Tuesday Interview: AX Rookie of the Year Travis Sewell
AURORA, Ill. (Nov. 5, 2007) – Last year’s Toyota AMA Arenacross Rookie of the Year, Indiana’s Travis Sewell, is looking to improve upon his 13th place overall AMA Arenacross class finish, which included a 2nd place podium finish at the Pikeville (Ky.) round.
At Des Moines (Iowa) this past weekend Sewell didn’t quite get off to the start he’d have wished, primarily because the first time he threw a leg over his new Rusty Ott’s Pro Source-backed Suzuki RMZ-250 was at Friday’s first pro practice on the Wells Fargo Arena floor. From there Sewell got tossed into a sea of hungry Toyota AMA Arenacross Series racers and, unfortunately, wasn’t able to transfer to the main events.
But don’t count Sewell out too quickly. In fact, when we spoke with him on Monday he was on his way to friend and fellow racer Roy Horton’s private practice facility in Illinois to get in some hot laps before packing up and making the trek to Albany, N.Y., this weekend for round two of the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series at the Times Union Center.
Question: Travis, that was quite the loaded field at Des Moines. Four former Toyota AMA Arenacross Series champions in the field (Robbie Reynard, Josh Demuth, Chad Johnson and Danny Smith), guys like you and Tommy Hoffmaster didn’t even transfer to the main on Friday!
Travis Sewell: “It was not a good weekend. I just got my bike the Thursday before the race and didn’t get to ride until Friday practice. So I just wasn’t prepared. That and it’s basically a stock bike right now. We’ve got some work to do on it before Albany. But I like riding the 250 better.”
Question: You’re a RedBud local. How was it growing up at the MX Nationals’ premier track?
Travis Sewell: “It really just makes you that much better of a rider. RedBud is pretty much the toughest track in the United States, so that helps a lot.” Note: Sewell finished 21st in the Motocross class at this year’s National – his best finish there ever.
Question: Tell us about your team and sponsors this year for the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series tour.
Travis Sewell: “Well, it’s not really a team. It’s just me. Rusty Ott’s Pro Source in Morris, Ill., helps me out a lot. Then my other sponsors, along with my mom and dad, are Factory Connection, FMF, Bell, MSR, Scott, Dunlop, Decal Works, EVS, mxtime.com, Freese Discount and the rest of my family.”
Question: What’s your goals for the 2007-’08 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series season?
Travis Sewell: “My main goal is to be ready for east coast supercross, do really well in that. Hopefully get a better motor and hit it hard after the December break here in Toyota AMA Arenacross Series. Everything came together late – like the day before the race. But I’m still thankful it came together.”
Question: Final question: Who’s got the best shot at winning the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series Rookie of the Year award this year?
Travis Sewell: “I’m really not even sure who’s contending for that right now. Maybe Mike McDade (Friday’s Des Moines Lites winner). Other than that I’m not too sure. I know a lot of guys doing good already scored points last.”
Tickets for Nov. 10th Toyota AMA Arenacross at Times Union Center are available through www.arenacross.com, at the Times Union Center Ticket Office, by calling 800-30-EVENT or online at www.timesunioncenter-albany.com and at Seymour’s Suzuki. Fees and handling may apply. Discount coupons are available at Paesan’s Pizza (order in or delivery) and Albany Honda. Show times are Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday (amateurs) at 12:00. Doors open Saturday at 6:30 p.m., Sunday at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday advance tickets are $25 for Gold Circle, $18 regular seats. $2 more day of show. Kids 2-12 are $10/$25.