Racer X Notebook: Jacksonville
Sunday, March 20, 2011 | 8:30 PM
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PrintLots of talk about the right-hand first turn causing trouble off the start, but most of the high-profile crashes took place after the start in the first rhythm lane. That section was tricky even when it wasn’t part of the start, and track builders even made a few changes to the first jump in the section between practices. What started as a regular double jump changed a bit, as a double lip was added to it. It only took a few practice laps for riders to get it down and jump it anyway, hitting the first lip and wheel tapping the second to get over the double and into the section. That rhythm lane was especially tough when the riders had to get through it together after the first turn, and that section claimed Ryan Villopoto in the heat race and James Stewart in the main event.
Stewart crashed with Ti-Lube Kawasaki's Matt Goerke, who looks to have broken his wrist in the crash. Tough year for Goerke, who was already nursing ankle injuries. Hard to put blame on anyone for the crash, as it happened when the entire pack was jumping through the section off the start.
Rumors spiraled all over regarding Stewart’s condition—everything from a broken femur, to a ruptured spleen or broken vertebrae. But his San Manuel Racing Team tweeted this morning that James will be okay and will race this weekend in Toronto.
The right-hand first turn did claim a victim in Blake Baggett, who was second in Lites East points coming into the race. According to Kawasaki’s Mike Fisher, Baggett locked up his front tire in the first turn of the LCQ, which led to a crash (riders often grab too much front brake in right hand turns because they can’t reach the back brake pedal in mid corner). Baggett didn’t qualify for the main.
Baggett was in the LCQ because he tangled with Justin Barcia in his heat race, trying a hard block pass than sent both riders down. Barcia managed to get going and qualify through the heat by finishing fifth, but was later penalized three positions for skipping the whoop section after he got up and actually passed two riders while doing so (the three positions due to passing two riders, and then losing an additional spot as a penalty). With the penalty, Barcia had a bad gate pick for the main, but he made it work and pulled the holeshot anyway.
Lost in all the missing-the-main-event commotion was Rockstar Suzuki rookie Jason Anderson. Anderson started second in his heat race and was taken out by DNA Star Racing Yamaha’s Gannon Audette. He finished 17th, then went to the LCQ and was taken down by Baggett in the first turn. He missed the main.
Dean Wilson said he was so depressed after two tough races that he took a day off, went to the ocean and just listened to the waves.
Dean Wilson (15) was happier after at least getting back on the box with a second. Not as good of a night for Blake Wharton.
Andrew Fredrickson photo
The Red Bull KTM teamed proved the power of its 350s by nailing each holeshot that they raced for. Mike Alessi nailed one in his heat and the main, and Andrew Short got one in his heat. It’s been a long time since Alessi grabbed one of his once-patented holeshots. Said Mike, “I haven’t gotten one since Hangtown last year. That’s almost a year. Longest drought of my career.” Alessi admitted arm pump got to him when he was leading races for the first time in awhile.
As strong as the starts made the 350 look, Alessi says he didn’t make any changes to his bike. In fact, he didn’t even ride a 350 all week, instead putting in laps on a stock 450. He will probably race the 450 in AMA Motocross. Short, meanwhile, also rode a 450 during the week, but has elected to stay on the 350 for AMA Motocross.
A much needed good weekend for the Dodge Motorsports Hart and Huntington Team, which placed both Ivan Tedesco and Chris Blose into top ten, with Tedesco sixth and Blose tenth. Last week Blose and Tedesco finished 18th and 19th.
On the inverse, the Muscle Milk Toyota JGR team had a terrible night. Justin Brayton crashed in his heat race and hurt his knee, then came back for the LCQ and tangled with Villopoto, missing the main himself. Davi Millsaps looked very fast in his heat race, as he was the only rider besides Stewart to triple the end of rhythm section. In the main, he was battling with Mike Alessi early, but lost the front end and crashed. Late in the race he crashed again and hit his head, taking him out of the race.
The Rockstar Suzuki Lites Team Manager and Owner Bobby Hewitt had good news regarding injured rider Ian Trettel. Over the weekend, Trettel, who is in an induced coma after a crash in Daytona, squeezed the hand of his nurse when asked to. Definitely a good sign.
Hewitt’s son Hunter, now a privateer Suzuki rider, had another good ride going in the main until a crash dropped him to ninth. Other fast riders in the Lites class has problems, including Malcolm Stewart, who went down in a first turn crash in the main and finished 20th. Blake Wharton won a heat race on his GEICO Honda and was running fourth in the main when he crashed in the whoops. Wharton was credited with 17th.
Darryn Durham returned to the scene after breaking his foot while leading the first East Lites heat race of the year. He was fast, but his endurance suffered. He finished a solid sixth in the main.
Andrew Fredrickson photo
Injured Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Jake Weimer is back on the racing scene. He has rented a place in Florida so he can ride at teammate Ryan Villopoto’s house. He has begun riding, with hopes to be back sometime around the St. Louis round in a few weeks.
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what the heck...
Holeshot!
Props to Ice trey, and I'm happy Stewart is ok. Feel bad for Goerke, i hope he heals up fast!!! Reed is going to make Ryan V. work hard to keep his point lead. Great season so far!!!!
What an unbelievable season!
Call me crazy but after watching on speed, I think the full moon had more effect than the track design!
If Canard was riding a different color bike and was not on the team that is giving Reed factory support, I believe Reed would have been a bit more aggressive for a win. Not a Chad fan, but he is smart enough to know not to bite the hand that feeds him and he doesn't seem to ride over head this season, unless #7 is in front of him. lol
I can understand RV's anger towards Boni because of the high pressure situation he's in, but after finding out JS7 was not able to finish ,that ride home had to feel a helluva lot better. Reed is 7 points back...no biggie, Reed is a lot easier than Stewart. RV should be counting his blessings for the way it ALL turned out, he wasn't badly injured (could have been worse) and JS7 DNF'ed.
Good point Ray, but after watching again im going with Canards pass back was the best of the season, he willed his way through where Reed tried to close up the gap as much as possible.
After watching the Villopoto crash in the heat - of which Weigandt says curious little about - I'm wondering why he didn't get back on the bike. It was still running and he seemed fine. Weird.
there is a bad moon on the rise. i hope 7 is ok. go 2 and go 22.
Called that one last week that Stewart would crash out! Season over and I predict Reed will hopefully be champ! He deserves it way more!
@Ray, Soundz God but Really American Honda dosent help him all tha much it's really jus Bel Ray and Pro Circuit
I wonder what happened to matt boni's bike, to make him crash in front of villopoto like that?
I've always liked James Stewart. He's such an incredible rider, no one ever rode a 125 like he did, no one. In my opinion the true test of a rider is if he can RIDE a 125. If you can't make them scream at full song, then you're not a good rider. Stewart was the best and could blow by a 250f like they had a rag in the airbox. Unfortunately, he's obviously a better rider than he is a racer. He's made some dumb mistakes over the years, but in 20 years everyone will tell their grandkids that they saw him race and how unbelievable he was. Hope he's back next week.
Why didn't RV attempt to remount his bike after his heat race crash?
Just glad JS is ok! this season has been so amazing only because all 5 of them are there, racing together!!!!
good race this weekend!! cant believe RV2 was being such a baby this weekend. my respect went down...
Dammit man, Burner wasn't use to holding speed on a right hander lol, but thats what I liked about that track, whoops, start, all different. Treys dad is once again up above looking down saying "thats my boy". You go Trey. Glad RV & Stewie are still in it, just better racing. GUYS YOU MUST GO TO YOUTUBE & search "Guy gets owned by snorlax", best laugh you'll have in 2011 I promise. Should be called "Ask and ye shall receive". Its funny. Dammit man, All Stewies gonna win this year is the band-aid stuck on me award. Dammit man.
Is there a mistake in the points? Before the main, RV had 26 points over JS. After the main, RV only has 23 points over JS. Does JS get 3 points just for starting in the main?
@ 2DamnOld2Race
I so the video last week, so funny... the fat one is like " I don't want any trouble dude" and then.. "ok, you want it you get it" lol...
"Butterbean at 11" lmao
I'm sorry that you have to be this immature to post as "picone", anyone that really knows mike he would never post stuff like this on industry pages. So please use your own name.... but you wont because your too ashamed to use it.
RV2 lost a fan this weekend. I was really disappointed in his attitude. I understand his frustration, but first of all he wouldn't of had to deal with that Guy if he would have gotten a half decent start. ESP in the lcq. I mean come on he should have pulled the holeshot in that race. Second of all the Guy didn't make him hit a tuff block and wreck for a third time. He was still acting like a bit@h to him after the lcq. Very disappointed in you RV. IF YOU WANT TO BE CHAMP ACT LIKE ONE
i think RV was a little too cokky for own good by not trying to get back on bike and trying for a transfer into the main after his heat crash....I bet he is regretting that choice..
2DamnOld2Race, thanks for the tip. i sent that to everyone i know. ha ha ha x 100,000,000,000,000 to the 10th power. I hate bullies : (
2DamnOld2Race , i saw butterbean fight live once. you are right , that might be him.
Do you think maybe Brayton was told to take Villopoto wide on the start in the LCQ so maybe James could make up some points if RV didn't make the main....things like this happen! I know that for a fact!
j, why would Brayton want to help James Stewart? They race for rival teams.
@ j
not probable beacuse Brayton was on the outside of the corner, and RV2 hit a guy on the inside who throw him towards Brayton....
@ j
In fact i just was the RV LCQ crash and it was he who took out Brayton!!!!
Mike Picone must have the most unique name on earth for no one else to be able to have the same name! No one cares about the Dade City Picone. These comments are about the real pro's.
@ 2DamnOld2Race, that little guy doesn’t have a clue what he is doing. Why would a smaller guy, who doesn’t even know how to fight, mess with a guy, who is twice his size? Personally, I would have enjoyed it much more, if the bully had been the big guy, picking on the little guy. If you freeze it at 0:24 in, you can see that both of that little punks legs are broken at the shins, from hitting that cement wall. Again, Ha ha ha x zillion.
Dont forget Dungey is back on the map.. if reed pulls the title off he will be in the record books as owner racer Champ. I thought for sure RV had this thing in the bag but as we saw no one is safe yet. 6 races remaining is a lot. I liked RV's comment tho. You can tell RV thinks he could be JS7 any day. Now thats confidence. I hope the race stays tight till the end. REED can smell a rat and you know how he gets if he sees any openings. He may start taking RV out intentionally like he did Stewart.
RV2's bike was bent up. He could not remount. Hey its not that bad he is still the points leader. He will be back with a vengeance next week. The RV2 vs Reedy battle begins but oh wait has Chad beat RV str8 up this season?
By the way even if JS7 would have won, RV2 would still be the points leader. Now thats what I call bragging rights. RV2 watched the race knowing no matter what happens he would be the points leader. No other rider has had that comfort zone
reed and rv were once teammates, i dont think he will take him out. not so with stewie.
This is a great season, Stewart's not going to win this championship. F YEAH!!!
Hey 2DamnOld2Race, here is the best fight i have seen in a while:
://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7087616443084426841#docid=4722597356450400466
Thank God Stewart is OK. There was talk in the pits last night about a possible broken back. And a good report came out on Trettle today too. We all knew this was going to be one heck of a season, and it's sure lived up to our expectations so far.
If there going to race that 350 at KTM why dont they run a two stroke 250 too because Im sure it could hang with a 350 KTM all day long at supercross.
just when I thought that RV is making less mistakes this season, things went south in a snap of a finger...
It's a bad deal for RV Park not making in the main. What I am concerned of is the effect mentally of not making into the main.. Poto would recover but the pressure and atmosphere would be totally different from previous rounds. You start to think every move you will make, and that's a good recipe for disaster, not letting yourself out in the open.
And what I am amaze of, is many is thinking that RV is out in contention. He still leads the series by 7 points... Thought not that comfortable, but guys behind him needs to figure out how to overcome that deficit...
CR22 is back on the trail again... It would be nice to pull a championship when everyone thought he had nothing on these guys this season.
The last four rounds would be mind boggling... Whoever is on top after Vegas deserves such glorious moment!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fzrELKsgxA another funny video
I cannot believe Short is sticking with the 350 for MX. The managment must be "encouraging" him to stick with it. Also, mentioning Mike Alessi riding a "stock" 450 is giving me the impression KTM is not going to put forth a full effort on the 450 and this is VERY disapointing. Mike Alessi is MX capable and their best shot at AMA 450 class success.
I hope #800 goes to the U.S.G.P. with his "stock" 450 and eats Carioli's works 350 alive. If that doesn't snap the KTM honchos out of their 350 induced mass-delusion, I suppose nothing will.
Poor RV, Made me sick to see that. I hate for that to happen to anyone. And Shorty picks the 350 for the nats!! Hmmmm
Carlsbad I am sure KTM will have a built 450 for mike. They JUST started testing for the outdoors amd most likey don't have anything for the 450 till the test and see what they want.
How about RD?? WTF!! he says I need to get up there with them... HELLO!!! they pulled away from you, YOU need to go FASTER if you want to be UP front with them!! Top two guys out.... Another GOLDEN Opportunity out the window!!!
Short "choosing" the 350 for outside.....I hope this is the case. This is going to be awesome to be able to compare Alessi to Short on the two different bikes knowing how they were doing last year when the cc's were reversed. I knew there was no way they were going to go out in the daylight with 2 450's and no 350. I bet Alessi gets at least 3 or 4 (or 8) times the number of holeshots he got last year. His results will improve just based on better starts. Maybe Shorty can pull Larocco's Leap on the 350?
BillC, I know you race or raced at one time. Is that how it worked for you, where you just decide to go faster than you were going before? I'm sure Dungey would have won if he had the speed, but he didn't. You just don't pull speed you don't have out of your ass and "will" it to be there. If that was the case, we could all be complaining about why every single guy didn't take the win. It is a race and somebody has to lose.
prediction: stewart will go on a 6 race win streak, villopoto will have another bad night and stewart will win the title in vegas. canard, villopoto, stewart, or dungey, i dont care which one wins. as long as its not that arrogant bastard Reed!!!!! i just dont have any respect for a guy who has jumped ship everytime he has been offered a nickle more and burned every bridge along the way. at the same time, talking of hanging it up until suzuki offered him big money. i have to give the guy props for following through with leaving a spot when he said he was going to although i get sick of him always playing some kind of angle and never having the manners to just go away!
Why Shorty, would you decide to go with the 350 for outdoors - WHY ????????
Note that K-Dub seem to hold back at the start and avoided the rhythm section pile-up. he was way back then he got 4th ! With his experience, I bet he knew disaster was right around the corner with that section.
I am so glad that RV and JS are still in it and RV, CR, RD, JS and TC will all be hungry for wins.
dont get me wrong, i used to be a reed fan. his antics of playing every angle in the book though, have become old. first he burns his bridges w/ l&m, then he is retiring to go race cars in australia. next, its off to suzuki where he was more successful than ever! kawasaki offers him some more money, and guess what? he leaves again. he mysteriously recovers from epstein-barr after his early exit from the 2010 outdoor. he crys that the industry has abondoned him and thats just in the last 3 years. he claims that he does it for the love of the sport, but its pretty obvious to me where his real motivation is coming from. this guy is a genuine jerk and doesnt deserve to win anymore. maybe someone (villopoto, dungey, canard,stewart) will put dirty move on him before the seasons end. perhaps this time, he will really quit for good. we can only hope!!!!!
It is good to finally see riders not be afraid to race js7. Ricky C knew the secret was to pressure him and mix it up, make him make a mistake. Riders don't shy away from him in the first turn anymore. I get sick of people talking about how Reed is so dirty towards the punk. js7 is one of the dirtiest riders I have seen since a younger Mike Lorocco. He is so fast he should never have to resort to those tactics. I just hope he settles down before he gets seriously hurt. I would love to see this kind of competition for years to come.
RV should have FINISHED the heat race, possibly making a transfer spot. A least he could have got in some practice laps and figured out some new lines. But instead he ASSUMED he would make the LCQ transfer spot. And you know what happens when you assume....you make an ASS of U & ME
Stewart is not going to be ok for next week, thats the biggest piece of bull I've ever heard. Nobody lies down for 5 minutes, leaves on a stretcher, then gets trasported to hospital and just comes back like everything is fine for next week. Its probably just a claim to keep all the nut huggers happy and keep people off his back for at least a few days about being too stupid to finish an entire series. This might force to run the outdoors though.
@BT that comment about Stewart being one of the dirtiest riders is obviously fueled by nothing but hate. James may be a little reckless at times but he is not dirty. I have NEVER seen him try to intentionally take someone out or put a dirty move on someone. He is just fast and you hate it.
I agree with Stewart not being just fine. If I had to put money on it, I would say Stewart will not race next week and might be out for a few weeks. I think they are feeding the fans this bull so they don't lose money. James Stewart is the supercross cash cow. Ticket sales will decline if Stewart is out. I wouldn't be surprised if Stewart is scratched on race day. I could be wrong but I just have that feeling.
The word from matt goerkes fiance is, that he broke his wrist and hip, but is waiting for surgery next week sometime. he is at shands in jacksonville with dr. augustine taking care of him. It sucks for matt, he was just coming back and making mains, and now this. Hope he gets well soon and comes back stronger.
As for RV2 heat race, his bike was so bent out of shape, that he couldnt continue, and the LCQ he had the holeshot, but slid out and took Justin Brayton with him. Nothing he could do to avoid Brayton. And when James Wrecked, everything happened so fast. How is it that Matt broke his hip and was able to walk off, but yet James is apprently fine and layed there for half the race? Something is wrong with the picture.
But hope to see everyone back this weekend and have a good race, and see RV2 pull it back together. and win another race.
I'm not an Alessi fan by any stretch of the imagination, but from those few laps where he actually raced and wasn't driving miss daisy, my armchair prediction points to Mike being an Outdoor championship contender barring injury. A 450 plus confidence and his insane physical conditioning all point to the antics and drama being back in 2011.
Watched the 7 crash in slow mo, and then watched him get up and off the track. James was very very quick to spring up, wave hand/feet in front as if to block any more bikes from nailing him and then grab lower back before falling to stadium floor. My point? None really other than I finally figured out how to work the pause/freeze frame/advance button on the remote. Hope #7 is okay and starts chipping away at RV's lead. I know, I know: there's always Outdoors.
@doublel; First, i do not hate js7, I just said I'm glad to see riders aren't afraid to race him and mix it up with him. Second, I stand by my opinion of his dirty riding style, I've watched him since he rode 125's. I do agree with you about the AMA treating him like a cash cow though. He's a very tough and determined young man and I would be saddened to see him pressured into racing hurt and possibly ruin his career and/or quality of life. He's worked very hard to get where he is and a lot of people depend on him. That's a heavy burden for such a young man.
B-KR RD is the one who said he needs to start up there with them all I said was he was not fast enough to run with them, they pulled away. RD needs to find some speed. RV and JS are at another level speed wise so if anyone of the other guys win it because of some reason, Yes there are night were Reed had the speed but for the most part the other 3 need speed.
B-KR also to answer your ???, YES ya can find speed when ya need it, Its called hanging it out, RD does not do that. Like I said last year ( and you slammed me for it) RD is not as fast as he results showed last year, I said he was not beating top guys and did not think he could But you knew better right?? Last year I slammed RD for not passing guys (not even top guys) and you and others said he was fine... guess whay he is NOT fine. He is getting his butt kicked every week. 11 races 0 wins and the guy CAN'T PASS!! He could be in the points lead right now if he could. He has left a LOT of points on the table this year when he was faster then guys but could not make a pass.
It would be great to see the tightness of this C'ship battle taken outdoors with an added KTM (or two). Dungey might get some of last years mojo back for MX, RV will (as usual) be strong outdoors, maybe TC can transfer some 250 magic to the 450 (little leprechan has got to be a holeshot favorite at some point), Chad's consistency will keep him close throughout and with any luck at all, the KTM's of Alessi & Short will show up to be counted among the title contenders. I'm not adding Stewart to this list considering his (their) early statements of only making the first several rounds and Saturday's ugly wreck / potential injury.
Also, it would be nice to see #7 (if at all possible) show up to the U.S.G.P. to throw a wrench in Monsters program. Could be a Red Bull convention with the Team-KTM's and Red Bull sponsored Stewart sweeping the podium. Although, Townley and (maybe) RV could be a strong argument for Monster backed riders handling their business.
Stewart might well not be back, good point. Like the thought about Windham laying back knowing carnage was ahead then finishing 4th; good insight. Seemed strange to me to RV didn't attempt to remount and if the reason was a bent bike when did he inspect it; I didn't seem him take a look at it. I think he was a bit hurt and just feeling that 26 pt. cushion a bit too much. Hope Stewarts still racing next week. WHAT A SERIES! If this sport stayed this interesting two or three years in a row it could go mainstream.
Also, props to RacerX for providing these forums, way better than the old board systems, people seem more into discussing the series rather than ragging on each other, and when someone is negative they are just ignored.
Carlsbad Short has NEVER been a title threat so this year will be no dif IMO.
I don't think K-Dub held back, Go read the open mic, He said he almost went down too.
motoracerorange.. Ha,ha... you obviously have something against Reedy.. Well.. He's past his prime, and RV2 has him in check is by far the better rider.. So no worries there... TC is also better than Reed.. And Reed did not pull off a kamikaze move on Canard? Let me guess.. Reedy knows Canard is riding a Honda.
Anyway.. RV2 had some real bad luck... He will be back this weekend and kick butt and win.
The AMA should consider changing the qualifying program back to Heats > Semi > LCQ so luck doesn't play such a part in getting into the program. Plus, more racing is better for the fans.
BillC, I don't know what yer talking about. You either have the speed or you don't, you don't just hang it out over and over and expect to win with that. RJ said he won his championships riding at 95%, and kept that 5% for afterburners when needed. The guys he was whipping for a few years were going as fast as they could, it wasn't because they didn't hang it out. MC won all those races cuz he had more speed, not because he was the only one hanging it out. He too was on another level and wasn't even going full speed. Now James hangs it out all the time, even with a 10 second lead......and sooner or later that stops working no matter who you are. Maybe Alessi, Short, Windham, Brayton, Tedesco and all just need to "hang it out"? Maybe none of them ever thought of that before? Please.
You are taking it to the extream once again b-kr, There are times RJ used that extra 5%, RD NEEDS to use it IMO. Besides last year you told me RD was just as fast as RV and JS... Where did it go?? What did goose say about RC?? It did not matter how fast he was going if I told him he needed to pick it up he always found a way to go faster. Besides Speed is all in your head, Doug Henry once told me if you can get your mind to go that fast your body will fowell. makes sence NO? Like Rc said this weekend about JS, RC said JS IS the FASTEST guy in the word because he is not scared to comit, Like in the whoop, JS goes 100% wile others don't. I am not saying RD should crash his brains out but he can go faster... If he wants to.
Hope Ian Trettel pulls thru!
BillC, where do you get the idea that dungey is holding back, and not giving it his all ? maybe the guy just isn't fast enough to beat them at this point. It's only his second year, and it's villopoto's third. I think some are expecrting too much from him, based on last year. Even though he isn't beating villopoto now, he has still accomplished way more on a 450 so far, than villopoto has. Those red number one plates look very heavy on him, but i am willing to have patience..
mxraceorange, Reed did not bolt Suzuki to ride a Kawisaki, he wasnt resigned, they went with Dungey instead. If you are going to hate on a guy, get the facts straight. I hated to see RV2 and Stewie go out like they did. And worst of all, it was neither of thems fault. And RV2 didnt get on the guys case until in the tunnel, when if you watch. Boni bumps the back of RV's bike, like he took issue of RV being pissed after the crash. He is racing for the title Boni. get out of the way..
@Snorlax, kick his little ASS when he comes back to school, and send him BACK to the hospital. Over and over again for the rest of his miserable bitcx life.
You are gonna be alright kid.
Prayers... for young Ian Trettel.
Seriously BillC, you should e-mail every rider out there and explain it to them. I don't know where you came up with what I supposedly said last year. We all saw that RV was pretty much faster last year most of the time, but who hung it out and crashed? Not Dungey. Anyway, all these dopey Pros don't realize that the reason they aren't winning is because they aren't going for it. Dungey is not on the pace RV or Stewart are. He's as fast as Canard and faster than Reed. He might have the points lead right now without a derailed chain. The problem is he is too smooth and relaxed looking for you to comprehend that he is fast. I think most decide that it isn't win or die trying. That's why some guys win the titles and others don't. For instance, MC won a lot. He had everyone covered. It really didn't matter if even Doug Henry willed his mind to beat McGrath, MC would still win back then. Doug's point was that Stewart at full tilt is as scary to him as a 125 beginner's full tilt is to him. Getting accustomed to speed is what allows anyone to go faster, but you don't pull that off mid-race just by thinking it. That takes many many laps of upping your pace so that it becomes the new comfort zone.
Oh and I might add, RV upped his pace this year....as well as his fitness level. He actually is hanging it out LESS. Conversely, Stewart has started hanging it out even more......with predictable results. I think RV and Dungey were closer last year. Stewart came into this year wanting to win every race and destroy the new young guns. He's still plenty fast, but has he ever crashed this much since RC retired? RV will be a monster outside and it isn't going to matter how much others hang it out this year.
A very intelligent assessment about dungey, BKR.
BKr I know ya can't just pick it up anytime ya want. My point is RD rode this way last year and still is. Why has K-Dub never won a Title?? It's all mental. His head tells him thats it. Wile RD is still yong history shows I am right here, This my be RD. I am not giving up on him he could still take it to the next level but the Odds are he wont. Very few do and even less do it this far into the life. RD could win another title but not without some help again unless he picks it up. You like to say he is smart and rides that way but he seems real pissed that he is not and can not win so I don't buy thats it is his plan to be safe. As for Doug He was able to beat MC, he was there. Doug's mind set is not normal and I have talked to him a lot about this stuff, He has done it and knows what it takes. I my not word it right sometimes but the fact is at this level it is a mind game.
They took that 'guy gets owned by snorlax' video away, for innappropriate content. it was only there for <24 hrs. Damn, i was gonna watch it every day, for the rest of my life. it's too funny ! L O L x 100 billion .