The other concern is the shadows that the big Washougal evergreen trees produce. The shade is such a sharp contrast to the bright Washington sun that riders will literally be blind for a second or two until their eyes can adjust to the much darker environment. If you have ever walked from a very bright room into a pitch-black room and felt the complete blindness that ensues, you can imagine what riders are dealing with each lap in those covered sections. Many riders will use an array of tinted lenses to try to cope with the glare and reduce that scary reduction in vision. I would always grow instinctively hesitant when I dropped into the darkness, surely giving up a few seconds over the course of the race. It’s just another unique aspect of Washougal.

This weekend will also feature a 125 exhibition, which yours truly is participating in. It’s a teaser for the annual 125 Dream Race, held every September, and they upped the ante by inviting several ex-pro riders and industry members. It should be a great time and with most of us borrowing bikes from local dealers and friends, I don’t think there will be too much serious racing going. Getting everyone on a two-stroke in front of the thousands of fans should add another cool element to a race day already packed with excitement. I can’t wait to let that 125 rip up Horsepower Hill!

Who’s Hot:

Ken Roczen was white hot last weekend in Millville. He certainly let it be known that Southwick wasn’t a turning point in the series. His first two laps of the second moto were two of the best laps I have ever seen. Ever.

Jeremy Martin used his home-track familiarity to stop Cooper Webb’s win streak. They traded moto wins but standing on the top step of the podium had to feel good. Unless Coop has a disastrous weekend soon, J-Mart might be out of the title hunt but his riding is starting to come around.

Marvin Musquin was on his best form of the season. He bested Eli Tomac and looked great doing it. We are now heading into two of Marvin’s best tracks in Washougal and Unadilla, so look for Marv to be a podium fixture for a bit.

Cooper Webb may have not won Millville but he still won a moto and kept his big points lead intact. He is in firm control of this series and just needs to keep things static to bring home his first national title.

Benny Bloss is racking up the top ten finishes on his BTOSports.com-KTM-WPS ride. A last minute addition for the outdoors has paid off nicely for Forrest Butler’s team.

Alex Martin is so close to winning moto’s. He tipped over while under heavy pressure from Cooper Webb in the final stages of moto one last week and then tipped over while leading moto two on the first lap as well. If he can eliminate those costly mistakes, he will be a threat to win each week. Great summer for Alex regardless.

Andrew Short turned in his best result of the summer at Millville. Shorty has been slowly improving after missing the second half of the supercross season. This is his last go ‘round so I can’t help but cheer for one of the sport’s nicest and classiest of people.

Who’s Not:

Trey Canard rode his way to sixth overall at Millville and then promptly had another issue causing him to miss this weekend’s race at Washougal. Trey just can’t buy a break right now.

Joey Savatgy was once the odds on favorite to win this outdoor title but just seems to be struggling with his consistency and focus. He has the speed and ability but the whole package seems to be a moving target. He will win another moto before it’s over.

Broc Tickle had a nasty crash with Weston Peick that will force him out of this weekend’s action. He was in a fight for third in the series just a few weeks ago and looking like he was ready to take a big step forward. Momentum is constantly shifting in this sport. He has a couple of his good tracks to end the series so I look for him to trend back up to finish the summer.

Bold Predictions:

Vital MX’s server simultaneously explodes with the dropping of the 125 2 Stroke gate Saturday.

Marvin Musquin battles for a moto win but is out-dueled by Ken Roczen.

Cooper Webb goes 1-1.

Yamalube/Star Yamaha gets the holeshot in both motos.

My arm-pump surpasses all scientific explanation and pre-conceived limitations.

Christophe Pourcel sets the fastest lap in timed qualifying.

Weston Peick’s hand injury threatens to keep him out of racing action so in typical no-effs-given Peick style, he replaces his hand with a lobster claw and heads out for moto one.