Ryan Villopoto leads the premier 450 Class into Southwick. Image: Simon Cudby.

This weekend’s Southwick round of the 2013 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, marks the final US national to be held at the famous Moto-X 338 facility.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto leads the premier 450 Class as the series hits its mid-way point, carrying a 16-point lead over second place Ryan Dungey.

Dungey, aboard his Red Bull KTM, took the overall win at last year’s Southwick event and feels comfortable in the deep sandy conditions. He is also coming off the back of an overall win at Budds Creek.

Third overall in points is Honda Muscle Milk’s Justin Barcia. The premier class rookie currently sits 45 points behind Dungey.

Making a return to the US Motocross scene at Southwick is Australia’s Brett Metcalfe. The current Canadian Motocross Nationals MX1 series leader won the Southwick event in 2011 and will be searching for another strong performance in 2013.

Local hero and multi-time winner John Dowd will be joined by his son Ryan this weekend as they attempt to become the first father and son to qualify for a Motocross national in the same year.

In the 250 Class it’s Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen who leads the championship chase. The former MX2 FIM Motocross World Champion holds a nine-point lead over second place after five rounds.

Hot on Roczen’s heals is GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac. The Colorado native has shown flashed of brilliance throughout the season and it will searching for good starts to take the overall win this weekend.

Frenchman Marvin Musquin rounds out the top three aboard his Red Bull KTM. Musquin has earned himself two overall wins this season and sits 12 points behind Tomac in the title chase.

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett will be one rider to watch this weekend. Baggett took the overall win last year and will carry momentum into the event from his first win of the season at Budds Creek.

Jimmy Decotis has returned from his FIM Motocross World Championship duties to contest the Southwick event. The Massachusetts rider will enter on a privateer ride for the weekend.

Australia’s Jackson Richardson will contest the event aboard his privateer Honda. The Cairns native currently sits 21st overall in the championship standings.

The final pro national at the legendary facility that has hosted a round since 1976 will take place on Saturday, 29 June. Stay tuned to MotoOnline.com.au for updates and results from the event.