NEW KENT, Va. (August 23, 2013) - This weekend's Virginia Mega Mile, Round 9 on the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles calendar, is quite literally an inaugural event like no other. Located in New Kent, Va., Colonial Downs is an oversized track by any standard. Measuring in at just over a mile, the first-time venue will play host to the top dirt track motorcycling talent in the country on Saturday, August 24, 2013 as they mount their twin-cylinder motorcycles for the sixth time this season. The course's long straightaways and high-speed corners are expected to create a fantastic and ferociously fast experience that will challenge both veterans and up-and-comers alike.

An obvious candidate to claim victory at Colonial Downs is Bryan Smith (Crosley Radio/Kawasaki). Smith is the standalone winner on mile-long races in 2013 and his Kawasaki will surely put him in contention this weekend. A solid effort by the Flint, Mich. native will give him an opportunity to close in on current Grand National Championship points leader Brad Baker (Dodge Bros Racing/Harley-Davidson).

Baker currently sits atop both the GNC Twins and Overall Championships thanks to a consistent 2013 season. The 20-year-old Eatonville, Wash. product has finished in the top five in all eight main events this year, an effort highlighted by four second-place finishes and a solitary victory. Baker's fourth- and third-place results at the Sacramento Mile and Indy Mile, respectively, are reasons to believe that he is on the cusp of claiming his first 2013 victory on a big track.

Although most of his success this year has come on a 450cc motorcycle, Winn, Mich.'s Henry Wiles (Lloyd Brothers Motorsports/Harley-Davidson) will put his twin-cylinder machine to the test in Virginia. Wiles, who earned his ninth consecutive Peoria TT victory just two weeks ago, currently sits third in the overall Grand National Championship point standings.

Brandon Robinson (TJ Burnett Farms/Kawasaki) is another competitor that will be riding the wave of momentum as he heads for the east coast this weekend. Robinson, from Oxford, Penn., put together his second-best performance of the season last weekend at the Indy Mile with a second-place result and the 23-year-old will surely be looking for a similar finish this Saturday.

AMA Pro J&P Cycles Pro Singles

Wyatt Maguire (Kirkland Racing/Yamaha) currently holds the AMA Pro J&P Cycles Pro Singles Championship points lead by a mere four points. The Mead, Wash. native hopes to keep at bay his top competition -- Albion, N.Y.'s Ryan Wells (Waters Auto Body/Honda) -- as the Series heads to Colonial Downs for this weekend's event. Round 9 could prove to be that all-important event for one of the two riders as they try to break away from each another in the standings.

Fan favorite Shayna Texter (Crosley Radio/Honda) is coming off of her second win of the season after a dominating performance in Indianapolis. The Willow Street, Penn. product will look to improve on her sixth-place position in the J&P Cycles Pro Singles point standings by posting another mark in the win column during her stop in Virginia. Much like her Crosley Radio counterpart Bryan Smith, Texter has excelled on mile-long tracks this year, winning both main events held thus far and the rising star will be seeking her third 2013 victory this weekend.

Defending series champ and Davison, Mich. native Stephen Vanderkuur (Parkinson Brothers Racing/Honda) made big strides last weekend with his second-place result at the Indy Mile, his best performance of the year. Look for Vanderkuur, who currently sits fourth in the J&P Cycles Pro Singles point standings, to build on his momentum at Colonial Downs this weekend.

How to Catch the Action

AMA Pro Racing will be live streaming multiple channels of in-depth and behind-the-scenes multimedia content from this weekend's event on the AMA Pro Live streaming video website. AMA Pro Live puts fans in the director's chair, allowing them to choose from a variety of viewpoints alongside Live Timing & Scoring data. Live streaming will begin at 10:15 a.m. ET/7:15 a.m. PT and will continue until the checkered flag flies at the end of the Grand National Championship main event. Log on and tune in at http://www.amaprolive.com/ft/.

Round 9 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles season will take place at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va. this Saturday, August 24, 2013, with practice and qualifying set to begin at 10:15 a.m. local time. For tickets and additional information about the event, please visit http://www.colonialdowns.com/motorcycle-race/.

About AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles

AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles is a national motorcycle racing series in North America. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, the Series is one of the oldest forms of motorcycle racing and is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track racing in the world. The 2013 schedule consists of rounds on the country's finest dirt track courses. For more information on AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles, please visit www.amaproracing.com/ft.