Professional sports have been slowly returning to New Jersey and this weekend professional motorcycle racing returns to South Jersey.

Headlining the three-day event is favorite and Freehold native Brandon Paasch.

“When somebody from New Jersey is doing a big event, usually New Jersey gets behind them. So, it’s a very supportive state and hopefully they get behind me for this weekend,” Paasch says.

Round 5 of the MotoAmerica Championship Series will be held this weekend at the New Jersey Motosports Park in Millville.

Paasch enters the race sitting in third in the supersport class. The 19-year-old says that he hopes having friends and family there to support hi will give him an extra boost.

“It’s my home round and I’m looking for a really good result this weekend,” he says. “I’ve been battling for the win at all the other races this year, so hopefully I can pull off the first win of the season at my home track, which would be really nice.”

Paasch started racing when he was 4 years old. He turned pro by the time he was 15. His racing career has taken him around the world. But he says that he hopes he can get more people in New Jersey aware of the sport.

“I want to keep the racing alive in Jersey and keep having events here. This track has done a lot for me and for my career,” he says. “For me to keep this place running is great and anything I can do to help is obviously good.”

The MotoAmerica Championship Series is the fastest form of motorcycle racing in the U.S. Races began Friday and run through the weekend. The event is open to the public.