The anticipation for this weekend’s season finale’ for the AMA Pro ATV Motocross National Championship is building to a fever pitch. The Edge of Summer Motocross at Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Michigan will serve as the platform and the stage is set for more surprises and chills. And even though this is the second visit to the event, it is the first time it is a sanction pro points event for ATVs. The point spread is only 16 and with 50 points still up for grabs and the two motos still to go, things could get exciting. 

There are several scenarios that can develop with this event with it being a sort of one off type event, the possibility for upset looms. This does not however change the fact that Chad Wienen is virtually a machine and will be hard to stop. The fact remains he does not have to win, but just ride two more solid motos. Solid doesn't seem to be a question though as if you recall he has finished on the podium at each round since he began his championship reign in 2012. 

The inaugural ATV run at Edge of Summer last year was not on the schedule and therefore a few including Wienen did not make the show last year at Soaring Eagle. The highlights from last year included the return of John Natalie after the horrific crash suffered early in the season at Muddy Creek. John nearly won the event but in the end Jeffery Rastrelli captured his first pro win. It was not a sanctioned win so it does not show in the AMA books, but history knows the story. Thomas Brown was also a big factor in last year’s event and had it not been for some mechanical issues he may have gotten the win. The fact remains there were a lot of things that happened here last year and this season could bring even more upsets and surprises. 

This year has a formula for that to happen again and possibly even more. The reason I say this is obvious. The point gap, along with the pressure of a longer season, as well as more time to think about it all. Add to the equation it's a one off track, it's being held at a premier resort and the atmosphere is nothing like a regular race. There are a number of variables that could contribute to something out of the ordinary taking place. 

Joel Hetrick may be in a better position than it looks. Not only does he have the extra time but also he has momentum and may very well have found a spot in the champs’ head. It's really hard to tell, as Chad remains very focused on the mission. This has been the goal from day one for him and though he hasn't gotten the overall wins he would like to have, he has what he needs and that is the point lead but one has to wonder if maybe even Chad Wienen is sweating this one some. One things certain, he shows no signs if he is. 

The biggest challenges this weekend will be just qualifying solid, the specially designed course and some new faces to the line up. It's not that they are expected to win necessarily, but they very well could become a factor before the final scores are tallied. The riders that will be competing on a single event AMA Pro ATVMX license are Cole Sepesi, Dylan Tremellen and Parker Wewerka. It looks like there will be at least 19 riders on the gate, but unfortunately John Natalie will not be lined up. He had a bad practice accident and will not be racing unless some major miracle happens. As for Joe Byrd, he is still on the fence with his injury, if he is able to make it that could produce a twenty-man field, which would be even more exciting. 

As far as the championship scenario breaks down, it looks like this: 

• Currently Wienen has 16 points over Hetrick.
• There are still 50 championship points available so plenty of points to gain or lose.
• A reminder if there was to be a tie, ties are broke by moto wins not overall, then the most 2nd place moto finishes and so on.
• Currently Hetrick has 11 moto wins and Wienen has 10, however Wienen has 10 2nd place moto finishes and Hetrick has 8.
• They both have one third place moto finish.
• The big kicker is Hetrick has one 18th place at Daytona.
• If Hetrick was to win moto one and Wienen was to get 12th or worse the tiebreaker would be out the window because Hetrick would have more moto wins. It would come down to whomever beat who in moto two pending on the placement of Wienen in moto one.
• If Wienen was to win moto one and Hetrick was to place below 6^th then Wienen would have the championship wrapped up.
• If Hetrick stays within five positions of Wienen in moto one the championship will go down to moto two. 

There are a number of scenarios we are faced with and the great thing about it all is that no matter who wins in the end, it has been a great battle. Both athletes deserve it but there can only be one No. 1. Who will it be? We will know this Friday night once the dust settles on the 2016 season. It's going to be a long couple of days.

That’s it for me for now. Let’s check in with Gloop’s Loop and Ken “I finally got a daughter” Hill. Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.

In The Loop With Gloop:

David Haagsma and Grayson Eller putting in the work before we head to Soaring Eagle!

Dylan Tremellen will make his pro debut this weekend in Michigan.

Keeping Up With Ken Hill: 

Soaring Eagle sits but just a few days away as I watch those of you attending get things cranked up for the finale of one of the wildest and craziest ATVMX seasons yet! There is just one more chance to make big things happen, one more race to leave your mark and one more race to make history! I want to wish all of you traveling and competing to be safe and have a great time and I will be keeping tabs on things the best I can from Unadilla as I cover the GNCC event. Scheduling conflicts do happen and I am bummed about having to miss this event, but you can’t ride two ponies with one saddle so make this event great and I, as well as so many others, will be watching social media for updates and will be cheering you all on from all over! 

Now the last week has been a blur as we held a wedding for my oldest son. It was a beautiful wedding and the stress finally went away as we watched things unfold. The to do list was long, the last minute details endless, but in the end it worked out and everything just clicked along with tons of smiles and many tears! It wasn’t hard seeing the kid hitched, as his bride is all but a perfect match to him so we wish them both decades upon decades of happiness. I think the hardest thing about all of this was finding a weekend that did not have me at a race that also worked for everyone else, I am just glad they worked around the schedule! It is mind blowing how much of our lives revolve around certain weekends and how fast the year can go especially a year like this where there was so much going on and we still have one major event to tackle as a family which will continue to add to the mayhem! A full season of racing, a wedding, a milestone-wedding anniversary and seeing my youngest son join the military, now that is a full year!

Don't forget to register for the banquet by clicking HERE! 

So that’s it this week. I literally checked on John Natalie's condition throughout the week, caught a few social media posts here and there and actually tried being a dad and husband during the run up to this past weekend which was weird! I saw that Joel Hetrick and Chad Wienen both had put in some serious motos as they prepare for the final showdown, which should be epic. Watching those two has been incredible this season! Other than that I had to all but turn off the Internet and be a family player so I apologize for not having the scuttlebutt (gossip) on anything I may have missed.

God bless you all and let’s rock Soaring Eagle!