Wienen’s incredibly consistent season was the key factor in his path to a third title, finishing first or second overall at every round this season thus far, highlighted by a series-leading six wins. His average finish in 2014 is an impeccable 1.3 and he’s only finished worse than second once in all of the 16 motos run up to this point. The kind of statistical résumé is unbeatable in any situation and it’s no wonder Wienen was able to wrap up his title defense a round early.

With the championship locked up, the focus on Saturday’s finale rests squarely on the three-rider battle for second in the AMA Pro ATV standings between JB Racing/DWT/Mtn. Dew Live Wire Can-Am’s Joel Hetrick, Wienen Motorsports/SSi Decals/Walsh Yamaha’s Thomas Brown and Motosport.com/RRR/Ford/DWT/Walsh Honda’s John Natalie. Currently, Hetrick sits in control of his own destiny in second, holding an 11-point advantage over Brown in third and a 16-point margin over Natalie in fourth. Given how well each of these riders have performed in 2014, a double-digit margin is no doubt comforting for Hetrick, but he’s well aware that anything can happen over the course of two motos on the challenging layout at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch. 

For Brown the motivation is simple. One year ago he and his boss finished 1-2 in the final championship standings, signifying a landmark achievement for the Wienen Motorsports effort. With Wienen already crowned champion for 2014, another 1-2 sweep in the standings would serve as a statement to the strength of the Yamaha-backed effort and undoubtedly make them the most dominant team in the sport.

For the veteran Natalie, he hopes his past championship experience can work in his favor at the final round. Natalie was the rider who stepped up to challenge Wienen the most in the earl part of the season, but hard luck and some mechanical gremlins have dropped the Honda rider to fourth and in need of a season-best effort on Saturday afternoon. 

With no title on the line, there is bound to be some additional intrigue in the final two motos of the season as there couldn’t be a better opportunity for one of the other competitors in AMA Pro ATV to step up to the plate, make his presence felt and end the summer on a high note. Riders like JB Racing/Cheerwine Can-Am’s Jeffrey Rastrelli, along with the veteran duo of Baldwin Motorsports/PEP/Upperman Racing Honda’s Josh Upperman and BCS Performance Can-Am’s Josh Creamer, have all had some impressive rides this season and have proven that with a pair of strong starts, they each have the ability to challenge for a spot on the overall podium. No matter what, all bets are off at the final round of the championship, which means we are all in store for what will be an exciting and memorable day of racing at one of the country’s most renowned facilities.

This is the oldest race on the ATVMX schedule and it traditionally draws a lot of riders. Of course, the property is owned by the world famous “Coal Miner's Daughter” Loretta Lynn, a bona fide country music icon, and If she's not on tour somewhere, she may come over and greet the racers to wish them luck.

The soil is sandy with a sawdust additive, and due to its flat and sprawling nature along with the heat and humidity of the south, it’s arguably the season’s truest test of fitness. The combination of the track’s rugged nature and demanding weather means any rider could easily push the limits too far and cost himself a shot a victory. 

The world caliber motocross track is the same famed course that hosts the annual AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship for two wheels the previous week, as well as a spring GNCC Racing Series round. The facility only hosts three races a year, capped off by the ATVMX finale.