	400
2	Joe Byrd	7	Honda	Union City, Tenn.	8	2	18	1	7	1	3	2	7	1	335
3	Doug Gust	55	Suzuki	Salem, Wis.	5	3	1	4	4	6	20	4	1	3	316
4	Josh Creamer	9	Kawasaki	N. Stonington, Conn.	3	20	4	10	17	3	5	14	2	10	261
5	Jeremy Lawson	16	Can-Am	Battletown, Ky.	15	7	19	5	11	2	2	8	4	8	258
6	John Natalie	13	Can-Am	Houtzdale, Pa.	4	10	6	8	2	19	4	10	14	4	248
7	Harold Goodman	708	Honda	Brownstown, Mich.	6	6	13	7	9	7	12	3	16	6	236
8	Chad Wienen	44	Suzuki	Galena, Ill.	2	9	11	7	13	8		5	12	2	221
9	Josh Upperman	20	Honda	Louisville, Ohio		4	17	6	8	4	6	15	11	7	209
10	Rocco Arno, Jr.	101	Honda	Bridgeton, N.J.	17	15	5	11	6