by Steve Dye
10 Things to Watch For at RedBud
Friday, July 1, 2011 | 3:20 PM
Atlas Brace Technologies was founded in 2011 and is the home of the first racer designed, racer tested next generation neck brace, the Atlas Brace™. The Atlas Brace™ was uniquely designed and engineered to be only of the highest level of safety, comfort, mobility, and forward thinking ideas.
Tweet
Advertisement | Advertise with Us
Share
Comment
Email
Print
10. FIREWORKS: It looks like Mother Nature is bringing her own pyrotechnics to the Fourth of July weekend. Even as this is typed out, Guy B is posting photos of big lightning strikes over the skies of Buchanan, Michigan. The RedBud track is normally smooth and fast – albeit littered with huge jumps – and sweeping momentum is key to fast lap times. At last year's race at the venue, some slightly overzealous track prep turned the turn below LaRocco's Leap into a maze of ruts that kept most 250 riders from attempting the monster uphill triple. With amateurs unleashed on a muddy track today, how will conditions be tomorrow?
9. PC VS FC: RedBud was the site where Pro Circuit's season sweep ended one year ago, with Trey Canard starting the run that would eventually deliver the title to the Factory Connection truck. Thus far this season, the PC riders have been unbeatable, and Blake Baggett is doubtless determined to put a stop to his "one week on, one week off" roller coaster ride. Teammate Dean Wilson wears the red plate, but is still looking for his first overall win of the season. It's Canard's 4-1 for his first ever overall that sticks in most minds, but a slightly more fogged memory from last season's RedBud is Wilson also beating out the then-points leader Christophe Pourcel's 1-5 with a 3-2 for second overall. This year, like last, Pro Circuit comes into the race with a stranglehold on the top three placings in the points. Can Factory Connection begin to eat into that lead again? Can Wilson get his first win? Can Tyla Rattray rebound and retake the red plate? Can Baggett shrug off his previous pattern and add another overall? Will the outdoor notes on indoor champion Broc Tickle keep hitting the cutting room floor?
Can Baggett and crew keep the PC streak alive?
Photo: Garth Milan
8. WIL WILL RIDE: Back to buttress the Honda 250 effort is Wil Hahn. When the supercross season opened, Hahn was front and center on the radar as a possible favorite for the West Region Lites title. Alas, following a brutal practice crash at the very first round, instead of eventually trying on a championship crown for size Hahn wound up being fitted for a back brace. Then, after letting vertebrae heal, Hahn crashed again while practicing in Texas and suffered a broken shoulder blade along with rib injuries. Now all healed up and reportedly going very fast at the practice track, Hahn is finally ready to make his Factory Connection debut at RedBud – and claims to be ready to run up front.
7. ANOTHER OUTING FOR ALBERTSON: Like Hahn, Jimmy Albertson had been out since the supercross season opening practice sessions at Anaheim. Albertson deemed his season debut at Lakewood "a warm-up" ride, and a 12-12 is a pretty strong initial outing for our returned expatriate GP entry. Jimmy is riding a Merge Racing backed privateer Honda with a little help from his friend, the idled-by-injury Factory Honda rider Trey Canard. With Kevin Windham now confirmed as "in" full time – and thus technically no longer a fill-in rider – and Josh Grant's knees, plural, perhaps iffy... maybe Albertson could wind up being Team Honda's fill-in fill-in. Hell, he's probably already riding Canard's practice bike.
6. MOTOCONCEPTS MUSICAL CHAIRS: Since the "so backwards it's forwards" Yamaha 450 debuted, its performance has been polarizing. Some point to more positive results in the GP scene, while others decry perceived shortcomings – width, weight, and poor starts, to name just a few of the criticisms. Last week's privateer hero Jake Canada will provide the latest litmus test at RedBud. Lakewood was a good news bad news stop for Mike Genova's team, with Tommy Hahn riding to a strong sixth overall for the squad's best result of the season the good and Kyle Chisholm’s realization that things aren't getting any better the bad. With the failed Christophe Pourcel experiment tabled and Chisholm electing to put his season on the shelf for a few weeks – hoping that his supercross injuries will further abate – team manager David Vuillemin has drafted Canada and Ben LaMay to go into battle alongside Hahn. Will their results improve on the blue bikes? Or not? It might be a little unreasonable to expect Canada – who posted a very impressive ninth overall on a privateer Kawasaki at Lakewood – to climb higher into the stacked field of 450s, but if his results suffer it'll only add fuel to the fire.
Hahn has some new running mates this weekend.
Photo: Garth Milan
5. VET PRO CLASS: With John Dowd's name appearing on the pre-entry list, it looked as though Kevin Windham's old man onus would be lifted for round six. Dowd had planned on racing as many as four rounds of the outdoor series and holding on to that permanent number for another season. The latest updates seem to indicate that we'll have to wait for Millville to see the decidedly plus-40 class Dowdy take it to the kids. Windham said after Lakewood that he was all in for seven more rounds, and that he was just looking for another five seconds... as in five seconds a lap that separates him from the three riders in the lead pack. After strong rides thus far, including last week’s 4-4 at Lakewood, let’s just assume that K-Dub’s self-depreciation is none too serious.
4. TWO-WAY STREET: Last year's RedBud race was like a microcosm of Ryan Dungey's season – then on a much smoother cruise to the number one plate. In the first moto, a race-long three-way battle finally culminated when leader Ben Townley crashed, taking down the second of two challengers, Chad Reed, in the process. Dungey was sandwiched between Townley and Reed when the incident occurred, but RD emerged untouched and unscathed. First place takes down third place, and second place goes right through the carnage for first. Everything went RD's way in 2010, including the second RedBud moto, which Dungey won going away for his fourth straight overall after shrugging off the early challenge of Andrew Short. Now on a bumpier road in an altogether tougher season, he's working on a streak of one straight win.
3. REED'S REBOUND?: It's been pretty quiet in the usually media/fan friendly Chad Reed camp since Lakewood... no twitters, tweets, or information stream. When that happened during the supercross season, it seemed to mean Reed was putting in the mid-week work and getting ready to come out swinging. Further, as mentioned above, Reed was right in the mix at last year's race. His first moto win at the Hangtown opener notwithstanding, Reed's ride for two second-place moto finishes at RedBud was arguably his strongest showing in that abbreviated 2010 season. Chad also took second overall at the same venue another year previous, behind Josh Grant's 2009 victory. Can he add another moto or overall win at RedBud – and more important, protect his points lead?
Can Fiolek keep her hold on the red plate?
Photo: Garth Milan
2. HOME-STATE HEROINE: A year ago at RedBud the then-defending champion and Michigan native Ashley Fiolek put her Honda Red Bull Racing machine on top for the first time in 2010 – the local girl rising to the occasion and posting a 1-1 to eventual title-winner Jessica Patterson's 2-2. This year is different: Fiolek comes into the contest holding a slight points advantage, 135-133, after taking over in Texas when Patterson’s fall and stall cost her the lead. Can Fiolek again meet the challenge and put that red, white, and blue bike on top of the Fourth of July podium?
1. SCHEDULE SWAP: As an accommodation to the network television showing of the RedBud race on NBC, the 450 and 250 motos have had their order reversed to the old-school paradigm of small bores first and big bikes last. The 250 first moto will run at 1 PM eastern time (gate drop at about 10 minutes after the hour) with the first 450 moto to follow an hour later, with both shown live on Fuel TV and Allisports.com. The NBC broadcast will go live at 5 PM eastern with the second 450 moto. So, if you're watching at home, the second 250 moto (shown at 9 PM on Speed) will still be at the end of the day. But in real time, it's the big bikes on the rougher track. Somewhere trackside, local hero Iron Mike LaRocco will nod with approval.
Did you like this article?
Check out HIGH/LOW
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
Each of the five major manufacturers had its ups and downs during the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross campaign. Page 118.
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
I like to see more aggresion, CR is too easy on these guys, you know if it was JS he would fight a lot harder for his spot.
11. Tomac will come alive this round. Stamp it.
Pao, you're dumb.
Good luck to LaMay!
That is all.
Has Reed ever battled Stewart outdoors? They're both SX specialists, so I know they've battled plenty indoors...
This was rough to read. Through the haze of what I can only describe as crimes against syntax I could barley make out what was attempting to be said.
Anyway, at least people aren't calling it "Lucas Leap" this year.
Lord, please let Tomac come alive this round.
"...what was attempting to be said."
I'm not sure that makes any sense, Chuck.
OK, that's enough posting for now.
Watch out for the mookster on that 139 to improve on his 7th place!! Kids got "it" I think Reed will have a big mishap and poto takes over the points for good!! Oh and Vince friese too 5
REDBUD!!!!! Can't wait... and 450's running second, like they should, awesome. The rain will make the grass even greener, and the REDBUD painted on the side of the tabletop even brighter.
Check your facts before posting- amateurs did not race on pro track today due to weather.
less than 24hrs......
Stewart an indoors specialist? last i checked the last time he had the balls to show up he went undefeated for 24 motos? Carmichael and Stewart are the only 2 to ever do that and it will never be done again.
actually james rode unadilla last year, got third in the first moto, realized he wasn't going to get picked for the des nations, and went back home.
"Stewart an indoors specialist?"
Yes. I think Carmichael's considered an outdoor specialist, but he still had several supercross titles. RC was faster than anyone outside, JS was faster than anyone inside.
@MXDarren truth is the MXD team was picked before he got his 3rd...... Just sayin
yes I am well aware of that but he announced he was racing unadilla before the team got picked. Between that and getting beat by Dunge-Bob Yellowpants and MX Panda he didn't care...Just sayin
my pick is moto-poto in the 450s and sandbaggin baggett in the 250s this weekend. or maybe if he can win southwick we can call him sandbaggett?
@ whoops_blitzer
Reed & Stewart didn't battle, more like stewart schooling him
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o0aHp6HezQ
@Stephen harness, really? I think Poopster will have a big mishap and Wilson will keep his lead.
Can we say wet muddy conditions and Kevin Windham for a moto win this weekend in the same sentence? Oh wait I already did!
@modz - Haha. I've heard about that move plenty of times, but I've never actually seen it. Amazing how easy he made it look.
Is Reed really that much faster outdoors today than he was back then?
@czmark - I'm surprised you didn't also work '300lb. woman' into that sentence.
Anybody know how Ben Townley is doing? And yes welcome back Wil Hahn!! And whats the story on Pourcel? Retired? Quit? Moved to Haines City? Happy July 4th to all!!!
Bill C sucks sooo bad.
@Whoops Blitzer, I cant use it to many times! It gets joemotcross way to excited! !
IZZI!! Lets go! Stay up.
@matt821, Townley is taking some time away from racing to recoup. All those injuries are not allowing him to ride at the level he wants, so he said. Pourcel is on the CLS ProCircuit bike in Europe.
For the people who say If only JS was out their this would happen or so you have no right to say anything like that. The guy is a chicken for not racing out doors, you can not concider the guy the best or fastest in the world if he doesnt race both seasonal venues. Look at reed took 2yrs off out doors comes back swinging in 09 for a title then next yr had body problems and now back out their kickin butt at 29yrs old Stewert is 24 and cant handle doing both. And for who ever said last time he had the balls to race out doors he swept every moto thats bull cause last time he raced out doors he got beat straight up by dungey and desall from the other country and he pulled out second moto
@ Modz, thanks for the link. Looks like James stuck it to him.
@izz132 - what the previuos poster was referring to is the last time JS raced a full schedule he swept it. In 2008 he cleaned house. That was his last full season. Last years race your referring to when he came back and pulled out the 2nd moto is was mid season for one race after his wrist surgery. That really doesn't count as he just went to the race to bascially see where he was health and fitness wise after rehab.
Stewart can handle doing both just fine if he wanted too, are you kidding me? Does he have the desire is the question. Everyone has different motives and unless you're right there with him and knowing what's going on his his day to day life and decisions you just don't know. Maybe the doc informed him if he takes another bad header like he has in the past outdoors his racing days are done. Maybe he's saving his career where the money is in supercross while he can. Maybe we're all full of $hit and have no idea what were talking about...
Thank goodness this hasn't turned into a JS7 thread.
Anyway, a severe thunderstorm is forecast for tomorrow afternoon, could be interesting. Windam, Reed, Dungey.
Thanks czmark for the update!!
heck yea Dungey willl be a Beast at this track.....
My pick on 450's is reed. he will go 1-1. If not reedy its Dungey but no Rv. Alessi was good here before so who knows. 250 is all about Styla. Rattray is a beast at this track.
@izzi132
"...last time (Stewart) raced out doors he got beat straight up by dungey and desall from the other country and he pulled out second moto."
He certainly wasn't going to catch Dungey, but he opened up a bit of a gap on Desalle before he tipped it over in a corner and let him back by. No biggie. And thanks for reporting Desalle's nationality as "the other country." I needed a good laugh.
For the record, I'm also glad this didn't turn into a JS7 thread. Hate that guy.
If rc raced the 2008 season js would not have had an undefeated season. And speaking of Stewart and reed. I am not a reed fan but if js7 didn't ride out of control this super cross season and take reed out while crashing reed would have been champ. I am truly disappointed in js for not racing the outdoors. I think he has too many things going on and doesn't really care about the outdoors. It's a pity. I wish he did. The more talented riders we have the better the racing. I hope he realizes this and does do the series next year
JS is roosting in the hen house with the other chickens.
Baggett is the man in the 250 class no one close to him.
Will RV wake up soon and dominate both motos?
Thanks TV for your great coverage of battles for 7th 8th and 9th places that
are getting lapped.
stop talking about Stewart he's not racing so he doesn't deserve the attention
Red Bud "smooth and fast"? Fast...yes. Smooth...???? Have you ever actually ridden Red Bud?
@Dan - I was really disappointed that Stewart knocked Reed off the track, since it pretty much guaranteed Villopoto a title (and if it was on purpose, I probably would've dropped JS like the bad habit he is). Looking back, though, it was the perfect retribution--some might even call it karma at work--for what Reed did to him at Atlanta.
Stewart had a very up-and-down year, but it all started that round with a move that, in my opinion and the opinion of many others, was not cool.
Okay, Red Bud's on. See ya.