Angel Atwell almost sat out this season after racing for a few years without factory support. KTM swooped in to sign her on and three weeks later she was in Florida with a new quad.  Four rounds into the season, and she has yet to lose a race. Can she keep it up to win the championship?

You've had a great start to the season so far on the new KTM. How did adjusting to the new bike go?
It went good. I had about three weeks before the first race to get used to it. It was the easiest transition I've ever made from switching bikes.

What helped facilitate that transition to make it so easy?
Just the bike in general, it handles really good. The way it is designed, it's almost a cross between the Yamaha and Honda. I meant it's kind of the best of both worlds. Plus the little tricks the Yamaha and Honda didn't have.

What kind of tricks are we talking about here?
There are just some Really cool things on it. The no-link rear end is awesome. All the levers are all self adjustable right on the bike. It comes stock on the bike. There's a lot of little things that are really cool on the bike.

How's riding for KTM?
I love it. They are great. Definitely having a good crew behind you shows how far you can go with your goal for the season.

KTM also picked up your boyfriend Josh Kirkland- how's that going? Uhhh, Josh is not my boyfriend. He is just my friend.

Ooooh ok. Thanks, Weege. Weege gave me that nugget of information!
Oh no, he just probably assumed because we are always together. But, no.

So, how is riding with Josh?
It's great. Josh is a good teammate. We get along really good and support each other.

Did you know each other before you started riding for KTM?
Actually, we both rode for Tom Clark last year and that's how we met.

How did you get in with KTM?
I, actually, this is kind of a funny story. I wasn't going to race this year. Timmy (Farr) called me about mid January and asked if I was interested. Of course, who wouldn't be interested riding for Tim Farr and KTM! So I said, lets see what we can do.They're great. I signed the deal and two weeks after that I was in Florida with a bike waiting for me.

Why weren't you going to race this year?
I just put a lot of time and effort in it. I was to the point where I needed some kind of factory support. I wasn't going to go look for it, I was hoping someone would be interested. KTM opened that door for me.

Are you still working as well? Yes, I work during the week as a hairdresser. It's very hard. I have no free time for anything. On the weekends, racing and during the weeks it just working and training.

How do your clients feel about you racing? My clients think it's cool. I have a lot of supporters that are my customers. Even though half of them have never seen me race-they'll ask about how my weekend was.

You had a great start last year, a lot like this one, what do you think you're going to need to do to keep the steam to win the championship? Anything can happen. I did have a little hard luck at the beginning of last year. I'm one race away from being where I was at the break last year. Everyone's really stepped up the pace. So, I don't know. I can't really answer that one.

What happened last year? Started out and had a  really great race in Florida. Lost the clutch a mile from finish when was leading. Different stuff was happening that maybe if had factory support it wouldn't have happened. Now that have it, it definitely makes life a little bit easier.

You traded some words with Traci last week at Big Buck-and you guys have been rivals for awhile-how's that racing relationship? There really is no relationship. We are racing competitors, that's about it.

Wait a minute, Weege is showing me a picture of you kissing Josh Kirkland on the podium! Is this proof?
Oh no that's a bet! Wasn't he listening?

What was the bet? Did you lose it?
I put him on a training program, and I said he was going to start winning. So he said if he won one, he wanted a kiss on the podium. So I said, Fine I'll do it. And then he won in St. Clairsville.

Suuuuuuure.  So about Traci...
We're competitors.We run the same class. We're both fighting for the same thing I guess.

How did you feel when she tried to make the move past you?
To be honest, I was surprised. But I wasn't surprised, too. I'm a clean rider. I would never do anything to jeopardize anyone else. It was kind of surprising but I was also prepared for it. Rubbing's racing.

Lexie Coulter is up on the podium a lot too- do you think it'll be you three at the last round?
To be honest, I really don't know. I'm happy to see that Lexie's up there. I know she's been working hard for a few years. It's nice to have a battle instead of a hands-down win. It's more when you have  fun riding with that competitor. Lexie is definitely more fun riding with than Traci! You don't have to worry about her taking you out. She keeps to her line. She passes you fair and square. That's just how it is.

How do you feel about the Loretta Lynn GNCC?
I actually feel good. It's a fun track. It has a lot of hills which is a lot of fun.

So your goal for the year?
We're going to try to get a championship for KTM. I should have had it last year. Some things you just never know. I wouldn't be surprised if all three of us don't get the championship, but you never know. KTM is a great company to ride for. And that would be a goal to get those three championships.

Alright, any shout outs before we're done?
We have the best mechanic in the world- Sam. Sam the man. He's the best. He takes care of all of us, on and off the track. He's very smart and knows all the little tricks of the trade.