Rev Up: RedBud

Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Rev Up. It’s Fourth of July weekend, which means it’s time for the annual dust up at beautiful RedBud Track and Trail. Round seven of the 2013 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship begins the second half of the series and the racing is as great as we could all hope for. Several races this year have produced four different winners in four motos, which was the case just last weekend at Southwick. So there is a huge wave of excitement leading into the weekend. Also, for pretty much the seventh consecutive race weekend, the racers and the fans are going to enjoy the fruits of weather with temperatures in the mid 80s. The Moto Gods have been generous so far this summer, and with one of the most challenging tracks in the world up next, the fireworks are set to explode. As a long time fan, I’m as pumped up about the motos to come as I can remember in a long time. And now it's time for the grand daddy of all outdoor nationals. RedBud!!! What do you say folks? Are you ready?

The iconic RedBud track plays host to round 7 of Lucas Oil Pro Motocross on Saturday.
Simon Cudby photo

Right off the bat, I have to give it up for Ryan Dungey. I suppose its not right to call him underrated because his resume is already one of the best ever, but he’s been overshadowed in 2013 by Ryan Villopoto. Dungey was able to beat him twice in supercross, but now the Red Bull KTM pilot has captured three out of the last four overalls. The “speed” we all like to talk about has increased after the break a few weeks ago, and coming into this Saturday he has to feel confident that he can win again. He has the speed, the starts and the machine to tighten the points lead again heading into another one-week break. Dungey has earned the respect and direct attention of everyone, including Villopoto. Those two have considerable leverage over everyone else, and in this division its looking like it is going to be a two-man fight all the way to the end.

The action in the 250 Class is some of the best in all of motorsports. The rookie rivalries, and four-man fight up front will be something to swing the t-shirts for all day Saturday. Who has the upper hand with these guys? Ken Roczen does. Eli Tomac has thrown in some of the fastest motos we’ve seen in a long time, but he hasn’t put together two motos yet. He still  remains a guy that can produce a skeptical eyebrow raising with a bad start, or crash. Blake Baggett is almost back to his championship form, and Marvin Musquin will rebound from a mediocre Southwick showing and return to the front. Again, the rookies are putting on a show and something tells me that Adam Cianciarulo and Cooper Webb are going to be stuck together this weekend. Maybe even in the top five.

The fans at RedBud are a staple of the series.
Simon Cudby photo

Overall, this is one of the most special weekends of the year as America celebrates our Independence Day. I consider myself very patriotic and all BBQ’s, fireworks and flag waving aside, I think we have the most beautiful and diverse country in the world. Personally speaking, I have a new family and this is our first Fourth of July together. As a father I can feel this amazing new appreciation of being an American. The chest will be puffed out pretty far tonight holding our daughter watching fireworks. I want to wish all of the new Dads, and each and every one of you a safe and special holiday weekend. It’s going to be another awesome show this Saturday. The party will be raging Friday night and will spill over into the morning sunshine of practice. You’ll be hearing it all day if you’re there and all I have to say in closing is, REDBUD!!!!!!!!

Thanks for reading, see you next week.