John Natalie finally got back on the podium and quite impressively as he grabbed the holeshot in Moto 1 and went 3-2 for second overall in Round 8 of the 2014 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship series on Saturday at the RedBud ATV National.

But Natalie's hopes, or any other riders' for that matter, of catching Chad Wienen ended quickly as the two-time defending champion brought home his third consecutive title in convincing fashion. Wienen swept both Motos and went home the 2014 ATV MX champion with still one round remaining.

The MotoSport-sponsored Natalie is now competing for a spot on the final podium. His second place overall was his best finish since Round 3 and his fourth trip to the podium this season. Natalie started the 2014 campaign off strong but faltered after enduring suspension problems, motor problems and then a broken shock in Round 7, when he needed a win the most, gave him his worst overall of the year.

All Photos: Ken Hill

Natalie once had a lock on second-place but then dropped out of the Top 3 after Round 7. His performance on Saturday tightened the gap with Thomas Brown, who is in third place, to just five points. Natalie is also just 16 points from the second-place Joel Hetrick, who took third overall at Redbud. Natalie did add to his lead in the Holeshot Championship award. He now has 11, three more than Josh Upperman.

The final round of the 2014 ATV MX National Championship season is August 9 at none other than Loretta Lynn's in Hurricane Mills, TN. Moto 1 starts at 3 p.m. (EST). Check out the full weekend schedule and directions to the ranch.

2014 ATV MX Round 8 Results

  1. Chad Wienen (1-1)
  2. John Natalie (3-2) - MotoSport rider
  3. Joel Hetrick (2-6)
  4. Thomas Brown (4-4)
  5. Josh Upperman (7-3)
  6. Jeffrey Rastrelli (6-5)
  7. Josh Creamer (5-7)
  8. Tyler Hamrick (9-8)
  9. Sean Taylor (8-10)
  10. Cody Janssen (10-9)

2014 Mtn. Dew ATV MX Championship Standings

  1. Chad Wienen (383) - 2014 ATV MX Champion
  2. Joel Hetrick (306)
  3. Thomas Brown (295)
  4. John Natalie (290) - MotoSport rider
  5. Josh Upperman (266)
  6. Josh Creamer (242)
  7. Jeffrey Rastrelli (220)
  8. Ronnie Higgerson (174)
  9. Tyler Hamrick (166)
  10. Sean Taylor (149)