ATV Motocross

The Battle Continues for ATVMX National Championship at ATV Dirt Days

The Battle Continues for ATVMX National Championship at ATV Dirt Days

Thursday, August 11, 2016 | 3:00 PM
by:
Thursday, August 11, 2016 | 3:00 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Chelsea Taylor
(304) 284-0101
[email protected] 

The Battle Continues for ATVMX National Championship at ATV Dirt Days
ATVMX Invades Loretta Lynn Ranch on August 13 and 14 

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (Aug. 11, 2016) – The 11th round of the 2016 ProX ATV Motocross National Championship (ATVMX) presented by CST Tires, an AMA National Championship, is set for this Saturday, August 13 at the historic Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. 

The Loretta Lynn facility has been the home of the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship for 35 years, and just last week the world’s largest and most prestigious motocross event crowned 37 amateur National Champions. Now it’s time for the world’s best ATVMX riders to take center stage at the Ranch for what is sure to be a thrilling battle between Wienen Motorsports/Yamaha/Maxxis/SSi Decals/Walsh Racecraft/FLY Racing’s Chad Wienen and Maxxis/Elka Suspension/Liquid Wrench’s Joel Hetrick as they continue to fight for the coveted National Championship. 

Chad Wienen is hoping to come away with an overall win at the Loretta Lynn Ranch this weekendPhoto: Ken Hill
Chad Wienen is hoping to come away with an overall win at the Loretta Lynn Ranch this weekendPhoto: Ken Hill

Wienen and Hetrick are the only two riders who have a shot at claiming the 2016 championship; however, a full slate of racers are qualified to take the overall win this Saturday. Most recently, JB Racing/Root River Racing/Gold Speed Tires’ Jeffrey Rastrelli has found success and will be looking to steal the top spot away. After two solid podium finishes, Rastrelli is eager to improve his season and take home his first win. The Florida native may have an advantage when it comes to competition in the hot and humid conditions that ATV Dirt Days is known for. 

Jeffrey Rastrelli will be aiming to get his first overall win of the season after earning two podium finishes. Photo: Ken Hill
Jeffrey Rastrelli will be aiming to get his first overall win of the season after earning two podium finishes. Photo: Ken Hill

With only two races remaining this season, Hetrick will need some luck on his side in order to claim the title where he sits in second and 22 points behind Wienen. Hetrick comes into this round fresh off his overall win just two weeks ago in Michigan and will look to repeat his success and earn his seventh victory of the season. However, Wienen has shown that he is one of the most consistent riders in the series where he hasn’t finished off the podium the entire season and proven that he has what it takes to be a five-time National Champion. 

Although he has yet to find himself on the podium, Root River Racing/Hoosier Tires/Rage ATV’s Josh Upperman has put in a solid season where he heads into Tennessee ranked fourth in points. Upperman has yet to find himself up on the box, but has put forth some impressive rides this season and will look to put it all together this weekend. 

Root River Racing's Josh Upperman will look to earn his first overall podium finish of the season in Tennessee after earning a fourth at the last round.  Photo: Ken Hill
Root River Racing's Josh Upperman will look to earn his first overall podium finish of the season in Tennessee after earning a fourth at the last round.  Photo: Ken Hill

Maxxis/Liquid Wrench/Elka Suspension/Honda’s David Haagsma will ultimately be a rider to keep an eye on this Saturday. Haagsma finished just off the podium at the ATV Dirt Days in 2015, but now has an almost a full ATVMX professional season under his belt. With two podiums and six top-five finishes behind him thus far, Haagsma will be pushing his Honda machine to the limits as he charges for his first career win.

Saturday’s race schedule is as follows: practice at 10 a.m. followed by a timed qualifying session at 11:30 a.m. Pro motos are at 2 and 4 p.m. with an autograph session taking place at 4:30 p.m. For a complete schedule of the weekend’s activities, please visit the Loretta Lynn’s ATV National event page on the series website by clicking HERE

RacerTV will provide a LIVE broadcast of the racing action from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. including both pro motos via www.racertv.com. For the first time ever, live streaming will continue on Sunday, August 14, to capture the fight for amateur ATV National Championships. A highlight show featuring the event will air on MAVTV Saturday, October 15 at 1:00 p.m.

Looking to earn his seventh overall win of the season will be Joel Hetrick, he will also be hoping to earn some valuable points in the championship standings.Photo: Ken Hill
Looking to earn his seventh overall win of the season will be Joel Hetrick, he will also be hoping to earn some valuable points in the championship standings.Photo: Ken Hill

Saturday spectator passes run $20 for adults and $10 for children (6-11), with kids five and under getting in for free. Each pass includes pro pit access and pro autographs at no additional charge.

Amateur racing will take place throughout the weekend alongside the AMA Pro class, and local riders are invited and encouraged to compete in the event, as ATVMX offers classes for riders of all skill and experience levels. The amateur race entry fee is only $40 and riders can sign up at the event.

Local racers expected to compete this weekend will be: brothers Silas (Pro) and Lucas Lamons (Junior 25+), Christopher Bosnakis (Pro-Am/Pro Sport), Tyler Powers (Open B/450 B), Kenneth Payne (Open B/450 B), Jesse Voiles (Open B/450 B/Production B), Brain Tapp (Production C), Rocky Heupel (Veteran 30+), Braden Lollis (125 8-15) and Bryson Slagle (90 Automatic Jr. 8-11/70 Automatic 6-11).

For more information on the 2016 ProX ATV Motocross National Championship, visit the official series website at www.atvmotocross.com. Join the conversation on the series Facebook page, follow on Twitter and Instagram, and be sure to always hashtag #ATVMX.

Previous Round Results and Points Standings

RedBud MX
Buchanan, Michigan
Round 10 of 12
Saturday, July 30 

2016 AMA Pro Class Event Results:

  1. Joel Hetrick (2-1)
  2. Chad Wienen (1-2)
  3. Jeffrey Rastrelli (3-3)
  4. Josh Upperman (4-4)
  5. David Haagsma (6-5)
  6. John Natalie (5-6)
  7. Ronnie Higgerson (8-7)
  8. Nick Gennusa (7-8)
  9. Sam Rowe (9-10)
  10. Brett Musick (11-9) 

Overall National Championship Standings: 

  1. Chad Wienen (446)
  2. Joel Hetrick (424)
  3. Jeffrey Rastrelli (303)
  4. Josh Upperman (291)
  5. David Haagsma (279)
  6. John Natalie (275)
  7. Nick Gennusa (273)
  8. Ronnie Higgerson (219)
  9. Thomas Brown (215)
  10. Brett Musick (212)

SSi Decals Holeshot Award Standings:

  1. Chad Wienen (10)
  2. Joel Hetrick (9)
  3. John Natalie (6)
  4. Brett Musick (3)
  5. David Haagsma (1)
  6. Jeffrey Rastrelli (1)

ATVriders.com Top Qualifier Award Standings:

  1. Joel Hetrick (6)
  2. Chad Wienen (4)

About the ProX ATV Motocross National Championship 

The ProX ATV Motocross National Championship presented by CST Tires, an AMA National Championship, is the nation's premier amateur and professional ATV motocross series, hosted at top motocross facilities nationwide. The 12-round series features the Nation's best racers, teams and sponsors, and is America's largest and longest-running ATV national motocross program. Since 1985, the series continues to expand and produce top talent from the amateur ranks, while premiering the professional class. For more information, please visit www.atvmotocross.com.   

About ProX

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