The Notebook: Daytona
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 | 12:10 PM
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Print- Blake Baggett was in attendance at Daytona, just hanging out and watching. The 2012 250 MX champ has gone through right-wrist surgery but has barely any movement in the wrist. “It’s pretty bad right now,” he said. Baggett doubts he’ll be back for any supercross races but says he’ll be racing Hangtown, for sure.
- Surely you saw the LCQ showdown for the final 450 transfer spot between Weston Peick and Bobby Kiniry. They flew across the finish side-by-side, and officials gave the spot to Peick based on a visual override (transponders put Kiniry ahead, but the transponder loop is at the base of the jump, not at the actual checkered flag). From what we hear, the final decision is made by the two manual backup scorers and the finish-line flagger, and all three say Peick was ahead.
- The Daytona track was gnarly. Combining supercross obstacles (triples, a dragonback, step-on-step-offs, and whoops) means riders have to use supercross-stiff suspension, which makes the motocross-like stuff—braking bumps, square-edged holes, and general chop—feel even rougher. Plus, long lap times led to a 28-minute main event. This Daytona, overall, looked to be a little more old-school compared to the more supercross-like Daytona tracks we’ve seen in past years.
Kiniry and Peick had an epic battle in the LCQ on Saturday.
Simon Cudby photo
- Not a good weekend at all for JGR Toyota Yamaha’s Justin Brayton. The Arenacross-raised racer seems to do better on traditional supercross-style tracks than outdoor stuff. Two crashes in the main led to a DNF for him. Josh Grant was back for Daytona, but only to watch. He had shoulder surgery two weeks ago and won’t be back racing until Hangtown. Kyle Chisholm, who was Grant’s injury replacement until he crashed last week in St. Louis, was also on hand. Chizz needs to have knee surgery, but it appears he doesn’t have a torn ACL. If they discover his ACL is torn once they’re inside, Chizz will be out for six months. If it’s not, he will be back for the Nationals.
- James Stewart is always fast at Daytona, and he won his heat race. So what happened after that? “In the main, I pretty much laid an egg straight-up,” said the Yoshimura Suzuki rider in a post-race video on his website. “I made a bad choice on the tire. I made a change between the heat race and the main event. It was the wrong decision, and I struggled from lap one. I tried my best, but had one crash, and a boring eighth place, pretty much. I manned up, I told the team it was my decision and it was my fault. This day and age, with everyone being so close, it comes down to setup and how you feel.”
- Working his way back into it after missing a few races with broken ribs, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer has not been happy with his sub top-ten finishes the last two weekends. He has basically told us he has nothing good to say about his races right now.
- Notables who failed to qualify in 450SX: Bobby Kiniry, Jimmy Albertson, Justin Sipes, Kyle Partridge, Cody Gilmore, Chris Blose, and Travis Sewell.
- Notables who failed to qualify in 250SX: Ricky Renner, Levi Kilbarger, Steven Clarke, Jesse Wentland, Ryan Zimmer, and Jackson Richardson.
- AG Motorsports’ Kyle Peters bounced back in Daytona with a seventh one week after failing to qualify in St. Louis. Peters, who had dropped from fifth to tenth in points, moved up two spots to eighth.
Tough night for Justin Brayton in Daytona.
Simon Cudby photo
- Initial reports have MotoSport.com/ADR Racing's Gareth Swanepoel missing at least the next three weeks after fracturing his wrist in practice in Daytona. Swaenpoel tweeted the following update yesterday: “Well good news, my wrist is not bad. It's a clean fracture and will be in a cast for 3 weeks.”
- Good weekend for Eleven10 Mods Yamaha in Daytona, as they put both riders into the main for the first time in 2013. Recently signed PJ Larsen gutted out a thirteenth following a bad start, while rookie Brady Kiesel finished sixteenth in his first career main event.
- Maykers/Witts End Racing’s Zack Freeberg told Racer X Online last week that he wanted to “consistently be inside the top ten.” The Florida native, who had zero top-tens previous to Daytona, took advantage of the home-state conditions and secured his first career top-ten with an eighth in Daytona.
- Besides Kiniry, the Tough Break of the Night goes to … Jimmy Decotis. The rippa from Peabody, Massachusetts, looked primed for his best finish of the season as he fought his way into a top-ten position early. He also finished an impressive third in his heat race. But Decotis would later fall victim to the treacherous Daytona soil, falling down in an awkward spot which made it hard to pick up his bike. He eventually finished the night twelfth.
- BTOSports KTM’s Matt Goerke was ripping in Daytona last year and nearly had a top-five finish until a late mistake. He has been riding even better this year, so a strong Daytona finish seemed inevitable—but a crash knocked him back to twelfth.
- Yes, it’s one and done for Ken Roczen in the 450 class, as he will park his 350 now. “I wish I could do one of the regular ones,” said Roczen, who wants a shot at a traditional supercross track to capitalize on his strong riding at Daytona. Maybe next year?
- Well look at that. Phil Nicoletti found every way possible to not make 450 mains early in the year, and only made his first last week in St. Louis. But in Daytona, the N-Fab Ti-Lube Yamaha rider made it again. But he was also feeling the effects of his big crash in last week’s main, and said it was only 50-50 if he would even ride at all. In pain, he pulled off in the main and finished nineteenth.
Jeremy Martin celebrates his first career podium.
Simon Cudby photo
- Rookie Watch #1: It was a career night for MyPlash/Metal Mulisha Star Racing Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin, who has been on a tear since missing the main in Dallas. The rookie secured his first career podium in Daytona, and has yet to finish outside the top five since Dallas. Martin now rides and trains with Ryan Dungey down at Ricky Carmichael’s farm, and no doubt that work is paying off, as he looked strong in the rough Daytona main.
- Rookie Watch #2: The hits just keep coming from Zach Bell. The GEICO Honda rider went down early after getting tangled with Dean Wilson and then washed out in a corner later in the race leading to an 18th place finish.
- Rookie Watch #3: Another quite solid night from Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Justin Hill. The younger brother of RCH Racing’s Josh would finish sixth in his inaugural trip to Daytona—his third top-ten of the season.
- Rookie Watch #4: Privateer Mitchell Oldenburg continues to far exceed preseason expectations. The rookie matched a career-high eleventh in Daytona, after losing a late bid for a top ten to Cole Thompson, Vince Friese, and Zack Freeberg.
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RE: Kiniry and Peick.
Why in the world during the transponder age do we rely on the human eye to call this
photo finish? I had some friends in the garage watching the event. They are die hard Nascar fans and couldn't believe this happened when the electric scoring called out
the finish went to Kiniry. Put the pick up wire at the right location.
Nooooooooooooo, it was the tyre. Didn`t he originally say he tried a different suspension setting? Or was it his bum knee? Jeez, I'm getting confussed with all the different excuses. I liked the knee one best personally.
Come on JS, pick one and stick with it.
@LarryWitmer, you'd think that was a given, right? Seems logic isn't Feld's strong point.
Kiniry got robbed Big time,
@ biker143 .... Agreed. The photo in the Daytona gallery makes it pretty evident Kiniry was ahead like the transponder called it.
Preston & Pipicock, please stop smoking "that stuff", its bad for the brain.
@Preston. I agreed with everything you said, except, I think he might win another race. Yes, I'll take the bet. You say he won't win another race, I say he will. You're on.
I think you haven't watched this sport in the last few years to say he can't win another race. If anyone can beat RV he can. RV's corner speed is ridiculous. No one can match it. My man RD5 could do it if someone punched him in is face before the race and piss him off. Thats ok, he will take the podium anyday. He will be there when RV implodes!!
it was definitely Alessi
The data suggests that the transponders are recording lap times to the nearest millisecond. Why are they using the human eye for decisions when they already have measurement equipment in place with that precision?
Either move the finish line to the transponder receiver location or move the receiver to the finish line. If they have to make the official finish line the base of the jump, so be it. As long as they make it clear where the finish is measured, there is no way to argue a result. It will cost them $0 to remove human error from the equation.
Before it is brought up, yes, they would have to standardize the transponder location on the bike. Very easy to measure and regulate if an issue were to arise.
At their level, every little thing matters. If the tire choice was the incorrect choice, you're going to suffer and I think JS7 did that.
@pippidekok, definitely think he will win another race!
@Preston, you're an idiot. Based on everything you just said, we can all conclude that you have never raced before.
pipikook- If JS is so washed up then what about all the dudes that finish(ed) behind him??Seems like they all had some kind of excuse, too, yet you insist on targeting the 7 EVERY time.
You should get some new material cuz the JS schtick is getting old. I'm a little embarrassed for you.
At least we are off the Flags and Red Light problems.. now bring on the transponder. But this one does seem like an easy fix. Kinda like using good dirt.
@PEPP...Feld does not promote the Daytona SX event. It is run by the
Speedway. Feld does all the other events per AMA / FIM specs. This is an
AMA issue to call or over ride the electronic timing.
motomofobro haha! I know, right?
@Preston. Sarcasim???????? Don't weasel out of your bet now dude. I called you out, and when JS flukes another one I want my $1,000,000, or I'm sending the heavies to get my loot. You got that sucker?
Got to love the double standard...when Stewart openly admits that he f*cked up and went with the wrong tire on his own - its just an excuse because trufuly he just sucks which his heat race clearly showed...but when Reed says the same thing for 9 weeks in a row, he is still a hero who just " tells it like it is ".......Right, tires make no difference for these guys. That is why they change them back and forth so often....or maybe its just because the Dunlop guys need something to do
*truthfully
Do you mean to tell me Preston is in an argument over STEWART.. NO Way??? LOL!!!!
I think the use of a transponder should negate the use of human eye.. Why would the transponder be at the bast of the jump anyways???
I definitely don't want to turn transponders into an issue here. It only comes up once a year with Weston Peick (haha). The issue has nothing to do with the promoter; transponders are never used to determine official finish position.
I only mentioned it because it is such an easy, free fix to remove the issue.
Rookie watch #1 Jeremy Martin. Love it! Hopefully Alex will be back for Indianapolis!!!!!!!!!
The track map is out on supercross.com...C'Mon Racer X--get it posted.. Has a good long sand section too..
@Preston-Man, between the wrist injury, the rain, the bobcat issue, and a crappy track to boot, I'm startin' to feel sorry for you! Sounds like things can only go up from here!!
People praising the track/dirt need to remember that this is the only track of the season without plywood/concrete under the surface.
Did I blink during the 250 main? What happened to Faith?
I couldnt help but chuckle when the great DAYTONA SUPERCROSS resorted to calling the winner by eye. Wait, what?? Did they really mean someone watching a fricken blur of bikes flying by, or human was going to review the replay? Sad if its the first not the later.
What I don't understand is: Why don't they have a high-speed video camera aimed at the finish line? They're not that expensive, and that's what almost all finish line type sports now use (NASCAR, horse racing, track and field, ...). I trust a visual (video) far more than a transponder. Just review the tape, post the frame where the winner's tire touches the finish line, and be done with it.
I haven't seen a single photo with proof of who won (if anyone has a link, please post it). It needs to be aligned with the finish line, or it's worthless.
Boy, Preston is sensitive today.
I understand though Preston, you're mad cause RV won again and you have to spend a whole week trying to put him down and making excuses for everyone else.
RV keeps you busy that's for sure.
@LastBikeRM250. I agree that it can be that simple. It would be an improvement over what is currently used and would eliminate 99.99% of issues. There are a couple reasons that I don't think it should or would be incorporated in MX/SX.
First: Visual evidence, even with the high tech cameras and lasers that are out there today, is 100+ yr old technology. It results in a picture that is interpreted by humans. Why introduce something new that is so outdated?
Second: They already have electronic timing that has a precision level to one millisecond. They are currently using that system in an official race capacity by taking qualifying times from it. It would take no cost or effort to use the same system to document official finish position.
If I have to choose between a person or a computer in this situation, I will take the computer.
One other comment, transponders are tough to mount to people or horses, video evidence makes sense in those cases. I don't follow nascar but if they do use video evidence for official results, I would assume it is because having a standardized location that wouldn't be moved in racing/crashes is tough.
Minnesota-born riders in 2 out of the 4 Rookie Watches. I don't get to the D23 sanction meetings anymore, or I could tell their parents congratulations. Not sure if Oldenburgs still run the Cambridge races.
Sorry to to interrupt this week's flag-gate; transponder-gate.
MX Bob. It is great seeing so many MN riders doing well.
I didn't intend to start transponder-gate. Just wanted to point out that they already have the system in place to eliminate the issue..
I think if Feld decided they were going to give $50 to every person who had an AMA membership, there would be a "money-gate" between posters angry that everyone got even pay even though their favorite rider won and others had a bad night.
@LarryWitmer. Just noticed that your first post here said the same thing that I have been beating to death. I usually read the article then post w/o reading comments. You were far more succinct. I will shut my pie-hole.
MX Bob Mitchell Oldenburg's parents bought Oak Hill Race track and now lives in Alvard, Tx, just out side of Decatuer, from what I was told..This past winter, I watched him race an arenacross at the Lazy E in Guthrie, Ok he was flying taking the pro class win...He seems to be on the right track!!
@MNfan - I wasn't singling you out about the transponder thing, at all, just a general comment. Every week there's some subject that gets beaten down, and you have people who no matter what the subject is, they somehow work their agenda into the thread. It's kind of sad how negative some guys always are. They must be very unhappy with their lives.
I'm getting excited about being at the Metrodome (I choose to ignore the new name) next month. Still wish they had the day qualifiers instead of the timing. It was easier to see how the local guys trying to make the show were doing.
@MXBob. No problem. I didn't think you were singling me out. I just feel stupid for getting drawn into the topic of the week.
We need to enjoy the "Metrodome" race (what's wrong with MOA field? haha)! I think it will be 2017 before we have a chance at another race in the cities.
With James, the question is with all the testing and data, and the admitted inability to give input setting up a bike......why did YOU make the call to slap a different tire on there, one that was such a radical change that it completely was unrideable???? Was it a hard pack tire? Was it a trials tire? It is a lot easier to ride the wrong tire choice on soft terrain than the wrong tire on hard pack. Did he also request 30 psi or maybe he went with 2.5 psi?
Transponders and finish lines: what MNfan said is exactly how I feel. How incompetent can the AMA be? The officials should ONLY decide the finishing order if the transponder system FAILS, and that should be backed up by video that is precisely aligned with an anti-parallax view along the finish line to a hash mark on the opposite side of the track, to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that their decision was based on FACTS, not what some fat guy said.
As for Preston...what Persona said.
And finally, let me say this. James Stewart can sure ride a motorcycle, can't he? Sure he can...but one thing for sure at which he TOTALLY LAGS is tire selection. I remember the rangoon selecting a freakin' SAND TIRE for the hardpack of Las Vegas, then spinning like a big dog across the tops of the caliche whoops since only one knob ever made contact, and eating massive chitterlings in those whoops. Then, in Florida, what did he do? I wasn't there, but let me guess. He used a hardpack tire in Florida sand. That is the worst decision you can make, because in sand, a sand tire is EVERYTHING.
Let me put it this way. I lapped a certain former national champ from Georgia at a track that had nice, tacky soil in one state, and when I went down to his area, where it was sandy, I still had a hardpack tire on my bike, and he lapped me! Look at the tremendous difference, just because of tires!
So James. Use sand tires in sand. Use hardpack tires in hardpack. There. I just revolutionized your racing program. You owe all future success to me.
How hard would it be to put the transponder detecting wire where the finish line is, or vice versa???