Reed prays for rain as AMA returns to Seattle.

The THQ AMA Supercross Series returns to Seattle for the first time in six years on Saturday, April 16, when Qwest Field hosts round 14 of the 16-race series.

The Seattle Supercross marks a return to the city, which supported doubleheader rounds of AMA Supercross during the 1980s at the Seattle Kingdome. The last race in Seattle was on January 30, 1999, when local favourite Larry Ward (Suzuki) won the main event in front of a near sell-out crowd of 60,193.

Arguably one of the greatest 250cc main events in Supercross history was at the Kingdome in 1996 where Jeremy McGrath edged out a hard charging Damon Huffman in a wheel-to-wheel battle that went start to finish.

Qwest Field is the home of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks and sits on the same grounds as the historic Seattle Kingdome. The stadium has a 67,000 seating capacity, with a roof covering 70 percent of the seating area.

"We're excited that the THQ AMA Supercross Series is returning to Seattle," said Kerry Graeber, AMA Pro Racing vice president, director of communications. "The Pacific Northwest has some of the best motorcycle racing fans in the country and they have been faithful supporters of AMA Supercross races for nearly 30 years. Qwest Field is a great venue and we're confident that AMA Supercross will be a great success there."

Suzuki's Ricky Carmichael leads the point standings coming into Seattle. With just three rounds remaining Carmichael, who got off to his best start ever in AMA Supercross, looks well on his way to earning his fourth championship despite going through a tough four-race stretch without a victory.

"I was in a great position to win last week and I got a little tight," Carmichael said after finishing a close second to Chad Reed last weekend in the Pontiac Silverdome. "You can't afford mistakes like that when these guys are riding at such a high level. I don't want to cruise around and just protect my championship. I want to get back on top because that's where I belong."

Reed's victory last weekend on his factory Yamaha was his fourth of the year and pulled him within 28 points of Carmichael. Reed is looking forward to Seattle and is hoping for a little of the traditional Pacific Northwest weather to help his chances to catch the series leader. Admittedly, Reed needs a little luck if he hopes to catch Carmichael.

"I want it to rain," Reed said of the open air Seattle race. "We saw in Anaheim earlier this year that one rain race can really turn things around and I need something like that to shake things up and give me a shot at catching Ricky. With just three races to go all I can do is continue to be consistent and get more race wins."

Seattle area racing fans will get their first opportunity to watch Kawasaki's young phenom James Stewart. The 250cc rookie returned from a broken arm and won a week and a half ago at the Dallas Supercross and he's hoping to be the first to win in Qwest Field.

Other top riders to watch in Seattle include Honda riders Kevin Windham and Mike LaRocco. Windham won a 125 West Supercross race in Seattle in 1996.

After nearly a two-month break the 125 West Series fires back to life in Seattle. Monster Energy Drink/Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Ivan Tedesco leads the series with two rounds remaining. Red Bull KTM's Nate Ramsey is second in the standings and is coming off a win in the most recent 125 West round in San Diego.

Interestingly, Ramsey won the last 125 West race in Seattle at the Kingdome back in 1999.