So after a good night sleep we arrived back at the track at 7:30 for opening ceremonies. Racing started promptly at 8 and I was up moto 12 for class and 239 for cruiser. First class round came up and I was feeling good, all the nerves were gone and I was ready to race. The first gate was great and I came out of the first turn in second. I pushed for first all the way to the line but stayed put with a solid first score. Cruiser was a little bit more important being that I was going in sitting # 1 in points. I pulled a great start and lead it wire to wire. This was a HUGE confidence booster because I had some pretty fast people in my moto. Second 20 inch moto I snapped a great gate but was on the outside and came out of the first turn in third. I passed a guy for 2nd place in the second straight, but he got back around me right at the line. Second round of cruiser pretty much went the same, good gate and won wire to wire. Then it was rest time. They only did the first two motos for everyone on Saturday and then headed into the pro classes. The pro races were pretty exciting. A lot of good racing and good crashes too.
Sunday came and there was a nice 40% chance of rain on the day, so we were all praying that the rain held off so we could get the racing in. I was up early in class and it was a good one. Popped a great gate and pushed for first all the way to the line but came up about a half a wheel short. So I was set for quarters going in with a 2-3-2. Cruiser third moto went the same as the first two. I was feeling soooooooo good on that bike all weekend and really felt untouchable. I popped a great gate and it was over before it even began. So with a 1-1-1 I was heading into the semis with a lot of confidence and a good points lead for the national title.
Quarters in twenty went great. I pulled gate 2 which was awesome considering the first straight favored the inside. I pulled a AWESOME gate and got to the first turn ahead of everyone. I lead the quarter wire to wire beating out some fast guys. Semi’s rolled around and I was feeling good. I had a outside gate but I was not worried cause I knew I could do it. I snapped a good gate but got ran high in turn one and came out in 5th. All I had to do was pass one guy for a spot in the main when disaster struck. As I landed off a jump going into turn two my bars fell about 2 inches and were pretty much laying in my lap. I tried not to let that mess me up to much and stayed right with 4th, as I pulled even with him going down the 3rd straight. I went to pass him in the last turn when I almost got punted over the turn from behind…..so needless to say I didn’t make the main in class and was pretty upset…one because of my bars and two the dirty move that a guy put on me, that was completely unnecessary. So all I had left to do was to concentrate on cruiser. I snapped a great gate and lead everyone to the first turn, and that was pretty much it….the race was mine from there. So now with a good finish in the main…the title was mine. There was one person on cruiser I had not got to race yet and he is definitely my most stiff competition. Super nice guy from Cali that I have race before and lost but I knew I was a lot stronger that I was last time I raced him.
So here it was main time for cruiser. I was not nervous at all going in to the main event cause I knew I had what it takes to bring that number 1 plate back home to PA. Going into the main the championship was pretty much wrapped up since the guys that were behind me in points did not make the main. So really all I had to do was go out and finish, but you know that’s not how I wanted it to go down. I started in gate 5 and Tuttle was in gate 7. I snapped the best gate of my life and had him to the first step up….but when I manualled the first step up Tuttle pedal manualled it and got a wheel on me going to the first turn. I tried everything to get around him but he is a fast competitor and hard to pass when he is going just as fast as I was. So I pushed him all the way to the line but came up a little bit short. Never the less it was a great race and I was happy as ever. I finished second in the race but the national title was mine. Now I know what I need to work on for the next time Tuttle and I get to race again at ABA grands in November.
So now we are on the way home….sitting in traffic. It was a great ride and I could not have done it with all the love and support from Arian. She was a trooper enduring the sleepless weekend and helping me out with everything. I could not have done it without her. I would also like to thank the Deluxx family for all the support so far this year. Sorry this was so long winded but a lot happened this weekend…LOL. Hope everyone is doing well and had a great weekend. I will leave you with a picture I will treasure the rest of my life…and many more to come.
