Local motocross racers ready to compete with sport's best at High Point National

Vincent Luhovey spends most of his days working for his dad’s concrete business. At the same time, he aspires to become a full-time motocross racer.

Steve Roman is well past thoughts of professional motocross, but he still enjoys the thrill of slinging a dirt bike through the mud.

Both in their own way represent the everyday working man when they compete against the best riders in the world Saturday in the Geico Motorcycle High Point National at High Point Raceway in Mount Morris in Greene County.

Luhovey, a 2018 Hempfield grad, and Roman, a 2006 Kiski Area grad, will be in separate classes. Luhovey is entered in the 450 class, and Roman will run in the 250 class.

They each run under privateer status, which means they do not get help from a manufacturer.

It can be an uphill battle for independent teams to race against the factory teams, but Luhovey is ready for the challenge.

“The (factory riders) have a confidence boost from being on a factory bike and have the best trainers,” Luhovey said. “They know the bike is top notch. For me, competing with them and beating some of them, while pouring concrete throughout the week and trying to eat healthy, I’ve built my own confidence. I’m ready to go battle these guys. It all comes down to making my own little program as good as it can be.”

Luhovey, 24, partners with Mosites Motorsports in North Huntingdon. He has raced since he was 3 years old and has gone up against many of the current pro riders back in the amateur ranks.

He placed 20th in the 450 class at High Point last year in the overall standings.

“I feel like I’m at the point where I think I can get to that next level, can have some breakout rides and earn a ride,” Luhovey said. “I feel like if I got on a team where I could just focus on training, riding and recovering, I’d be where I believe I can be.”

Roman, 35, started his racing career at age 12, and dirt bikes have been a lifelong passion.

He stepped away from entering the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross races back in 2018, but he stayed involved in the sport by running a school for youth motocross riders while working full-time as a hotshot delivery driver.

Being involved with teaching youth riders helped rekindle his desire to race.

He entered High Point last year, where he placed 28th.

“Teaching kids gave me the drive,” Roman said. “I wanted to show the kids that their coach could still go out and qualify in a national and race in big events.”

Roman partners with Hillview Motorsports in Latrobe.

On Saturday, the first objective for each will be to qualify in the top 36. If they don’t, they’ll enter a last-chance qualifier that fills the last four spots in the field.

Then there’s two 30-minute motos to decide the overall winner.

Luhovey’s goal is to be fast out of the gate and keep pace with the sport’s best.

“I want to get a decent time in qualifying and then get a top 15,” Luhovey said. “From what I’ve watched, I think that’s achievable. If I can get a good start, I definitely can get a top 15.”

Roman wants to be competitive as well, and he’s looking forward to everything that comes with racing in a major event.

“Just the feeling of being at the hometown track, doing the parade lap and knowing you made the main event is amazing,” Roman said. “When you go to a local race, you may have four to six guys that are on pace with you, but at a national event, you have 80 guys that are running the pace you run. It’s awesome to have that type of competition to run with.”