Overcast skies and somewhat comfortable conditions greeted the ATV Motocross Racin' Nation at the world famous Unadilla Valley Sports Center for Round 8 of the Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship. Deemed the Can Am Northeast ATV National, riders are flocking from all over the nation and especially this weekend the northeast.

The biggest news heading into this weekend may not be coming from the Pro ranks but more from a Pro Am and Junior 25+ classes. JB Racing/Cheerwine rider #397 Duck Lloydƒ‚  will be out of competition (most likely) for round 8 due to injury. Reports are that Duck was practicing yesterday when he had an incident which injured both his ankles. Swollen and bruised Duck has to watch the ATV dynasty he has created in the Junior class come under attack for the points lead. It is also still in question whether Duck will be ready to ride in two weeks for round 9 at Red Bud. Always optimistic and positive Lloyd roams the pits with a smile in hopes of returning soon to finish the stake of his claims. Heading into round 9 the Can Am Northeastern ATV National Lloyd leads the Junior 25+ class and sits 2nd in the Pro Am class point standings. Lloyd will see an orthopedic surgeonƒ‚ on Mondayƒ‚ to check a full prognosis.

Last week at Steel City Gunner Tebon who is one of the premier youth competitors capped off another class win in the 90cc Open 8-11 is the only rider left with a perfect season in any class in the championship. Tebon rides in and leads the point standings in the 70cc Open as well with only an 18 point lead over young up and comer Lane Baird. Tebon like many is looking to capture two national titles at the season's end it seems to be on track to make it happen.

This past weekend at Steel City opened my eyes to another top youth rider that I had not really noticed until that momentƒ‚ on Sundayƒ‚ when Lucas Dunning from the 50cc Open class found his way to the podium for the 5th time this season. Dunning not only impresses me with his mad riding skills but also his mad speaking skills. Dunning sounds like a season professional while up on the podium always offering courtesy to his fellow racers and appreciation of everyone that has helped him get to where he is leading the points.

The brothers of Cody and Bryce Ford out of Texas have finally started to see the results we know they are capable of. The youngest of the two and point leader of the 70cc CVT 6-11 class Bryce had rough start the season. The first three rounds were more than obstacles for the young talent but since round 4 the win column belongs all to him. Bryce made the statement in Indiana to his motor builder, he said "Rich Hetrick finally got me a motor built that rips the hole shots like I like!" Rich of course just smiled and chuckled and had a look that said, "Yeah. I did that!" Older brother Cody started off a little better in the 90 CVT 8-15 class but has not seen winning consistency favor his efforts so far. Cody currently leads that class over Brogan Guyer who showed up in 2013 on a mission.

The Women Class racing should be exciting again this weekend. Even with the absence of Chloe Beurster for the rest of the season, it appears some are stepping up to fill her shoes and that includes a former Women class great Michelle Natalie. Natalie took the Women's class win at Steel City with Katie Mette riding to a smart 2nd. Mette said last week that she is not concerned with Natalie as she is not a threat to her title in the class and intends to put more focus on the Open B class point lead which she picked up from Chloe a couple of rounds ago and hopes to capture both titles by the end of the season.

Aside from Natalie stepping back into the game, it looks like Megan Manshack is raising the bar this week as she and Natalie are posting the faster practice times today and best laps only thousands of second off each other's pace. Unadilla is known as the "Home of Horsepower" and watching Natalie's quad run at Steel City, the one thing you can say is that machine is not lacking any power what so ever. Manshack is the daughter of Dee Manshack whom was John Natalies mechanic when he won the championship in "05 and anyone that know him knows that his work shines brightest on big track like Unadilla. Don't be surprised if Manshack comes out of here with the win.

Something interesting and new for 2013 and the Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross Nationals at Unadilla is the big track change that seems to have really made this a whole new race track for the ATV MX'ers. If you are familiar with the "Apple Tree" section just past the Gravity Cavity then you may follow what we mean when we describe the changes. So out of the Cavity there is a 180 degree turn to the right then a quick jog back to the left toward the apple tree on the infield. Here is where the change has been made. Instead of making the quick jog back to the left, the track now extends back down into the "Cavity" area of the track. This actually has opened up a lot of racing it looks like for the ATVs. A section that basically was one lined for years and difficult to pass on just opened up to multiple lines not only in the new turn off the wall of the cavity but leading into and out of this section of race track. Passing will be prime and again horsepower will be a big element to the weekend of racing.

It is hard to believe that ƒ‚ round 8 is under way and soon we will crown the ƒ‚ champions of the series at Dirt Days and it will all be a distant memory for the 2013 season. Who will the champions be? Stay tuned the answer to that question and more to come in the next few weeks.

That's it for now. Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.