"Field of Dreams" moments.... did I really just race with Stanton and Henry at Daytona?!?!

We spend a lot of time nitpicking our sport on this forum, so I'd like to balance it out a little with something I'll remember for the rest of my life. I just had the incredible experience of racing the Daytona Vintage SX yesterday, and ended up sharing motos with both Jeff Stanton and Doug Henry (on an adapted bike).

Henry was right ahead of me off the start of my second moto in our "Warrior" class for military and first responders, and it was entirely surreal seeing that name and number 19 as I tried to chase him around the track. He tipped over on lap two but I'm pretty sure he was going to check out on me up until that point.

I ran a vintage class on my 93 CR 125 and we gated with the Evo 2 class where Jeff Stanton was riding his YZ 100. He also checked out on me, but I felt like I learned a lot just being behind him for a little while and seeing the lines he takes and how he rails corners.

After those two motos, I went back to my pit, took my helmet off, and almost went into a daze. I've been dorking out on moto since the 80s, and I have to admit the emotions of racing with those two legends was almost overwhelming for me.

Todd DeHoop was there ripping on an 86 CR in full Bailey kit as well - I didn't get track time with him, but when he saw my HoT replica graphics while we were waiting for practice, he came over and sort of laughed and said he had "a couple of those" at home. I don't see how any other sport could offer such an experience to an average Joe like myself, and I can't express how cool it is for legends like this to support these events.

For any of you vintage enthusiasts considering DVSX in the future, the vintage day is a sweet experience. The track is tamed to the point where it is basically a small, tight motocross track. The whoops are gone, gaps filled in, the dirt was perfect, and by Tuesday the crowds have dwindled and plenty of good pit spaces are available. It would be awesome to see this event grow, I certainly hope to go back again!

To close out, I want to sincerely thank Tim Cotter, DC and MX Sports for adding the "Warrior" class to the vintage day program. We had 23 riders from 10 states, and one of the larger classes of the day. On behalf of us racers and the Veteran's MX Foundation, thank you MX Sports!!