In The Mag, On The Web is an online feature where we take a behind-the-scenes look at one of the print features in Racer X Illustrated. Check out some more information on "The Ultimate Upgrade" by Chase Stallo.
We are less than twenty-four hours from the final motos of the 2014 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. Many stories have been made in 2014: from Ken Roczen exploding onto the 450 scene, to Ryan Dungey reeling the rookie back in to Jeremy Martin capturing his first career championship. It’s truly been a memorable season. One story that resonates with every moto fan is the tale of Swedish privateer Fredrik Noren and his plight from privateer to factory Honda rider. It’s a modern-day Cinderella story.
I first meet Noren back in 2011. It was his first year racing in the US. He spoke little English. I remember asking him questions via phone for a Racer X Online feature and him having to ask a person in the car what exactly I meant. Over the course of the next few years, I became more familiar with Noren’s unlikely journey to the US. Last summer, I got to dive into his upbringing for a small part in a much bigger feature in the October 2013 issue of Racer X Illustrated, “Roads Taken.” When Noren was brought on to fill in for Justin Barcia, we decided to do a full feature on Noren, to which he replied, “Wow, six pages! One was cool.” That’s the kind of guy Noren is—down to earth, humble, and grateful for everything. But his story is much more complex.
Read the entire “The Ultimate Upgrade" feature in the October 2014 issue of Racer X Illustrated right now or look for the cover below on newsstands to pick up the issue in person.
