Protagonists in the 450 class battle, Ryan Dungey and Justin Barcia are sure to battle closely again at Muddy Creek. Image: Simon Cudby.

The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship will return to the United States’ Southeast region for the first time in 15 years, with Muddy Creek in Blountville, Tennessee, set to host the third of 12 rounds.

Though it is new to the professional tour, the facility has hosted a number of large amateur events which would make it familiar to a number of riders who have progressed through the ranks en route to the national championship.

Muddy Creek Raceway is characterised by a natural terrain setting, ideal dirt and rolling hills, and should create an even playing-field across the 450 and 250 classes.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto carries the series lead into Tennessee after sweeping the first four motos of the season in dominant fashion.

His closest pursuer, Ryan Dungey, has been in the mix at every outing and the Red Bull KTM rider is eager to secure his first win of the season at the new venue.

“I’ve never been to Muddy Creek before so I’ll take it with an open mind,” said Dungey. “It’s a new stop for all of us and I think it will be interesting.”

The arm wrestle between factory Muscle Milk Honda teammates Justin Barcia and Trey Canard will resume, with the pair heading into round thee locked on points.

Former 450 class champion, Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart, is still in the mix, placed a competitive fifth despite crashing heavily in moto one at the previous round.

Australia’s hopes rest on the health of TwoTwo Motorsports’ Chad Reed, who has struggled with sickness at the opening two rounds to sit 20th on the standings.

The 250 class will likely see the back-and-forth battle between Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen and GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac resume, with each having claimed an overall so far.

Nipping at their heels will be Roczen’s teammate, Marvin Musquin, and defending class champion, Blake Baggett, both eager to stand atop the podium for the first time this season.

Tomac’s teammate, Zach Osborne, will be one to watch also. Osborne took his first AMA Pro Motocross podium in Colorado last week and grew up in close proximity to the facility, hoping to draw upon local knowledge of the track.