As the reigning three-time champion, Wienen has an edge when it comes to experience. He’s been in this position now for four consecutive years and knows better than anyone in the sport what it takes to win a title. However, throughout his dominant reign Wienen hasn’t quite faced a challenge as stiff as the one Hetrick has put forth this season. Not only has Hetrick consistently been the fastest rider from round-to-round, he has more moto wins (10) than anyone else in the championship. Hetrick has been incredible in what has become a breakout season, and if not for a few heartbreaking moments this season, he very well could be the one atop the points heading into Loretta Lynn’s.

Based on this season’s results, the 15-point cushion Wienen enjoys should be enough to hold on to the points lead through to the final checkered flag. He hasn’t finished worse than third in a single moto this season and even if Hetrick is able to post a 1-1 effort on Saturday afternoon, giving him a maximum of 50 points, Wienen needs to acquire just 36 points to ensure a fourth straight AMA Pro ATV title is his. The fewest points Wienen has earned at a single round of the championship this season is 44.

Although history suggests that all the pressure is on Hetrick this Saturday to go out and win at all costs, it’s the approach Hetrick has taken for most of the 2015 season. He’s shown no intimidation in pushing his Honda to the limit, and that won’t change this weekend. Instead the focus will be on Wienen to stay out of trouble and ride his own race, knowing he doesn’t need to win in order to walk away as champion. While these two riders have been the class of the field virtually every round of the championship, this is still motocross and anything can happen once the gate drops.

In addition to the crowning of the 2015 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Champion at Loretta Lynn’s, several other coveted distinctions are on the line. 

The ATVRiders.com Top Qualifier Award is a season-long battle to determine which rider walks away with a $1,000 bonus for laying down the quickest lap each weekend. Hetrick has been nothing short of dominant when it comes to qualifying, posting down the top time in eight of the 10 events this season.

Additionally, the SSi Decals Holeshot Award is a season-long fight for a $2,000 bonus. Once again Hetrick has been top dog in this fight, racking up 10 holeshots and 18 total points to go virtually untouched when it comes to getting a jump out of the gate.

No matter how the final championship points play out, there’s little doubt that Hetrick has set a new standard for speed during the 2015 season.

Beyond the rider-to-rider battle for the title lies the all-important Manufacturers Cup, which determines the best competing brand for the 2015 season. Given the landscape of the results this season, it’s no surprise that the manufacturer fight has come down to Honda and Yamaha. Only one point separates these two legendary brands and whichever comes out on top this Saturday will likely earn the coveted Manufacturers Cup.

The on-track action for Saturday’s Loretta Lynn’s ATV National kicks off at 11 a.m. CT / 12 Noon ET with practice and qualifying. AMA Pro ATV motos get underway at 3 p.m. CT / 4 p.m. ET.