Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship Returns to Action at Southwick

Ryan Dungey, Blake Baggett, and Jessica Patterson Lead Their Classes into Action

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (August 6, 2012) - Following a two-week break in action, the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, returns to the track on Saturday, August 11, with its anticipated return to Southwick, Mass., for the Moto-X 338 National.

Legendary Moto-X 338 will provide the most unique challenge of the 2012 season as the lone stop of the Nationals to feature sand, which provides an ever-changing surface sure to keep the world's best riders at their best. This weekend marks the series' 34th visit to Southwick, which has been the site of some of the sport's most memorable moments.

The "Sand Box" of Moto-X 338 in Southwick will host the world's best riders this weekend.
(Courtesy Hoppenworld) 

At the championship's previous stop from Washougal MX Park, Red Bull KTM's Ryan Dungey overcame a stiff challenge from MotoConcepts Suzuki's Mike Alessi to take his sixth straight overall victory and maintain his dominant hold on the 450 Class point standings. While Dungey's streaking ways continued for the overall win, his string of moto victories was halted at 10 after a captivating battle with Alessi in the opening moto.

Assuming the role of Dungey's primary challenger for most of the season, Alessi's breakthrough moto win served as the first for his MotoConcepts team while also ending a winless streak for the Suzuki rider that dated back to the 2010 season. With the anticipated return of Team Yoshimura Suzuki's James Stewart at Southwick, Dungey's competition will arguably be stiffer than what he's seen since taking over the points lead at the third round.

Last season at Moto-X 338, Team Yoshimura Suzuki's Brett Metcalfe overcame heavy rains from incoming Hurricane Irene to claim his first career motocross victory. Behind him, both Dungey and eventual champion Ryan Villopoto were forced to overcome their own bouts of misfortune, ultimately tightening the championship. With both Metcalfe and Villopoto out due to injury, Dungey will look to secure his second 450 Class win at Southwick.

Ryan Dungey is looking for his seventh consecutive win of the 2012 season.
(Courtesy Carl Stone)

A mere 11 points separates the top two riders in the 250 Class, with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Blake Baggett leading the way over GEICO Honda's Justin Barcia. At Washougal, Barcia withstood strong performances by both Baggett and his teammate Eli Tomac to become the third rider this season to amass multiple victories.

This trio of riders have led the way in the division throughout the 2012 season, trading victories between one another at each round. With four races and eight motos remaining, the 250 Class title fight is far from over heading to a venue that Barcia considers to be one of his best tracks, having won at Moto-X 338 during the 2009 season when he was a rookie.

Last year at Southwick, Tyla Rattray secured his second consecutive win in the sand with a strong 2-1 outing. 

Justin Barcia took the win in the 250 Class at the previous round, tightening up the title fight.
(Courtesy Carl Stone)

The Women's Motocross Championship will host its penultimate round of the 2012 season at Southwick, with a captivating battle for the title taking shape. Currently, Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki's Jessica Patterson holds a slim two-point lead over Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda's Tarah Gieger, while defending champion Ashley Fiolek is making a hard charge in third aboard her Team Honda Muscle Milk machine, 11 points out of the top spot.

Despite suffering a broken hand prior to the RedBud round, Patterson has continued to fight through the pain on the track. However, in the two rounds since she suffered the injury, her championship advantage has reduced significantly from 33 points. While Fiolek has claimed back-to-back wins to claw her way into the championship picture, Gieger has put forth consistent rides to put herself in position to claim a first career title.

Last season at Moto-X 338, Fiolek secured the victory over Gieger, while Patterson experienced misfortune. With this familiar threesome of the fastest women on the planet all within striking distance of the coveted championship, Southwick is sure to play a pivotal role in the outcome of the season.

Ashley Fiolek is the hottest rider in the WMX Class and will look for a third straight win on Saturday.
(Courtesy Carl Stone)

Moto-X 338, named after American Legion Post 338, which owns the property, has been hosting motocross events since the 1973 season. Just three years after the facility opened, the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship held its first event in Southwestern Massachusetts, Since then, Moto-X 338 has been a staple on the schedule and one of the most anticipated stops of the season. Affectionately referred to as the "sand box" and "the beach," Southwick is a fan and rider favorite, year-in and year-out.

This year, Moto-X 338 and The Jimmy Fund are teaming up to give away 2012 Kawasaki KX450, along with other great products from Chaplin Kawasaki, New England Race Fuel, and Factory Connection. A $5 donation will provide an entry into a drawing that will take place on Saturday during the motos to determine a winner. Follow the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship social media outlets for more details or go to motocross338.org/jimmy-fund/.

The Moto-X 338 National will feature live broadcast coverage of the first 450 and 250 Class motos on FUEL TV and AlliSports.com, beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern. Tape-delayed coverage of the final motos of each class can be seen on NBC Sports Network on Tuesday, August 14 at 4 p.m. Eastern.

Previous Round Results and Current Standings

Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship

Peterson CAT Washougal National

Washougal MX Park - Washougal, Wash.

July 21, 2012

Round 8 of 12

450 Class (Moto Finish)

1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM (2-1)
2. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki (1-2)
3. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda (4-3)
4. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki (3-5)
5. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki (6-4)
6. Tommy Hahn, Great Bend, Kan., Honda (7-7)
7. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Kawasaki (8-10)
8. Christian Craig, El Cajon, Calif., Honda (10-9)
9. Weston Peick, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki (9-11)
10. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki (17-6)

450 Class Championship Standings

1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 383
2. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 303
3. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 280
4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 247
5. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki, 220
6. Justin Brayton, Ft. Dodge, Iowa, Honda, 183
7. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 169
8. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 151
9. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki, 142
10. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Kawasaki, 137

250 Class (Moto Finish)

1. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda (1-2)
2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (2-3)
3. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (6-1)
4. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM (3-4)
5. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM (4-7)
6. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki (7-6)
7. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda (9-5)
8. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda (5-10)
9. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., Yamaha (8-8)
10. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki (10-9)

250 Class Championship Standings

1. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki, 355
2. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda, 344
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 323
4. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM, 305
5. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM, 256
6. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 218
7. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki, 185
8. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M, Suzuki, 168
9. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda, 144
10. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda, 134

WMX Class (Moto Finish)

1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda (1-1)
2. Tarah Gieger, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico., Honda (3-2)
3. Mariana Balbi, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Honda (4-3)
4. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki (2-8)
5. Sara Pettersson, Sweden, KTM (5-4)
6. Jacqueline Strong, Sedona, Ariz., KTM (9-5)
7. Hailey Larson, Mill Valley, Calif., Honda (8-6)
8. Kasie Creson, Vallejo, Calif., Honda (7-7)
9. Alexah Pearson, Sacramento, Calif., KTM (6-9)
10. Amanda Brown, Baltimore, Md., Honda (10-11)

WMX Class Standings

1. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 236
2. Tarah Gieger, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico., Honda, 234
3. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda, 225
4. Mariana Balbi, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Honda, 193
5. Jacqueline Strong, Sedona, Ariz., KTM, 176
6. Kasie Creson, Vallejo, Calif., Honda, 174
7. Sara Pettersson, Sweden, KTM, 173
8. Sayaka Kaneshiro, Osaka, Japan, Honda, 137
9. Alexah Pearson, Sacramento, Calif., KTM, 127
10. Sade Allender, Sanford, Maine, Honda, 118

Tickets for the remaining rounds of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship can be found at www.allisports.com.

For additional information please visit AlliSports.com/motocross also, "like" the American Motocross Facebook page, "follow" @AmericanMX on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content and information on the latest Lucas Oil Motocross news and developments.

For media information about the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, please contact MX Sports Pro Racing via email at media@mxsportsproracing.com.

MX Sports Pro Racing

MX Sports Pro Racing manages and produces the world's most prestigious motocross series - the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. The industry leader in off road powersport event production and management, its mission is to showcase the sport of professional motocross competition at events throughout the United States. Through its various racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports Pro Racing organizes events for thousands of action sports athletes each year and attracts millions of motorsports spectators. Visit www.mxsportsproracing.com.

Alli Sports

Alli Sports, is an action sports lifestyle brand whose mission is to connect fans with athletes and brands through best in class events, media, and authentic branded products. Alli Sports includes: the Dew Tour, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship and the Red Bull Signature Series; Alli Media, which creates, produces, and distributes original content; Alli RideShop, an online retailer carrying top skate and BMX consumer products; and Alli MotoShop an online retailer carrying top moto consumer products. Alli Sports is owned by NBC Sports. More information can be found at www.allisports.com.

AMA Pro Racing 
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing sanctioning body in the United States, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization sanctions professional motorcycle racing competition, which includes, AMA Pro Motocross, AMA Pro Road Racing, and AMA Pro Flat Track. Visit www.amaproracing.com.

NBC Sports Group 
When the Comcast-NBCUniversal transaction was completed in January of 2011, the broad reach and storied history of NBC Sports united with Comcast's 24/7 ability to super-serve fans to create the NBC Sports Group. The new sports media company consists of an array of broadcast television, cable television and digital sports assets, including NBC Sports & Olympics, Golf Channel, Versus, 11 SportNets (regional sports networks) and their respective websites. Together, the new combined assets of the NBC Sports Group possess an unparalleled collection of television rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the Olympics, NFL, NHL, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, USGA, IndyCar, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, Wimbledon, French Open, Tour de France and Kentucky Derby.

FUEL TV

FUEL TV is the only cable and satellite television network that features the exciting world of adrenaline and thrill-seeking sports including UFC, surfing, motocross, snowboarding and more. This new generation of sports provides a rich landscape of some of the most vibrant and action-packed television entertainment in the world. With more hours of UFC coverage than any other network, FUEL TV is the place to be for live fights, weigh-ins, prelims, pre- and post-fight coverage, specials and events you won't see anywhere else. See why adrenaline sports fans call FUEL TV the channel they never turn off. FUEL TV, part of FOX Sports Media Group, was launched July 1, 2003 and is seen in more than 36 million U.S. homes and can be accessed by broadband, mobile devices and other digital platforms such as iTunes®. FUEL TV programming is available in more than 50 countries around the world with 24/7 channels operating in Australia and Europe. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4 FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.

Lucas Oil Products 
Lucas Oil is a worldwide leader in the production of oils, lubricants and additives. Based in Corona, Calif., Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest-growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry, featuring a premium line of oils, lubricants and problem-solving performance additives. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top-selling additive line in the American truck-stop industry.  Lucas Oil is involved in an array of motorsports sponsorships, including the "Official Motor Oil of the Pro Motocross Championship." Visit www.LucasOil.com.