Ray Barton has already had a big year in motocross. He'll be looking to add one last major victory when he competes in the Mini O's at Gatorback Cycle Park in Alachua, Fla., on Thanksgiving weekend.

The Mini O's, short for Mini Olympics, is one of the top events in amateur supercross and motocross racing. This will be Barton's first time competing in the event. He was forced to sit out the 2007 Mini O's due to an injured shoulder.

With his shoulder now healthy, the 21-year-old Evans High School graduate is prepared to race in six events in Alachua -- located just outside of Gainesville. Barton will race in the 250 modified, 450 modified, and 450 stock events in both motocross and supercross.

"I feel like I'm in the best shape I've ever been in," Barton said. "I know there's a lot of good competition, but I've beaten them all before and I feel like I can do it again."

After starting the year with a pair of top-five finishes at a regional event in Muddy Creek, Tenn., Barton went on to capture an area qualifier at Lazy River MX Track in Dalton, Ga. He carried that momentum into the Branson MX National Championships, the biggest event he had ever competed in. Barton finished second in the 250 modified, third in the 250 stock, and fourth in the 450 modified.

"I was expecting to win. I mean, that's not a bad finish at all for a National, but I like to win," Barton said.

Barton first started racing at 15. He traveled to Warner Robins, Ga., with his father to compete in small races at International City Raceway. He now races in honor of his dad, who died in 2005.

"When he passed away three years ago, it kind of put me in a different mind frame. It made me want to stay on track. I pretty much race for him now," Barton said.

Barton lives and trains in Alabama, where he is roommates with former professional racer Shae Bentley and current pro James Ragsdale.

The two help provide guidance for Barton and help him prepare for a future in professional racing. Bentley was diagnosed in 2000 with Crohn's disease, an inflammatory disease of the digestive system, and is only able to provide Barton with limited on-track training.

"He'll train me for a day but then he'll have to stay in the bed for a couple of days because he gets sick," Barton said.

Barton's peers see quite a bit of potential in the young racer.

"I love his work ethic," Rags-dale said. "To see him on the track, to see him in the gym, to see how hard he tries, it's really impressive. He can go as far as he wants to go. If he wants it, he can go get it."

Reach Joey Jones at (706) 724-0851 or joey.jones@augustachronicle.com.