TLD/Lucas Oil Honda Race Report: Vegas
With Wil Hahn on the sidelines nursing an injured shoulder, Cole Seely was on his own to represent the team at the supercross series finale in Las Vegas. The Dave Coombs Sr. Memorial east/west Shootout pits the very best riders from the west coast against the top riders from the east coast in a one-race, no holds barred sprint to the checkers. Cole fought hard for fifteen laps and ended the night in eleventh place.
After posting good times in qualifying and his heat race, Seely was ready to get after it in the main event. His timing off the gate was good but he got pinched off going into the first turn and was forced to file in as the pack funneled into Sam Boyd Stadium. Cole would start the race somewhere near mid-pack and move up as far as eighth at one point.
"I felt comfortable out there but I couldn't get myself to push on this track for some reason," explained Cole. "It was kind of frustrating because I definitely think I should have done better than I did."
Cole lost a few positions at around the halfway mark and couldn't get them back. He pushed all the way to the finish and crossed the line in eleventh. He had this to say about his race and the 2010 supercross season.
"Things really didn't click for me tonight. I'm a little bummed because this is really my type of track. Overall, I'm happy with the way this season has gone. I had a second place finish in San Diego and I'm going to try to improve that by one spot next year when we get back to Anaheim."
To commemorate the race, and to honor our armed forces, Troy Lee created custom US Air Force inspired helmets, and race gear worn by Cole Seely during the Las Vegas supercross. The helmet and gear were autographed by pilots of the US Air Force as well as the TLD race team. The items are now up for auction, with all of the proceeds benefitting the Nevada Military Support Alliance.
The auction will be held on eBay (item number 250627670999) and run until May 20, 2010 at 12pm PST. There is NO RESERVE on this item. You can follow this auction at: www.troyleedesigns.com/auctions.
The Troy Lee Designs / Lucas Oil / Honda team will use the next two weeks to prepare for the start of the national motocross series in Sacramento, CA. The team will include former world champion and east coast supercross champion Ben Townley, this year's runner up in the west region supercross series Wil Hahn, WMA star Tarah Gieger and Cole Seely. Be sure to stop by and say hello to the team at Hangtown.
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.
Follow the Troy Lee Designs / Lucas Oil / Honda team at www.troyleedesigns.com
