Hello race fans! What a weekend! Just when I thought I had these races figured out, I got reminded this weekend in Baltimore that anything can happen. This weekend proved to everyone that every race is unique and you never really can predict what will happen and it was so fun to watch!
It was my first time in Baltimore, Maryland, and it was a memorable weekend. I arrived on Thursday evening and got all situated in the hotel. I am finally feeling better so I knew I would have a better time during the races. The arena was right in downtown Baltimore, I am not gonna lie, I walked a couple blocks by myself to get a Starbucks and I was frightened! But I was fine. The 1st Mariner Arena had a stage at the end of the floor, when I got on it I was all excited I started spinning and leaping, it was taking me back to the my days as a Showgirl, I used to be on stage every night of my life! What a memory! The weather was fairly nice, not freezing, but very foggy.
So here we are in downtown Baltimore, Maryland on a dreary, foggy Friday night. But it really wasn’t like any other Friday; it was Friday the 13th… I was a little curious as to what, if any thing was going to happen. The doors opened at 6:30 and the people flooded in. It was an awesome crowd for Friday and they were all so into the riders. They really loved watching the races! The races decided to prove that Friday the 13 th has a different meaning and affect on people.
The Lites class was dominated by Shawn Clark, who has more than proved his racing skills this season, especially in the Lites class. He took the lead after a small battle with Jimmy Neese. It was a great race. Most of the guys that race the Lites class have a short time and then they race the AMA Arenacross class right after so they have already put in a lot of laps. In the end Shawn Clark, doing a heel clicker while crossing the finish line, received 1 st, Jimmy Neese got 2nd and Jimmy Chester came in 3rd.
Between the two mains we always do a freestyle exhibition, featuring our very own Team Faith, usually has Kevin Johnson (who also races), Rob Lewis and Willy Watts. I was surprised to only see Kevin and Rob out there jumping. Later Kevin told me that Willy got hurt last week in Dallas, I was sad to only have the two of them. But nonetheless they put on an awesome freestyle show!
Next up was the AMA Arenacross Class main, everyone was wondering who would win. Brock like last week, or was Chad recovered enough and feeling good to make his comeback, or maybe Jeff Northrop or Kevin Johnson would get their long overdue wins? The gate dropped and the race was on. There was a lot of battling going on the entire race, but Kevin Johnson got a great start and took off with it. He was out in front and running away from everyone. Brock started to come back but had some major bike problems. Jeff Northrop hit handle bars with Metz and looked a little hurt. Chad was obviously not up to par. He has been extremely sick for the last 3 weeks and just can’t get rid of it. But what an ending! Kevin Johnson received his first win ever on the Arenacross tour; he had a smile from ear to ear, just beaming with joy! Jeff Northrop got 2nd and Jimmy Neese got on the podium for the second time Friday night to get his 3rd place trophy!
After the excitement of the Friday night races, I really couldn’t wait to see what Saturday was going to have in store for us. The weather was no longer foggy but it was bitter cold, and the wind was roaring. The track was groomed to perfection, and there was a new feel to the race. No longer was it just Chad or Brock’s race, there was a new man on the block, Kevin Johnson! I actually didn’t have a promotion to do before the race so I was able to attend the Devotion ceremony put on by Team Faith, it was a wonderful ceremony! I had no idea how talented of an artist Rob Lewis was on his guitar and vocally. He played us a couple songs and I was extremely impressed!
Doors were once again open at 6:30; I was at the merchandise stand ready to sign my autographs. There was a ton of people and they wanted to get out of the cold and into their seats. Between the times the doors opened and about 7:05 my hand already hurt from signing so many autographs. Opening ceremonies went very well, I about died laughing when Kevin Johnson (last nights winner) came onto the stage and crashed. At first, I was laughing thinking he did it on purpose but then I realized how shocked he was too! It made my night, absolutely hysterical! Although it was no longer Friday the 13th Shawn Clark was feeling the bad luck! In the whoops he took a small crash and his bike would not start back up. I was sad; he is always up there on the podium with me after the Lites main event. What a tough break! It did however give someone else the chance to get up there on top of the box with me, and they did. Jimmy Neese decided not to race his 125 to save his body for the “big bike”. So I had two new faces on the podium with me, Jeremy Cook got his 1 st win and podium along with Josh Schmitt in 2 nd and Roy Horton in 3rd.
During the US Air force and Team Faith freestyle exhibition the whole crowd was on their feet. Rob and Kevin were going big, it was awesome. On the last jump Rob crashed on his landing, Kevin was right behind him. Rob didn’t get up, my heart sank, and we all watched and waited. Finally he got up and we found out that he tore up his shoulder. It was not good! But he stayed out there for the main to support his buddy Kevin Johnson.
I gave the riders there 10 second board and the gates dropped. Jimmy Neese came out strong winning the holeshot and getting a really good lead. Behind him was Brock Sellards, Jeff Northrop, Chad Johnson and Kevin Johnson. Jimmy held the lead for a while but Kevin Johnson was slowly creeping up on him. It was a race to the end. Every lap Jimmy and Kevin passed each other over and over. Not to mention Brock and Chad going at it right behind them. It was intense! Jeff’s bike broke which put him really behind. Kevin Johnson came out on top for the second night in a row. He was beaming like Friday night and at the last couple seconds of the race Brock passed Jimmy to get 2nd, and Jimmy Neese came in 3rd. This was a race to remember. The riders rode their hearts out. I loved it!
I got back to Tahoe with 4 feet of snow at my house, brrrrr! I am here till Thursday, and then we are off the Guthrie, Oklahoma! Every round I start to get a better feel of what Arenacross is really about. Like I said earlier, “Just when I think I have it all figured out, it changes.” I am really enjoying my job, the races are great to watch, everyone I work with is awesome, and most of all I am just having a really fun time. Please keep Rob Lewis and Willy Watts in your thoughts and prayers; I hate to see them hurt! So until next week, Ride hard, be safe and smile always!
XOX
Ashley
Miss Arenacross
