FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

(304) 284-0101
[email protected] 

Joel Hetrick Looks to Earn Second-Straight Win as
ATV Motocross National Championship Travels to Underground MX Park
Rastrelli and Brown are set to Battle for First Win of the Season

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (April 12, 2018) – The 2018 ATV Motocross National Championship (ATVMX) presented by CST Tires, an AMA National Championship, continues in the Lonestar State this weekend, April 14 and 15. America’s longest running ATV series heads to Underground MX Park (UGMX) in Kemp, Texas for the third race of the 10-round circuit. Rockford Fosgate/Ti-Lube/Honda’s Joel Hetrick heads into this weekend three points behind the current championship point’s leader, Wienen Motorsports/Yamaha/Maxxis’ Chad Wienen.

Wienen grabbed the first win of the season at the Daytona ATV Supercross (ATVSX), ultimately leading him to secure the early points lead. However, it won’t be easy for Wienen as Hetrick earned the second win of the season at South of the Border (SOBMX) just three weeks ago. Wienen remains the only rider to earn the overall win at the Underground ATV National, with three overall wins, and he heads into this Saturday looking to continue his success.

Current defending champion, Hetrick shows the most promise in breaking Wienen’s Texas success. Hetrick grabbed the overall win at round two in South Carolina, and with a few weeks off is looking to keep his momentum rolling this weekend. Hetrick, sitting second in points, just three behind Wienen, and will look to earn valuable championship points this Saturday. 

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the season has been Baldwin/Jeff Rastrelli Land Grading/Ford Brothers Racing Honda’s Jeffrey Rastrelli. After some bad luck struck last year, it was clear that Rastrelli has gained valuable skills and speed needed to be a championship contender. Rastrelli has finished third overall at the first two rounds, and has the confidence it takes to run at the front of the pack. This weekend Rastrelli will look to earn his first AMA Pro ATV overall win at the Underground ATV National.

After a consistent start to the season Tbrown84 Training/CST Tires’ Thomas Brown is hoping to fight for a podium finish in front of his hometown friends and family. With fourth place finishes in Florida and South Carolina, Brown is hoping to improve his results and land on the box. Ford Brothers Racing/Baldwin Motorsports Ronnie Higgerson is off to a much better start than last, with two top 10 finishes, Higgerson is looking to have one of his best season yet. This weekend Higgerson will be looking to make his first appearance on the podium since the 2016 High Point ATV National.

JH Racing/Walsh Race Craft/SSi Decals Zachary Kaczmarzyk is in his second year of racing in the AMA Pro class, and he looks to be heading in the direction of a top five finish. Kaczmarzyk has already surpassed his best finish of ninth overall last season with his current eighth and seventh overalls at the Daytona ATV Supercross and South of the Border ATV National. 

GennUSA Racing’s Nick Gennusa is looking to get back to where he finished off the 2017 season. After finishing fourth in the series, Gennusa has had some bad luck strike in the opening rounds of this season. The skill and confidence Gennusa has will be the determining factors in getting him back into podium contention this weekend. 

Koster Racing’s Wes Lewis sits in the eighth overall position, while Rockford Fosgate/Ti-Lube/Honda’s Haedyn Mickelson is currently tied in the ninth place position with Koster Racing’s Brett Musick.

This race will be the TX Memorial ATV National to “Remember our Riders” who have passed away too soon. A $50,000 purse is up for grabs for all competitors at this event and will attract ATV riders from all over the nation to Kemp, which makes this round even more exciting.

Saturday’s race schedule is as follows: practice at 8 a.m. followed by a timed qualifying session at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Pro motos are at 2 and 4 p.m. with an autograph session taking place at 4:30 p.m.

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. 

Local racers expected to compete this weekend will be: Nick Crawford (450 B & Production B), Bryce Ford (Youth All Star, 250 Mod & Schoolboy Sr.), Cody Ford (Pro Am & Open Pro Sport), Cash Harsche (70 Auto, 50 Open & 50 CVT), Kenton Harsche (50 Auto), Jacob Hughes (Production C), Charles Muller (Open B), Carson Parrish (450 B & Production B), Craig Porter (Pro Am), Brendon Roberts (Open C), Tyler Roberts (450 B & Production B), Aaron Salinas (Youth All Star & Schoolboy Sr.) and Michael Weaver (Senior 40+).

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 $50 and riders can sign up at the event. To learn more about ATVMX racing, please visit the ATVMX101 webpage.

Previous Round Results and Points Standings

South of The Border National
Hamer, South Carolina
Round 2 of 10
Saturday, March 24

2018 AMA Pro Class Event Results:

1. Joel Hetrick (2-1)
2. Chad Wienen (1-2)
3. Jeffrey Rastrelli (3-3)
4. Thomas Brown (4-4)
5. Ronnie Higgerson (5-6)
6. Parker Wewerka (6-7)
7. Zachary Kaczmarzyk (8-8)
8. Nick Gennusa (15-5)
9. Haedyn Mickelson (10-11)
10. Wes Lewis (9-12)

Overall National Championship Standings:

1. Chad Wienen (72)
2. Joel Hetrick (69)
3. Jeffrey Rastrelli (61)
4. Thomas Brown (54)
5. Ronnie Higgerson (46)
6. Zachary Kaczmarzyk (39)
7. Nick Gennusa (38)
8. Wes Lewis (35)
9. Haedyn Mickelson (30)
10. Brett Musick (30)

SSi Decals Holeshot Award Standings:

1. Jeffrey Rastrelli (2)
2. Joel Hetrick (1)
3. Chad Wienen (1)

ATVriders.com Top Qualifier Award Standings:

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

For more information on the ATV Motocross National Championship presented by CST Tires, 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.

About the ATV Motocross National Championship:

The 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 10-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.

How to Watch:

Racer TV and MAVTV are the official homes for coverage of the ATV Motocross National Championship (ATVMX) events. All 10 rounds, from the season opening ATVSX inside the hallowed grounds of Daytona International Speedway, to the ATV Dirt Days finale at the historic Loretta Lynn Ranch in Tennessee, will air in 30-minue; taped-delayed telecasts on MAVTV, while Racer TV provides live streaming coverage of four differing events. Catch all the action at www.mavtv.com and www.racertv.com.

About the American Motorcyclist Association:

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world's largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders' interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com. Not a member? Join the AMA today: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/membership/join.