Texas Stadium is set to host round 14 of the 16-race AMA Supercross Series this Saturday with Yamaha's Chad Reed holding a solid 37-point lead over Factory Connection Honda's Kevin Windham.
The event could be a showdown of sorts between Reed and Windham: Reed is the defending winner of the race, but Windham loves to race in Dallas and is a two-time winner in Irving.
But while Reed, Windham and others will be going at each other in the main 250 class, much of the attention this weekend will turn to the 125cc West coast competition: After a two-month layoff, the series resumes with Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Ivan Tedesco needing only a third place or better to clinch his first AMA championship.
The 22-year-old is having a dream season, winning five of the six rounds leading into Texas Stadium and is looking forward to the opportunity to earn his first major title.
Tedesco has always been considered one of the faster 125 riders, but suffered a string of bad luck in previous seasons. So far this year has gone remarkably well for him.
"I think I always tried a little too hard," Tedesco said of his previous efforts. "My speed was good, but I was a little out of control. I learned a lot last year when I had those injuries on the East Coast, and I had to mellow out a little bit.
"The bike (Kawasaki KX250F) has definitely helped me smooth out, too. You don't have to ride it like a crazy man. It's easier to be smooth on that than a 125. I think I'm finally maturing. I'm making better decisions. I think every rider has a year when they step it up, and this is my year."
AMA Supercross has a rich history at Texas Stadium dating back to the inaugural race there in 1975 when Jim Ellis won the 250 class on a Can-Am. Ezra Lusk and Mike LaRocco join Reed and Windham as former 250 winners in the stadium.
LaRocco stands third in the series and took an emotional victory at his home race in Indianapolis last month, while Lusk is just returning to the series after sitting out much of the year with injury.
