Written by:
SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com
06/23/2009
Morgantown, WV
Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Chad Reed (Photo: Suzuki Racing)
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PROGRAMMING NOTE: The fifth round of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship will air live on SPEED on Saturday June 27 at 11:00 p.m. ET.
For just the second time in history, the Toyota AMA Pro National at Thunder Valley, round five of the 12-race Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, will be held under the lights this Saturday evening. An international pairing sits atop the standings as Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki's Chad Reed, of Australia, carries the 450 Class points lead while Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Christophe Pourcel, of France, aims to hold down the 250 Class points lead for a second week in a row.
Created in 1999, Thunder Valley Motocross hosted its inaugural Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship race in 2005 and has been on the schedule ever since. Last year, the track reached a series milestone when it hosted the first-ever night race. After undergoing several upgrades and renovations, Thunder Valley is awaiting the arrival of the world's best motocross racers to settle the score under the illuminated mountainside Saturday night. Fans that can't make the race will be able to follow the 450 Class action live on SPEED at 11:00 p.m. ET. The 250 Class will also air on SPEED at 6 p.m. ET on July 5.
The preceding round of the series, held at High Point Raceway, was won by fan favorite Reed. The event served as the first first-ever 450 Class overall victory for Reed, who has two AMA Supercross championships to his name. After a two-year hiatus, he has come back to the Nationals with a vengeance for 2009. Finishing 1-1 at High Point, Reed extended his overall points lead and looks forward to a repeat this weekend.
"It definitely took me (a long time)," said Reed. "To be truthful, I didn't think it'd be eight years for my first overall. But it wasn't for lack of trying. It feels good to get one and this is actually where I got my first (250) win. This weekend off is coming at a good time for me; I'm still not 100%. I'm just not feeling right and that's not the way to go (racing)."
