Hi race fans! I am just on my way home from a very chilly weekend in Albany, NY. It was round 2 of the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series, and it was once again a race you didn’t want to miss. So far this year we have already seen some of the most intense racing in the history of Arenacross.

Albany is usually a soft track that gets rutted up pretty easily. They had snow the week before we came in and the ground was still frozen, and frozen ground means frozen dirt, and frozen dirt means very wet and muddy dirt. The track guys had their work cut out for them to try and make this dirt fit for the wear and tear of Arenacross racing. I have to admit, I was excited because I like variety, it keeps the racing exciting!

Last weekend was the first weekend that we had only one night of pro racing. So the guys only had one chance to get the maximum amount of points to keep themselves in the fight for the championship. But having no racing Friday night made us available to visit the Ronald McDonald house in downtown Albany. I really enjoy being able to go and visit with the kids, it is always nice to bring a smile their faces! Some of the riders joined me; it was definitely cool to see the faces of the children light up when they saw some of their dirt bike heroes! It makes you really appreciate stuff and think of how much a smile really does mean.

Saturday came around and we were all very anxious to see what the track was going to look like. The track guys got in some dirt that was not as wet. They had been working all night to make sure it was done to perfection. There weren’t as many guys there trying to qualify but the competition was still fierce. There are so many talented riders on the tour this year. It has brought Arenacross to a new level.

It was really chilly when the sun went down and I really don’t do well in the cold! Luckily there was a Starbucks about a block away, so Robbie Reynard and I were able to get our Starbucks fix in before the races began!

The Lites class started off with a lot of excitement, the whoops section was definitely the place to watch! They were challenging the riders to change their lines almost every lap. The #68 on his MDK, Billy Jurevich, was out front for the first couple laps, but not far behind him was his teammate Tiger Lacey and “The Booty Shaker” Cory Green. It was a long main event and Billy was fading back, Cory took over and he was off. There were riders going down all over the place, making it even more difficult to maneuver around the ruts. The Rockstar Suzuki kept out of trouble and came over the checkered flag with another win! Cory Green finished out once again on top of the podium! Tiger Lacey also rode a very consistent and fast race, coming across the finish in 2nd place with his first podium of the season. Billy Jurevich was able to keep himself in the top three, after having to work his way back up through the pack. He was pumped about the hole shot because he is 185 pounds and he never thought it could happen. Just goes to show that it doesn’t matter.

During the night I was in the crowd talking with the fans and getting everyone pumped up to see the main event. Like I was saying earlier, the track was getting a little eaten up in the whoops and made it very challenging for the riders. The first heat race of the Arenacross class was very intense. The 2007 champ Danny Smith took two hard falls and sent himself into the LCQ. 

The second heat race was also a great race. Robbie Reynard had a terrible start and halfway through the race he just started ripping! He was flying past guys in the whoops, rhythm section and down the straight. He was riding with that Robbie Reynard style we all know and love. Tyler Bright and Jim Neese were also going really fast!

The LCQ had both Danny and Chad Johnson in it, as well as Cory Green and several other amazing riders. Chad got a great start and got himself into the main event. Danny, however, had a hard time with the start and then he picked it up working himself up to 3rd place. If only there was one more lap…. He was going so fast, probably the fastest lap time of the night! But he couldn’t catch Zach Ames so he didn’t qualify for the main event. It was shocking news!

The main event for the Arenacross Class was on the line and Chad Johnson was on the back row. Into the first turn it was the young Tyler Bright who came out with the hole shot and into the whoops. You could tell that he was pumped! Jim Neese passed for 2nd in the rhythm section. Robbie Reynard, Brock Sellards, Kelly Smith and Tommy Hofmaster were all bunched up together in the middle. Robbie started to break free and work his way through the pack. Brock Sellards was having a hard time keeping it on two wheels; you could tell he was frustrated! Robbie worked his way up with Tommy Hofmaster and Kelly Smith right on his rear wheel. Kelly Smith came in for the pass and stalled his bike. Robbie and Tommy took off. Robbie caught Jim Neese and passed for 2nd. Tommy Hofmaster made a couple of mistakes and gave Robbie some breathing room. They were in lappers and having to work their way around several down riders. Tyler Bright had a comfortable lead and was able to keep himself out front. For the last couple laps it looked like Robbie was going to catch him, but Tyler held him off and came across the checkered flag with his first big win of his pro career! Robbie kept his Rockstar Suzuki in 2nd for his first podium of the season. Tyler Bright’s teammate, the veteran of Arenacross Jim Neese, came across in 3rd. It was all Suzuki’s on top of the podium and they were all smiling. Tyler Bright was so thrilled he couldn’t stop smiling! It was a classic Arenacross race with tons of excitement!

We are off to Reno, Nev., my hometown, next week! I am so excited to be able to be home with my family. Reno is always a good race because the floor is big, so the track is always completely different than any other track we have. If you are around in Reno come see us at the Livestock Events Center all weekend. You will not be disappointed. It is the best racing I have seen in a while. So until then keep it on two wheels and always keep your smiles! Talk to you in Reno!

XOXO
Ashley
Miss Arenacross