2009 has been one of the most exciting years for the WMX. Not only have the ladies have gained notoriety with the new Saturday racing format and television air time specifically covering WMX racing, but they've also gained respect from fellow racers and from an increasing fan base. The WMX action has been non-stop and has kept us on the edges of our seats.

The action begins with the dropping of the gate as the racers head towards the holeshot line. As the ladies roar towards the turn they strive to get the edge over their competition and be the first to cross the holeshot line. The reward being a lead position at the start of the race, the coveted holeshot award money and the additional press that accompanies winning holeshot.

For 2009 MotorcycleUSA.com provided the WMX with the Moto 1 and Moto 2 holeshot awards. Each holeshot winner would receive a check from MotorcycleUSA.com for $250. A consistent holeshot winner could earn a nice chunk of change by being the first to cross the white chalked line. 

Honda factory rider, Ashley Fiolek has captured the majority of the holeshots, winning a total of ten motorcycleUSA.com holeshot awards. Her holeshot winning streak was first broken by Suzuki rider Sherri Cruse at Mount Morris. Ashley then resumed her holeshot winnings for Moto2 at Mount Morris then captured both holeshots at Lakewood. It wasn't until Moto 2 at Washougal that Japanese MX champion Haruna Masu took the holeshot and through a series of errors Ashley Fiolek has yet to recapture another holeshot award.

Last weekend's race at Southwick brought championship contender Jessica Patterson to the holeshot podium, who not only won her first holeshot award for the MX season in Moto 1 but also managed to win the award in Moto 2 as well. How the leading ladies will fair at Steel City is anyone's guess. Jessica Patterson's determination is obvious as she clearly dominated Southwick's muddy conditions. Ashley's point lead gives her a great advantage but her recent riding performance leaves us with more questions than answers of who will land podium and walk away with the championship.

We head into the Motocross finale at Steel City, PA anxious to see how the racing unfolds. We've seen rookie new comers such as Vickie Golden stand at podium amongst seasoned WMX veterans. We've seen multiple careless errors made which cost the rider not only a podium spot but also precious points as well. But through mud and tears we know one thing... Motocross is our life. Its in our blood and in our sweat. We eat, live and breathe motocross. Its our passion that fuels this action packed sport and keeps us wanting more. So when mother nature decides to bombard the racers and fans with unrelenting heat, humidity, thunderstorms and rain showers, what do we say in return? BRING IT ON!