TLD/Lucas Oil Honda Race Report: SLC

Troy Lee Designs / Lucas Oil / Honda rider Wil Hahn battled cold, rain, snow and an injured shoulder in Utah and still finished third when the checkers flew. That podium spot was good enough to put Wil second in the series championship, an impressive accomplishment for Hahn and his team. Cole Seely looked good put crashed on the opening lap and had to work his way up from the very back of the pack. He would end up eleventh on the night and seventh overall in the series.

Wil crashed on Thursday and was still nursing a badly separated left shoulder. Still, with a mathematical shot at the title, nothing was going to keep him from racing. The main event opened up with a holeshot by Wil Hahn. After struggling with his starts early in the year, Wil has snagged two of the last three main event holeshots in the series. He led the opening lap and then dropped into second where he spent most of the main event. He wasn't sure how his shoulder would feel during the race and on lap eight he started to feel it.

"I wasn't able to charge the way I wanted to out there but the first half of the race I could at least hit my lines and feel like I was riding okay," said Hahn. "After eight laps it got really tired and I could barely hold my arm up. I had to lean my head to the side to pull a tear-off. It was bad."

Despite the pain and fatigue, Wil hung on to the end and only lost one spot late in the race. It was probably one of the grittiest rides of the series for the young Mr. Hahn.

Cole Seely looked good in his heat race and was prepared to fight for a win in Utah. Unfortunately, Cole lost his front end while trying to make a pass on the opening lap. The fall would put him at the back of the pack and leave him with a lot of work to do.

"I actually felt good and I think I could have made it up a little further," explained Seely after finishing eleventh. "A few laps in I missed a shift and hit the triple in first gear. It was so sketchy. I didn't even come close to making it. Somehow I saved it but I smashed my face into the bars and I thought for sure I broke my nose. It took me a while to collect myself after that. Hopefully I can turn things back around in Vegas before we head outdoors."

Wil Hahn is going to make a decision later in the week if he will race in Las Vegas or not. His shoulder is still very sore and if he feels it is in his best interest to sit out to be ready for Hangtown then he may be watching in Nevada. Cole, on the other hand, will come out swinging in Las Vegas looking to shoot down the very best from both coasts in the Dave Coombs Sr. east/west shootout.

The Troy Lee Designs Lucas Oil Honda race team would like to thank all of the companies that have supported our racing efforts over the years. They include Lucas Oil, American Honda, Red Bull, PPG, Wings for Life, Alpinestars, Avia, Couts Heating and Cooling, Dunlop, Epic Action Video Cam, Leatt Brace, McQueen Racing, Oakley, Pacific Collision, Pro Circuit, Rossignol, Santa Cruz, Selle Italia, Skullcandy, All Sport Dynamics, Cycra, Fasthouse, Flexfit, Hinson Clutch, Hot Wheels, Kahne Racing, Light Speed, Muc-Off, N Style, Nameplate, ODI, Primm, QTM, Renthal, RK Chain, Excel, Twin Air, Vasser Racing and VP Racing.