AMA Pro Motocross: High Point National

With the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship headed to Mount Morris, Pennsylvania, for the UPMC Sports Medicine High Point National, I was looking forward to returning to the site of my first-ever professional-level MX race. Turning onto Taylortown Road, I was flooded with memories. My internal GPS took over, and I instantly remembered where I was and what I had witnessed nearly 10 years earlier.

Yet again, the steep hillsides were filled with motocross fans from all walks of life. If there was any question how important this sport is to its followers, the packed house was a clear sign. Standing on the highest peak near the finish-line tabletop, I was hard pressed to spot even a single blade of grass. These folks aren’t “kick-back-and-relax” lawn-chair types, either. They like to get rowdy!

Whooping and hollering for their favorite athletes, giving aluminum-can salutes, and hoisting hand-painted signs high above their heads were a few of the qualities that the spectators demonstrated. High Point is one of the few tracks on Earth where fans can see nearly 100 percent of the track at all times. This equates to a great enthusiast experience and keeps the riders amped up knowing they are constantly being watched as they soar over the massive gaps and extreme natural terrain that the track offers.

Photographing a motocross national at High Point Raceway was one of the highlights of my professional career. On thing is certain: I won’t soon forget my return trip to the beautiful hill country of southwestern Pennsylvania.