ATVA MX Muddy Creek

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BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (June 16, 2008) -- Muddy Creek Raceway track officials recently completed several major improvements to the venue for this weekend's Oakley ATV Summer National, part of the 2008 ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA/ATVA National Motocross Championship.

Included on the list of improvements is an expanded level parking area, a new road leading to the parking area, and expanded vendor and pit parking.

"We've had a lot of feedback from our riders, our teams, and our sponsors concerning Muddy Creek and I want to ensure you that we listened," said ATVA Promoters Group Director Sam Gammon. "We have spent the last month moving tons of dirt and gravel, and grading our parking areas in preparation for this weekend's race. We think these additions will only add to an already world-class facility."

The Oakley ATV Summer Nationals kicks off on Friday at the 1.1-mile track with an open practice session. Pro qualifying is scheduled for Saturday with Pro finals scheduled for Sunday. The weekend also features a full schedule of Pro-Am, Amateur, Women's, and Youth racing.

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BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (June 18, 2008) -- The ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA/ATVA National Motocross Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited hits the venerable Muddy Creek Raceway this Saturday and Sunday for the Oakley Southern ATV Nationals. The event, Round 8 of the National Pro Racing tour and Round 7 of the Amateur tour, is being held in the heart of NASCAR country in Blountville, Tenn., just seven miles southwest of Bristol. The Nation's premier national ATV racing series features America's best Pro riders, as well as Amateur, Pro-Am and Junior racers

The ATV Motocross Series features the top professional and amateur ATV riders in the country, competing at preeminent motocross facilities across the nation. ATV motocross racing is run on a closed course, which comprises technical "whoops" sections, as well as big-air jumps, tight turns and all-out straightaways. The machines are race-bred 450cc machines from top manufacturers such as Can-Am, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris, Honda, KTM, and Kawasaki. Riders easily make six-figure incomes from the large purses, and contingency bonuses posted by manufacturers, as well as other Series sponsors and suppliers.

The riders will be vying for the most coveted honor in ATV racing: The AMA National Championship and the AMA No. 1 Number Plate.

This weekend's event is being sponsored by Oakley. A manufacturer of high-end eyewear and goggles, Oakley has its roots in motocross racing, with its start coming when Jim Lannard began selling grips out of the trunk of his car at motocross races, beginning in 1975. Oakley will have a large presence this weekend, bringing its new "Rolling O Moto Store."

The race will be telecast on Versus Network on Oct. 6 at 3:30 p.m.

With just five events left this year, inclusive of this weekend's race, time is running short as two-time AMA National Champion and defending Muddy Creek race winner Joe Byrd attempts to unseat Dustin Wimmer from the top slot in the championship standings.

Byrd (No. 7 American Honda/Joe Byrd Racing School Honda) is sure to get a boost from the hometown crowd this weekend. Hailing from Union City, Tenn., Byrd hopes to bring home another victory here, and, in the process, bringing his season total to three wins and two additional podiums.

However, Wimmer (No. 191 Team MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura.Pro Taper Suzuki) has been on a mission this year to win his first title in Pro ATV competition. With four victories and two additional podiums this season, Wimmer has only finished out of the top-three once during the 2008 season, and currently holds a 61-point lead in the title chase.

Wimmer's teammate "Digger" Doug Gust (No. 55 Team Rockstar/MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) has shown that experience counts as the veteran rider has amassed a win and a string of top finishes, placing him third in points.

John Natalie (No. 13 Team Can-Am Racing Can-Am) has more than exceeded expectations this season, riding his all-new quad. While still in the development stages, Natalie's experience and competitive drive has placed the yellow-and-black machine on the podium once this season, and his consistency has slotted him fourth in the order.

Josh Creamer (No. 9 Team Monster Energy Kawasaki) has also torn up the circuit this year, riding a Kawasaki in just its second full season of competition. Creamer has two podiums to his credit and sits fifth in the standings.

Jeremy Lawson (No. 16 Team Epic Can-Am) has been on fire lately, posting back-to-back runner-up finishes coming into this race. Lawson currently sits sixth in points

Harold Goodman (No. 708 American Honda/Houser Racing Honda), Josh Upperman (No. 20 American Honda/Baldwin Motorsports Honda), Rocco Arno, Jr. (No. 101 Honda) and Chad Wienen (No. 44 Team Rockstar/MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) complete the top 10 in points.

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What: ITP/Moose Racing ATV National Motocross Championship Series, America's premier ATV racing series. ATV motocross racing is run on a closed course, which comprises technical "whoops" sections, as well as big-air jumps, tight turns and all-out straightaways. The machines are race-bred 450cc machines from top manufacturers such as Can-Am, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris, Honda, KTM, and Kawasaki. Riders easily make six-figure incomes from the large purses, and contingency bonuses posted by manufacturers, as well as other Series sponsors and suppliers.

When: June 21-22, 2008

Where: Muddy Creek Raceway. Directions: Take Exit 63 off I-81 & follow signs

Who: Top Pro racers, including Tennessean Joe Byrd, Dustin Wimmer, Doug Gust, Chad Wienen, John Natalie, Jr., Josh Creamer, Keith Little, Jeremy Lawson, Pat Brown, Harold Goodman and many others. The Series also features the top Pro Am, Amateur, Women, and Youth riders in the country.

Current Pro Points

Pos Name # Brand Hometown #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 Pts
1 Dustin Wimmer 191 Center Valley, Pa. 1 1 3 2 1 5 1 279
2 Joe Byrd 7 Union City, Tenn. 8 2 18 1 7 1 3 218
3 Doug Gust 55 Salem, Wis. 5 3 1 4 4 6 20 197
4 John Natalie 13 Houtzdale, Pa. 4 10 6 8 2 19 4 181
5 Josh Creamer 9 N. Stonington, Conn. 3 20 4 10 17 3 5 180
6 Jeremy Lawson 16 Battletown, Ky. 15 7 19 5 11 2 2 175
7 Harold Goodman 708 Brownstown, Mich. 6 6 13 7 9 7 12 160
8 Josh Upperman 20 Lousville, Ohio 4 17 6 8 4 6 148
9 Rocco Arno, Jr. 101 Bridgeton, N.J. 17 15 5 11 6 9 17 127
10 Chad Wienen 44 Galena, Ill. 2 9 11 7 13 8 126

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BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (June 21, 2008) -- Dustin Wimmer took the top spot in qualifying Saturday for tomorrow's Oakley ATV Southern National at Muddy Creek Raceway. The event is Round 8 of the ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA/ATVA National Motocross Championship.

Wimmer (No. 191 Team MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) turned in the top time of one minute, 54.633 seconds during the final session to beat out his teammate Chad Wienen (No. 44 Team MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) and Josh Creamer (No. 9 Monster Energy Kawasaki).

"The promoters did a lot of preparation with the track," said Wimmer of Sam Gammon and his Victory Sports Racing crew. "They mixed a lot of sawdust into the dirt and it really helped hold the moisture into the track.

"The track is pretty fast and there aren't a lot of places to pass, so getting a good start is going to be crucial tomorrow," added Wimmer. "It's great to have Chad back too. Our team is back in full force and I'm looking forward to seeing all Suzukis at the front tomorrow."

Wienen returned to action this weekend after missing a race due to shoulder injuries and is riding a brand new quad. The time off must have been good for the Galena, Ill. resident, as he was only one second off Wimmer's time.

Jason Dunkelberger (No. 19 East Coast ATV Racing), Cody Miller (No. 22 Can-Am), Hunter Miller (No. 90 Golden West Cycles Yamaha) and Brock Lyons (No. 43 Rath Racing/Dunlop Polaris) qualified for tomorrow's finals through the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ).

Rich Stambach, Steve Runkel, Michael Brown, John Ragon, Greg Meeks, Trent Kandel and Thomas Hager didn't qualifying for the 20-quad field.

The Oakley ATV Southern National continues tomorrow with Pro finals scheduled at noon and at 3 p.m., as well as a full program of Pro-Am, Amateur, Youth, and Women's racing.

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Moto 1 - Wimmer, Byrd, Gust

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Wimmer, Byrd, Goodman

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Overall for the weekend

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Takes us longer when our reporter is on the road and stays out, but better late than never! Enjoy.

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