Rain or shine, The Dirt Track at Charlotte will play host to what promises to be a no-holds-barred, two-wheeled slugfest in the Monster Energy MXGP of the Americas on Friday and Saturday. Weather won't deter the American and European stars of MXGP, who will be in for two potentially championship-deciding motos in MXGP and MX2 competition. Cooper Webb, a Morehead City, North Carolina, native and MX2 competitor, was the first to fly out after a ceremonial gate drop event on Thursday that revved up the excitement for the clear skies that will blanket the MXGP and MX2 action on Saturday.
Webb - a 20-year-old Yamaha rider who will make his final start aboard a 250cc bike this weekend before moving up to the 450cc beasts like in MXGP - said his new home track will pose a stiff challenge for riders.
"With it being a new track that nobody's ever ridden on, no one has an advantage," Webb said. "Hopefully, I'll have the crowd behind me, which will be a plus. Being able to finish my last 250cc race in North Carolina in front of family and friends at Charlotte will be really cool."
Webb's early introduction to The Dirt Track at Charlotte was a preview of the high-flying battles that may decide the MXGP and MX2 world championships. Slovenian Tim Gajser enters the weekend with a comfortable 65-point lead over Italian Tony Cairoli in MXGP competition, while Dutchman Jeffrey Herlings hopes to clinch an MX2 crown on a weekend in which he'll enter with a 76-point cushion over Switzerland's Jeremy Seewer.
The title fights, coupled with the United States-versus-Europe showdown among Americans including Monster Energy Kawasaki's Eli Tomac and JGRMX Yamaha standout Justin Barcia against Gajser and Cairoli, will give fans from 35 different states and eight different countries plenty to talk about as the unforgettable weekend unfolds.
TICKETS:
Gates open at 1 p.m. Single-day tickets start at $30 plus tax for Friday and $49 plus tax for Saturday. Fans can buy tickets at the gates or by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or shopping online for tickets and paddock passes.
KEEP TRACK:
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