A Look at the Summer Racing Season

Memorial Day Weekend usually signals a shift in America's love for all things fast. Yes, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will proudly display one of the world's greatest events, but in every corner of motorsports world, the summer racing season gears up for another unforgettable run.

This is no different for Team AMSOIL, so we thought we would take a look at some of the major series, events and teams that will be flying the AMSOIL logo at racetracks nationwide over the next few months.

Motocross: Who's the new kid?

Eli Tomac stole the show as the 2010 AMA Motocross Series kicked off in Hangtown last weekend. The newest Geico Powersports/Honda rider led his first professional moto for a few laps, won the second moto and took the overall points lead over a very talented field. Could this 17-year-old be the next big thing? Maybe, but he still has to beat out fellow AMSOIL riders and teammates Trey Canard, Blake Wharton and Justin Barcia. All three of these guys have won on the professional level, and Canard is looking to wrap up his 250cc career with an outdoor title to match is indoor Supercross championship.
The Outdoor Nationals return to action June 5 in Wortham, Texas.

Off Road Truck Racing: Fender to Fender at the Big House
If you love motocross and you stop in awe when you hear the hum of high horsepower, you'd better turn to the Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL. Watching these 850 hp trucks are plowing through turns and jumps at more than 100 mph is tough to beat. If the lose a fender, or a tire, or a hood in the process? That's just practice.

AMSOIL is once again the presenting sponsor and Official Oil of the TORC series. The 2010 season starts June 19-20 in Crandon, Wis. (Note: there is a sportsman series race June 5 in Antigo, Wis. and several pro teams will run an exhibition). AMSOIL has once again put together the AMSOIL Super Team. Scott Douglas brings his two BorgWarner Cup titles back to the Pro 4x4 class. Four time World Champion Mike Oberg is dialed in for another run at the Pro 2wd title. He will be rubbing paint with former Pro Light champion Chad Hord, who is debuting his new Pro 2wd Boss Plow/AMSOIL truck this summer. Finally, an old name will make a new start in the Pro Light class this season. Brad Lovell will take time away from his championship rock crawling and desert racing teams to chase the Pro Light title. Along with top drivers like Johnny Greaves, Ricky Johnson, Jeremy McGrath and Scott Taylor, TORC will once again showcase this growing sports top teams.

Road Racing: Pegram's Push

With one win under his belt, Team AMSOIL rider Larry Pegram is making a strong push to win the American Superbike title in 2010. Pegram will return to action on June 4-5 at Road America (Wis.) in fifth place. Remember, Pegram pushed is Ducati to the win at Elkhart Lake in 2009 and is coming off of two straight podium finishes. This fast paced racing is only at its season midpoint and Pegram is getting comfortable. AMSOIL is the Official Oil of AMA Pro Road Racing and the presenting sponsor of the Daytona SportBike class.

Spring Cars: Coast-to-Coast with USAC

AMSOIL is aligned with of some of the fastest racing in the world, non-winged sprint cars. The AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship has been running for the past few months, but with more than 200 races nationally, racers are just starting to find their groove. Whether you are in California or Indiana, USAC offers race fans five competitive series to watch 900 h.p. cars rip around the track.

Dirt Track Racing: Circle Tracks and Beyond

Not only did AMSOIL resign with the WISSOTA Promoters Group this spring to continue as the title sponsor of the AMSOIL Dirt Track Series, it also brought back the AMSOIL Race of Champions. The ROC is a major invitational for all of the WISSOTA classes held in conjunction with the WISSOTA 100 in September. To get invited to the AMSOIL ROC, each driver must win a ROC qualifier at one of the 55+ WISSOTA tracks.

Along with the AMSOIL Dirt Track Series, AMSOIL has partnered up with Circle Track Magazine on a revolutionary idea to bringtechnology experts to local race tracks. The AMSOIL Great American Circle Track Tour is hitting 25 tracks in the Southeastern United States this summer. Senior Tech Editor Bob Bolles is driving his AMSOIL sponsored motor home to each track and working with local drivers to improve everything from handling, motor set-up and tires. Along the way, Bob will spread the word about AMSOIL products. This four-year endeavor will move coast-to-coast and be reported in Circle Track Magazine as well as a daily blog from Bob.

ATV Racing: From MX to Off Road

AMSOIL has been heavily involved in dirt bike racing for more than a decade, but we have only started our relationships with two of the top ATV circuits running in the United States.

The AMA ATVA MX series is motocross on four-wheels. The ATV series is actually one of the few series that will race on Memorial Day Weekend as it heads to Delmont, Penn. As the Official Oil, AMSOIL gets access to the top ATV MX riders in the world. These guys are fast and determined and you can catch all their action on-line, or you can watch the new AMSOIL sponsored show ATV 24/7.

ATV is more than motocross, and the GNCC has been an off-road proving ground for years. This summer, AMSOIL entered into a three-year deal with the GNCC as the Exclusive Official Oil. Variety is the spice of life for the GNCC as they run a full day of ATV racing on Saturday followed up by a full day of dirt bike racing on Sunday. Through trees, waterholes and clouds of dust, GNCC riders are showcasing the same bikes you can buy at your local dealer.

On The Water: Teague and Rinker All Out

When it comes to racing power boat racing, AMSOIL has two of the best. Bob Teague is not only the tech editor for Power Boat Magazine and owns one of the top engine shops in the world, he is also unbeatable in his #77 AMSOIL Skater. Teague has one just about every race and championship over the past few years and will now be a featured racer on the GEICO Series television show that will air on Versus later this year. Teague will race in Ocean City, Md. this weekend.

From big inboard motors to high end outboards, we turn to Terry Rinker for titles. Rinker, who has won championships four of the past six seasons, will run an open schedule in 2010 after the dissolving of the Champ Boat Series. Rinker finished second in points in 2009, and will be the headliner at the Bay City event June 26-27.

Along with all of that, you can also find AMSOIL at the AMA Amateur Nationals presented by AMSOIL, Sturgis Bike Rally, Laconia Bike Week and all of the AMSOIL Shock Therapy Monster Truck shows. Oh, and please don't forget the Diesel Power Challenge, the AMSOIL Street Rodder Tour, the National Street Rodder Tour, the Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge and the Top Truck Challenge.

As you can see, it will be a busy summer for Team AMSOIL. Until then, we'll see you at (all) the races,

Jeremy Meyer
AMSOIL Race Program Manager

AMSOIL R/C Trucks Get Military Polish

Partnerships behind the scenes in racing are just as important as putting a logo on the side of a car, truck or bike. AMSOIL is lucky to work with great series partners and people that promote our products and brand at events away from the track, many times they are at events that have nothing to do with racing.

Robi Powers has worked on our behalf in snowmobile racing over the past five years and is also a dedicated partner with the U.S. Military. Robi has announced live sporting events (AMSOIL World Championship Snowmobile Derby), major U.S. sporting events and the Winter Olympics. He also coordinates celebrity visits for our troops serving overseas.

Powers recently brought a pair of Traxxas R/C Slash trucks to military visits with Armed Forces Entertainment in Washington, D.C. and Wright Patt Air Base in Dayton, Ohio. The AMSOIL and Traxxas trucks were a big hit with the troops. AMSOIL will be working with Powers to bring the AMSOIL themed trucks oversees in the future, bringing great promotion to the Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL, as well as a small piece of home style racing to our troops abroad.

(Buy an AMSOIL Slash.)

The 2010 TORC Series kicks off June 19-20 in Crandon, Wis. Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Jeremy Meyer
AMSOIL Race Program Manager

http://www.thewarriortours.com/

Rookie Tomac Wins Motocross Debut

The 2010 AMA Motocross Lites class is very, very deep. So deep, that the mere thought of a 16-year-old rookie landing on the podium, let alone winning the overall title at the Hangtown opener would be out of the box thinking. Way out of the box. Unless that 16-year-old is GEICO Powersports/AMSOIL/Honda rider Eli Tomac.

Tomac made his professional debut memorable with a victory Saturday at the 42nd annual Hangtown Motocross Classic. The win, coupled with a third-place finish in the day's first 250cc Moto, places the heralded newcomer into the points lead of the AMA Motocross Championship.
After a quick start in Moto 2, Tomac needed to only pass two riders, including teammate Trey Canard, to assume the lead. He then managed to hold the spot for the remainder of the 16-lap race to earn the top spot and the overall win.

"This goes beyond anything I could have hoped for," Tomac said. "We came in here not really knowing what to expect. You hope you'll match up with everyone but until you get out there in a real race you never know. To win this race, my first with this team, is really something."

Canard, who finished seventh in Moto 1 and second in Moto 2, leaves Hangtown third in the points after the first of 12 races in the outdoor season. GEICO teammates Justin Barcia finished fifth overall and Blake Wharton 16th.

Brett Metcalfe made his 450cc debut in Hangtown and finished fourth overall, finishing fifth and fourth respectively in his moto's.

The AMSOIL sponsored team will be back on the track after Memorial Day on June 5 in Wortham, Texas.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Jeremy Meyer

AMSOIL Race Program Manager

AMSOIL Race of Champions Begins

The AMSOIL Dirt Track Series is getting into full swing at the 55+ tracks through out the United States and Canada this month. AMSOIL recently signed a new three year agreement with the WISSOTA Promoters Group to continue as title sponsor of the 3,000 member sanctioning body.

New for the next three years will be an old idea as AMSOIL will step into the title role and reprise the legendary AMSOIL Race of Champions. The ROC is an end-of-the-year race held in conjugation with the WISSOTA 100. Each track will host a ROC qualifier, in which the winner will get a free pass into the "Winner-takes-all" race in September.

The ROC is designed to get racers competing at more WISSOTA tracks throughout the summer , as well as bringing new competitors to the popular ROC during the "100" weekend.

The first ROC qualifier begins Saturday night at Gillete Thunder Speedway in Gillete, Wyo.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Jeremy Meyer

AMSOIL Race Program Manager

Tomac Joins Stellar Stable of Riders

The AMSOIL sponsored motocross team (GEICO Powersports/Honda) is one of the top teams in all of dirt bike racing. Its young, revolutionary Lites program has put talented riders onto some very fast bikes over the past few years, including Trey Canard, Blake Wharton and Justin Barcia. All three riders have won on the professional level.

With Brett Metcalfe moving up to the 450 class this summer, that left a spot open in the Lites trailer. As in the past, the team had been cultivating the next young star on the amateur level over the past few years. Now, Eli Tomac will make his professional debut at the Hangtown National as the AMA Motocross Championship begins on Saturday. Moto Magazine caught up with Tomac to talk about his upcoming debut.



Will Tomac live up to the hype? Many people believe he is the real deal and this team has proven it has championship caliber riders. This weekend he gets to prove it.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Jeremy Meyer
AMSOIL Race Program Manager

AMSOIL University Races On

More the 400 Independent AMSOIL Dealers are racing through coursework this week at AMSOIL University, which is being held in Duluth, Minn., just across the bridge from AMSOIL headquarters in Superior, Wis.

Last night, a couple of those Dealers asked if AMSOIL was still working with the Traxxas R/C company and offering the AMSOIL-themed Radio Controlled trucks for sale. Traxxas is still offering AMSOIL customers special discounts on the Scott Douglas and Mike Oberg styled off-road trucks. You can click here for more information.

Chad Hord Pro 2WD Promo from Dirt Productions on Vimeo.

The 2010 Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL is just one month away with the first race schedule for the "Big House" in Crandon, Wis. on June 19-20. Douglas, Oberg, Chad Hord and rookie Brad Lovell will be competing this year.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Jeremy Meyer
AMSOIL Race Program Manager

Catching Up With Eli Tomac

Transworld Magazine is a heavy hitter in the world of amateur motocross. With the May 22 Hangtown MX National just around the corner, the magazine was wondering who some of the new faces of outdoor motocross were.


The event will mark the professional debut of Team AMSOIL rider Eli Tomac, one of the fastest riders to come out of Loretta Lynn's in years. The son of mountain bike legend John Tomac, Eli enters the Lites National Championship highly decorated. Transworld caught up with the likable Colorado native, so check it out:


Catching Up With Eli Tomac Transworld Motocross « Transworld Motocross


Tomac will have a lot of fast guys to compete with, and that's just under his own awning. Trey Canard, Justin Barcia and Blake Wharton will all be strong competition this summer for the rookie.


Until then, we'll see you at the races,


Jeremy Meyer
AMSOIL Race Program Manager

Trey Canard Takes Home Rising Star Award

Team AMSOIL Supercross rider Trey Canard took home the Monster Energy Supercross “Rising Star Award” Sunday evening at the Monster Energy AMA Supercross awards banquet in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Canard earned the award for not only his successful West Lites Class third place finish for the GEICO Powersports Honda team, but for his impressive run in the Supercross class during a 6-week stint with Honda Red Bull Racing while the series was on the east coast. Canard was on the podium in 10 times in 2010; 5 of 7 races in the West Lites competition and 5 of his 6 races in Supercross class competition. His drive and consistency on the big bike proved his ability to contend with the best of the best in Supercross and leaves many fans and industry professionals anticipating his full-time jump to the 450-class for the 2011 Supercross season.

“I really didn’t expect it” said Canard. “The award is awesome though, and I’m excited about it. The team and I worked hard this season and it turned out really well. When asked his feelings on the upcoming outdoor season, Canard said that he is “Looking forward to the first round. The bike is working great and the team is prepared and ready to go!”

Trey Canard returns to competition on Saturday May 22nd at the Hangtown National in Sacramento, CA as the first round of the AMA Pro Motocross Series.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Jeremy Meyer

AMSOIL Race Program Manager

Windham Finishes Second Overall; Canard Nabs Racer X Cover

Kevin Windham has been getting his fair share of ink lately. After winning two straight AMA Supercross events, K-Dub wrapped up the year with a come-from-behind third at the Las Vegas Shootout on Saturday night.

That finished of the season with five straight podiums and pushed his AMSOIL sponsored Honda CRF 450 into second overall.

His teammate, Trey Canard, didn't fair well in Vegas, crashing early and finishing tenth. He has been one of the hottest riders in Supercross this year, finishing third overall in the West Coast Lites class with two wins and five podiums. His success this season makes him the new cover boy for Racer X Magazine for the July issue.

Canard, along with teammates Justin Barcia, Brett Metcalfe and Blake Wharton will start the outdoor national season May 22.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Jeremy Meyer

AMSOIL INC.

Lovell's Grabbing Early Ink

Brad and Roger Lovell have been the kings of the rock crawling/racing world the past few years. While that will ring true again in 2010, the brothers are also embarking on a full schedule of Pro Lite racing in the Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL, (starting June 20 in Crandon, Wis.)

The move doesn't mean the AMSOIL sponsored team has forgotten about its roots. Along with desert racing, they are still doing well in rock crawling/racing. They finished second at the exciting King of the Hammers earlier this year and the off road world is taking notice. Their success at KOH landed them on the June cover of For Wheeler Magazine.

Two of their trucks are also being featured in Off Road Adventures magazine in a story about BFGoodrich Tires. Off Road Adventures is a free magazine produced by 4-Wheel Parts.

Brad Lovell will take the #232 to the Temple Canyon Hillclimb this weekend in Canyon City, Colo.

Until then, we'll see you at the races,

Jeremy Meyer
AMSOIL Race Program

Windham Wins Again

A late season surge brought home another win for GEICO Powersports/AMSOIL/Honda's Kevin Windham, his second in as many weeks.

Despite snow in Salt Lake City, Windham is definitely on a roll. Cold, rain and yes, snow, made the Salt Lake track a mess, much like Windham's 2008 win in Daytona. Windham dominated the race, which aired on CBS Sunday morning, winning his heat and lead from start to finish. Windham is second overall in the AMA Supercross Series.

Windham's Lites teammate Trey Canard finished second in Salt Lake and third overall. The entire GEICO Powersports/AMSOIL team will be in Las Vegas this weekend for the final weekend of race and the East/West Lites Shootout.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Jeremy Meyer
AMSOIL Race Program Manager