Joe Gibbs Racing MX

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (May 18, 2009) – Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, Calif. will host the first round of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship Saturday, May 23. JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha riders Josh Grant and Cody Cooper will contest the 12-round series, each looking for their first national motocross title.

Grant, a rookie in the premier class, finished the 2009 AMA Supercross Championship fourth overall, the top-ranked rookie, and one of only four riders to win a main event during the entire 17-round series. Cooper, who was injured early in the supercross season, was forced to sit out the majority of the series recuperating. Last year, Cooper rode to fifth overall in the motocross series. He had eight top-10 finishes, two overall podiums, and three individual moto (the overall finish for each round is comprised of two 30 minute plus two lap races called motos) podiums, all on a privateer motorcycle.

There are big changes to the 2009 motocross series. Since the formation of the series in 1972, the races have been held on Sundays. With new management from MX Sports and the Alliance of Action Sports (the organizers of the highly successful Dew Action Sports Tour), for the first time in 37 years the races will now be held on Saturdays.

An all new television package will air six of the premier 450 Class events live, three on NBC Sports, and three on SPEED. The remaining premier class events will receive same day coverage on SPEED. In addition, all of the first motos will be broadcast live on www.allisports.com. The Glen Helen event will air on SPEED, at 9:00 p.m. (EST). Through arrangements with international broadcast partners, the series will air to six continents, 80 countries, and 430 million potential homes, including to American troops through the American Forces Network reaching 175 countries.

The Women’s Motocross Association (WMA) Championship has been expanded to eight rounds running in conjunction with the series, and the WMA events will also air live on the internet and on SPEED.

A new Friday night Fan Fest providing events and activities along with access to the pro paddock to all race fans for several hours prior to the start of the racing cap off the many enhancements to the iconic series, often credited as the original action sport.