10 Things to Watch For in Indy
Friday, March 11, 2011 | 6:00 PM
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Print10. Hard and fast: Back in the day, races in places like Atlanta and Indianapolis were known for their soft, wet, rutted soil conditions. That’s in the past now, as the track crew has figured out how to harden these tracks up. Less ruts means safer jumps and whoops, certainly a good thing, but teams are having to revise their setups to maintain traction—especially to avoid the front-end washouts that have become so common this season. Stiff forks are awesome for jumps and whoops, but not so good for turning on slick stuff. We’ll see who gets it right.
9. Seely Stars: Cole Seely gets a shot on Josh Grant's Honda CRF450R this weekend. But the replacement rider standars are high after Trey Canard pulled a bunch of podiums out last year.
8. Stewart Streak: With a big points deficit to overcome through the second half of the season, James Stewart will have to go back to the old win-or-crash mantra that got him to a championship in 2009. Or was he already there? Either way, a healthy Bubba is always a threat. We just hope he can actually stay healthy after a few tough crashes of late.
7. Back to Supercross: After the hybrid Moto/Super track at Daytona, we’re back into a dome this weekend. The last time we raced on one of these, Atlanta presented one of the wildest, craziest, awesomest races in awhile. Here we go again!
6. The Little 5: Lots of hype for the big names on 450s, but we now have five riders in the Lites class who could win this weekend and not shock anyone--Barica, Baggett, Wharton, Sipes and Wilson. It’s not often that we can we make a list with ten realistic potential winners on a given night.
5. Will Dungey Win? Technically, 2003 AMA SX Champion Ricky Carmichael went winless in 2004, but only because he skipped the entire season with a torn ACL. Heck, James Stewart managed to get wins in 2008 and 2010, and he barely even raced at all. The last defending champ to get deep into the series without a win was Jeff Emig over a dozen years ago. The Dunge is close—to both winning or joining the Fro with this dubious distinction.
4. Short Podium: Can Andrew finally break the dreaded KTM podium curse? The marque now has a bunch of fourth-place finishes in its history (including back-to-back fourths in 1991 courtesy of current Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Manager Mike Fisher), and now Shorty is on that list, too. One of these weekends could be the weekend.
3. Canard Bounce Back: Trey Canard is now the living, breathing definition of rookie mistakes. And unless you’re Jeremy McGrath or Ryan Dungey, they’re going to happen, so no shame there. The good news is, none of his recent crashes have resulted in injuries, so there’s nothing to stop the 41 from going for the number one spot again.
Canard is still a contender.
Cudby photo
2. RV’s Strategy: While 23-points is a nice lead compared to where it was two weeks ago, Ryan Villopoto knows it’s not quite big enough to cruise to a title. Especially in a field this deep, where backing off the pace means backing off of the podium. So, the full field is still here and still going to race hard, which means anything can happen.
1. More Cheers: Atlanta has grown to become a key stop for this tour over the last decade, but Indy isn’t far behind. The crowds have been on the rise, and the big new Lucas Oil Stadium only makes this race better. It’s going to be loud inside this dome on Saturday—grab a seat if you can.
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There is an annual contest at the Melbourne University calling for the most appropriate definition of a contemporary term.
This year's term was: "Political Correctness."
The winner wrote:
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a piece of shit by the clean end"
GWN, not sure how to relate this to supercross, but I like it.
@moto153, I just feel all the media is a little too PC these days. Even extends to the racing with block passess being contraversial and even the comments regarding the asterik crews letting JS ride. I think we all need to STFU and race!
AGREED CANUCK.
Stewart streak? Really Weege? Win or crash? He's been crashing alright. It must be hard editing an entire magazine, with Stewart's ballsack always in your mouth.
I think everyone should respect the fact that JS is giving it all. It would suck to see him just riding around waiting for the others to crash. Its a crappy way to win.
After attending Daytona with my 7 year old, walking through the pits, we saw all the riders and they all seem pretty cool and willing to take pictures and talk to as many people as they can. ONE EXCEPTION WAS RV, the guy is an asshole, I understand he has a job to do and it has to be hard dealing with all the people, but he seem to be the only one.
RV you just lost a couple of fans, after the way you treated my son, I hope you crash and hurt yourself.
GWN, I agree.
Jimmy! For crying out loud man. You need to own your own integrity.
Wishing a crash and pain on someone only validates that you are not the kind of person anyone would want to take the time for.
You could be upset or even disappointed, and not be a fan. I get that.
I will say this. Being a guy who saw RV growing up and racing in the NW, he is a good kid. Painfully shy, which may account for his less than eager engagement with the public or the podium speeches.
You however are someone that I would question with your less than honorable intentions
HEY HEY JIMMEY OVER HERE
IM NOT SURE YOU KNOW WHO THE REAL ASSHOLE IS FOR WISHIN SOMETHING SO HARSH ON RV. DID YOU EVER THINK THAT HE JUST DOESNT WANT TO WASTE HIS TIME ON DICKHEADS LIKE YOU.
Mike, you don't have kids, do you.. and if you do and someone treats them like shit, then you would feel the same way.
@Jimmy " I hope you crash and hurt yourself" with this bs attitude your crew probably should have been shit on. Find a different pasttime we dont want you.....
Jimmy...come on dude...really...i understand the love you have for your son...i have two sons of my own....trying to turn them into men...lifes harsh relalities are a part of that...you cant protect your kids forever bud...get over it and move on...your boy will be fine....Villomoto has a job to do and catering to redneck trailer trash is just not on his agenda...
@JIMMY You are a claas act aren't you. I tried for JS autographs at the finals in'05 and '06 and watched as his posse told many people and their children that they would not get one because they didn't have some special card that they handed out earlier in the day. I was upset at first but you have got to thank about how many hundreds of people they meet and sign thangs for on a weekly basis. If you these guys try to please evreyone all the time, they wouldn't have time to to work.
@JIMMY SO do whaat everyone else in the same position does. Respect the fact that his plate far beyond full. and try again another time. Don't be bitter, you are suposed to be a role model for your kids.
when your kids sit and watch races with you,they look up to their heroes,Its tough to explain to them why they are being shunned or mistreated .sorry that's too bad RV was being a jackass...
endo4....so who was it that told you parenting was easy? I want to meet this cat...so you telll your kids the deal...so what..its life girly girls...I really think you and jimmy need to exchange your panties for some boxers
I get this vibe that if anybody interrupted Jimmy with small talk while he's trying to do his work, he would bite their heads off, and I think of his sons interrupting him to suffer that fate. So Jimmy. Look at yourself and realize that Villopoto has a lot of pressure, last year he screwed his leg up in an extremely painful crash while trying to win this same championship series, and he's at the races to win races. Winning races doesn't only apply to what he does on the track. He might want to look at how some of the rut berms are developing as time wears on. He might be thinking of his favorite line, some alternate lines, how to make up time, where he's losing time, how to take another rider's faster line, he might be thinking of his lap time, picking a spot on the gate, how to overcome a clutch problem, he might need to stretch scarred ligaments from last year's crash, he might have a wrist injury he hasn't told anyone about, and he might want to go ice it.
Damn, be understanding. A guy like you should be more of a Stewart fan. You like crashes, don't you?
I have to agree that Jimmy you are being way to harsh...
But as a father and someone who spends money and time on Supercross and Motocross as a fan and has all 4 of my kids turned into fans, I do hold the racers a little accountable for how they treat the fans. If it weren't for the fans, Ryan would not be making the money he does.
Ryan D., Chad R., James S., Mike A., Kevin W., the list goes on and on. Are so cool to my kids and go out of their way to make sure they get their money's worth and a memory that will last a lifetime. Isn't everyone of these riders doing the same thing, fighting for a championship? Why is it Ryan V. gets a pass? He chose to be part of this sport, and it's a spectator driven sport. Ryan V., has never taking the time and my kids don't like him either.
So yes we root for many other riders and root against Ryan V. That is our choice, but I would never wish ill will on him or any other rider.
Now back to your local article......
Oh I get it ! the life lesson is if your famous, you can treat people like $h!t and be a jerk is ok.. your starry eye fans (that never even met you ) will make excuses for you...
public relations is part of their job
Bob Hannah said it best in MXA, he called Bubba out on his autograph "signing" system.... you guys should read that interview.
Back when hannah was signing those autographs, there were about 70% fewer fans. My hands sore just thinking about it. rubber stamp fer sure.
rich cochran , Id love to read that interview, imm looking hit us with a link if you have seen it online. Love hannah!
Im predicting a Windham podium(not one from a heat or lcq.) Podium speach from the main. Geaux K-DUB!
Bubba will never win another championship but I'm so thankful we get to watch him cuz he is an all out rider and steals the show when he's in the show no mo what position. Stay healthy bubba.
One good thing that I think will come from Stewarts failure to win this championship is that to keep his sponsors he'll likely choose to ride the nats which will give us more 'facetime' with this amazing rider.
That true .....TV2 is as#hole.I heard him talking about RD5 same staff ,to crash and do not win the motocross title.RV2 is the same guy :)))
Absolutely disagree about it being good the tracks are made harder on the east coast...
Soon SX will be like the US Nationals with all the tracks being described as deep and loamy...
Variety is good, makes for the spice of life and better racing!!!!
Dont like the idea of making the tracks harder,one of the toughest things to do is ride the ruts.Give the guys who are good in the ruts their advantage. Before we know it will be like freestyle!!!!
Crush, I agree, If the soil is naturally wet and gets rutted, then that is the way the track should be. Variety is what makes a certain race in a certain part of the country different. Why make every race the same?? They dont do that in Daytona, so why do it to the others?? Its one reason why races get ruined by a guy washing out his front end. I say leave the soil the way it is at every location. It is one more spet to making the tracks cookie cutter. Boring.
Back in the day grassroots racers knew what racing was all about, they wanted fans support! Now, races are more in it for the money, but society has changed the sport forever! But if you get to know the women racers they are virtually all accessible to their fans... the ones who really know what the sport is about are there for their fans and have no problem signing autographs, but the WMX gets no support or respect from the cookie-cutter fans! WMX is what the sport is really supposed to be about... they do it for the fans, because getting sponsorship for them is tough, they know who really drives the sport.
http://motocross.transworld.net/1000104228/features/catching-up-with-bob-hannah
here is Hanna talking about what the sport was really about!!
What does getting someone's autograph accomplish, or saying good luck to an athlete really do?? I don't care what they do in their personal lives, I have no interest in hanging out with them.. I would like to be at the track on practice day yes to watch them ride but who wants to be another hanger on?? Professional athletes are pretty intense on game day/race weekend.
AS A SPECTATOR OF MX AND SUPERCROSS FOR 40 YEARS. I HAVE FOUND THAT 99% OF ALL THE RIDERS ARE VERY NICE AND PERSONABLE WICH IS WHY I HAVE A HARD TIME HAVEING A FAVORITE RIDER. IVE BEEN IN THE PITS MANY OF TIMES OVER THE YEARS AND TRY MY BEST TO NOT BOTHER THE RIDERS AS I KNOW THEY ARE TRYING TO GET READY FOR WHAT THEY DO. AND AT THIS LEVEL THEY NEED TO HAVE A CLEAR MIND AND THINK OF THE TASK AT HAND. IF YOU GO TO THE RACES AND BUY A PIT PASS YOU CAN MEET MOST RIDERS INCLUDING YOUR FAVORITE. THEY HAVE TIMES ON THE TRUCKS FOR MEET AND GREET AND AUTOGRAPH. THE RIDERS CAN NOT MEET EVER ONE BECAUSE TIME DOES NOT ALLOW IT. VILLOPOTO IS A GREAT GUY IVE TALK TO HIM A FEW TIME AT THE RACES AND KNOW HE WOULD LOVE TO MEET ANY FAN OF HIS. I LIKE A GOOD CRASH LIKE ALL OTHERS BUT TO WISH SOMEONE TO GET HURT IS TOTAL BULL SHIT. GO RV AND STAY HEALTHY AND WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP THAT YOU DESERVE.
If you gave everyone for an autograph you have to take time away from something? There has to be a cutoff! Jimmy you sound like that M&M song where the guys puts his girlfriend in a trunk and kills her because he didn't get the attention he deserves. Jimmy AKA (STAN) get over it! A started cap could be in the mail? Try his website and send a message. RV has always been good to my kids. Get there early and wait is the best advice I can give.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSLZFdqwh7E you go Stan the biggest fan! aka jimmy
That is really funny sh*t right there.
Good grief what a bunch of inane comments and some good,maybe ok? Now may we all go to the top of the comment list and read GWN's post about Political Correctness?? that summs up the posts for today. Now if anyone of you can tell me where tho find the clean part of shit to pick up I would be glad to know. PS: to all just incase you dont know thre really is no such thing as political correctness. I get upset when someone tries to say I am hearing impaired I tell them bullshit I am deaf your are fat or short ugly or stupid I dunno? hey I am just saying polical corectness is a joke. Ya I am deaf and kinda crippled so what say it as it is. Ya aare not goona hurt my feeelings.
And back when I raced and was kinda good I even had to tell people I dont have time right now, but when I could I would help anybody I could.\
Where is trick when we need a good comment again LOL wanna meet you dude you seem ok.
Jimmy, maybe instead of teaching your kids how to whine and complain about everything you should use that as an example that the world isn't a nice place and not everyone is going to treat them how you do. Ryan Villopoto has bigger things to worry about, like getting his name in the history books, than making sure that every Jimmy Jr. goes home happy. A reaction like that where you wish harm on someone is probably the main reason no one cares enough to give every kid an autograph. So unless you can remind me the last time you ran 10 races on the supercross tour, than please grow a set for you and your kids.
This is the problem with our society where everyone feels the need to tell everyone they are a winner and life will never be rude to you. On the race track there is 1 winner and 19 losers, and if you wanna be the one winner then you need to have the same desire as James Stewart, and be willing to die trying. So when you and your kids meet 5 "winner" riders and 1 "loser" rider, who doesn't have time for one autograph, your already getting more than you should ask for.
Chorus: Dido
My tea's gone cold I'm wondering why I..
got out of bed at all
The morning rain clouds up my window..
and I can't see at all
And even if I could it'd all be gray,
but your picture on my wall
It reminds me, that it's not so bad,
it's not so bad..
1st Chorus: volume gradually grows over raindrop background
2nd Chorus: full volume with beat right after "thunder" noise
[Eminem as 'Stan']
Dear Slim, I wrote but you still ain't callin
I left my cell, my pager, and my home phone at the bottom
I sent two letters back in autumn, you must not-a got him
There probably was a problem at the post office or something
Sometimes I scribble addresses too sloppy when I jot him
but anyways; ***** it, what's been up? Man how's your daughter?
My girlfriend's pregnant too, I'm bout to be a father
If I have a daughter, guess what I'ma call her?
I'ma name her Bonnie
I read about your Uncle Ronnie too I'm sorry
I had a friend kill himself over some ***** who didn't want him
I know you probably hear this everyday, but I'm your biggest fan
I even got the underground shit that you did with Skam
I got a room full of your posters and your pictures man
I like the shit you did with Ruckus too, that shit was phat
Anyways, I hope you get this man, hit me back,
just to chat, truly yours, your biggest fan
This is Stan
{Chorus: Dido
[Eminem as 'Stan']
Dear Slim, you still ain't called or wrote, I hope you have a chance
I ain't mad - I just think it's *****ED UP you don't answer fans
If you didn't wanna talk to me outside your concert
you didn't have to, but you coulda signed an autograph for Matthew
That's my little brother man, he's only six years old
We waited in the blistering cold for you,
four hours and you just said, "No."
That's pretty shitty man - you're like his *****ing idol
He wants to be just like you man, he likes you more than I do
I ain't that mad though, I just don't like being lied to
Remember when we met in Denver - you said if I'd write you
you would write back - see I'm just like you in a way
I never knew my father neither;
he used to always cheat on my mom and beat her
I can relate to what you're saying in your songs
so when I have a shitty day, I drift away and put 'em on
cause I don't really got shit else so that shit helps when I'm depressed
I even got a tattoo of your name across the chest
Sometimes I even cut myself to see how much it bleeds
It's like adrenaline, the pain is such a sudden rush for me
See everything you say is real, and I respect you cause you tell it
My girlfriend's jealous cause I talk about you 24/7
But she don't know you like I know you Slim, no one does
She don't know what it was like for people like us growin up
You gotta call me man, I'll be the biggest fan you'll ever lose
Sincerely yours, Stan -- P.S.
We should be together too
{Chorus: Dido
[Eminem as 'Stan']
Dear Mister-I'm-Too-Good-To-Call-Or-Write-My-Fans,
this'll be the last package I ever send your ass
It's been six months and still no word - I don't deserve it?
I know you got my last two letters;
I wrote the addresses on 'em perfect
So this is my cassette I'm sending you, I hope you hear it
I'm in the car right now, I'm doing 90 on the freeway
Hey Slim, I drank a fifth of vodka, you dare me to drive?
You know the song by Phil Collins, "In the Air of the Night"
about that guy who coulda saved that other guy from drowning
but didn't, then Phil saw it all, then at a show he found him?
That's kinda how this is, you coulda rescued me from drowning
Now it's too late - I'm on a 1000 downers now, I'm drowsy
and all I wanted was a lousy letter or a call
I hope you know I ripped ALL of your pictures off the wall
I love you Slim, we coulda been together, think about it
You ruined it now, I hope you can't sleep and you dream about it
And when you dream I hope you can't sleep and you SCREAM about it
I hope your conscience EATS AT YOU and you can't BREATHE without me
See Slim; {*screaming*
Shut up *****! I'm trying to talk!
Hey Slim, that's my girlfriend screamin in the trunk
but I didn't slit her throat, I just tied her up, see I ain't like you
cause if she suffocates she'll suffer more, and then she'll die too
Well, gotta go, I'm almost at the bridge now
Oh shit, I forgot, how am I supposed to send this shit out?
{Chorus: Dido
[Eminem]
Dear Stan, I meant to write you sooner but I just been busy
You said your girlfriend's pregnant now, how far along is she?
Look, I'm really flattered you would call your daughter that
and here's an autograph for your brother,
I wrote it on the Starter cap
I'm sorry I didn't see you at the show, I musta missed you
Don't think I did that shit intentionally just to diss you
But what's this shit you said about you like to cut your wrists too?
I say that shit just clowning dog,
c'mon - how *****ed up is you?
You got some issues Stan, I think you need some counseling
to help your ass from bouncing off the walls when you get down some
And what's this shit about us meant to be together?
That type of shit'll make me not want us to meet each other
I really think you and your girlfriend need each other
or maybe you just need to treat her better
I hope you get to read this letter, I just hope it reaches you in time
before you hurt yourself, I think that you'll be doin just fine
if you relax a little, I'm glad I inspire you but Stan
why are you so mad? Try to understand, that I do want you as a fan
I just don't want you to do some crazy shit
I seen this one shit on the news a couple weeks ago that made me sick
Some dude was drunk and drove his car over a bridge
and had his girlfriend in the trunk, and she was pregnant with his kid
and in the car they found a tape, but they didn't say who it was to
Come to think about, his name was.. it was you
Damn!
So gary bailey doesn't think that stewart was riding over his head. what does he know about riding anyway?
You probably should have inter-viewed T. Alessi about the crash too. Just my twelve cents.