Written by:
SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com
06/30/2009
Morgantown, WV
After a pair of first-time winners stood atop the podium last weekend in Colorado, it is anyone's guess as to who will take the checkered flag in the 450 and 250 classes at Saturday's Monster Energy Motocross National from RedBud in Buchanan, Mich. The race marks the halfway point of the 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship season with round six of 12.
One of the most popular stops on the circuit, RedBud has been dubbed "America's Track" and has served as the centerpiece of the series since its inception in 1974. In 1978, RedBud hosted its first national over the 4th of July weekend and has been American Motocross' Independence Day tradition since its inception. The southwestern Michigan track is notorious for its massive tabletops and the infamous LaRocco's Leap, the largest jump in the series at 120 feet, named after Indiana-born legend Mike LaRocco who became the first rider to ever complete the uphill triple.
For 2009, RedBud will continue its role as the centerpiece of the three-race Monster Energy Triple Crown of Motocross. Current class points leaders Chad Reed and Christophe Pourcel took victories at the opening round of the Triple Crown two races ago at High Point. They both return looking to stay in the hunt for the $25,000 bonus that comes with sweeping all three events and will lead 78 of their rivals out of the gates. Competition from the 450 class will be shown live on NBC beginning at 4:30 ET.
