2009 AMA ATV Motocross Nationals #5 - Sunset Ridge - Live Race Coverage

[Admin]

Walnut, IL - Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki/Yoshimura factory rider Dustin Wimmer was injured during a test session at the track "A Place To Ride" in Monroe, GA this past week, putting him out of commission for the next several weeks, and allowing new riders to take over his lead position in the 2009 AMA Pro ATV MX Championship

Wimmer said he hoped to be back after this weekend's Sunset Ridge MX, but he could be out of competition anywhere from six to eight weeks, leaving the door open for the competition to grab his championship, especially if he misses more than one round of racing.

Joe Byrd, the 2006 and 2007 AMA Pro Motocross Series' Champion from Union City, Tennessee broke Wimmer's winning streak with his victory at Ballance MX, proving he has what it takes to beat Wimmer at his best. Byrd is only six points behind Wimmer in the point standings, so a solid finish at Sunset Ridge could catapult him over Wimmer to take the lead.

Josh Creamer, of the Monster Energy Kawasaki team, took second at Glen Helen and, suffered a hard crash at the race in Alabama, improved to come in fourth at Ballance MX but struggled at Birch Creek to come in eighth. He is still third in the point standings but is almost 60 points behind Byrd and Wimmer.

Creamer's teammate Chad Wienen improved at Ballance MX, carrying solid 2-2 moto scores and then won his first moto of the season at Birch Creek. With another win, he could move up into championship contention. 2005 Champion John Natalie has moved up to fifth in the standings, coming in with consistent fourth place finishes at Birch Creek.

In addition, nationally-recognized stars including veteran Doug Gust, Jeremy Lawson, Josh Upperman, Pat Brown and a crop of hard charging rookies will make up a full gate of talent in the AMA Pro ATV Class.

[mxquad30]

At what time in US is the first module Thanks

[CADWELL]

Looks like racing just got under way...

I think we'll see alot of green with a little splash of red on the Pro podium at the end of the day..JMO....

[Admin]

For Round 5, There are only 20 Pro ATV Racers signed up, so there won't be any LCQ with everyone advancing to the Main event.

Can-Am's John Natalie hammered out the fastest laptimes of the day on Saturday with a 1:59:534

[Admin]

Kawasaki's Chad Wienen was the 2nd fastest on Saturday, but today, he took over the top spot with a 1:55.743 with Natalie suffering a mechanical failure before the completion of the 1st lap, so Natalie will have the last gate pick for Moto One.

[Admin]

Warnert's Can-Am Cody Miller grabbed the 2nd fastest laptime with a 1:56.487

[Admin]

Kawasaki's Josh Creamer also looked right at home at Sunset Ridge recording the 3rd fastest laptimes on both Saturday & Sunday

[Admin]

"Digger" Doug Gust is also flying this weekend as he looked to be on of the fastest guys through the pro whoops section, and he is running solo this weekend with Dustin Wimmer staying home in Georgia to recover from his shoulder injury. The word around the pits is that Wimmer hopes to be back by Round 6, so he might not be out of the points chase just yet

[Admin]

Honda's Joe Byrd was taking it fairly easy on Saturday, but today he was back on the gas, but there are rumors in the pits that Joe hurt his ankle after Birch Creek, so it may be interesting to see how well he holds up during the Motos this afternoon, and I will confirm with Joe later today the condition of his ankle.

[Admin]

The Live Race Coverage will begin in about one hour at 12PM Central Time