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First practice was solid with a P27, and myself and the people I was with were thinking the track would get slower so I kind of thought I would be good with the first session time. I still tried to put a lap in the second session but didn't quite cut it and everyone got faster and I qualified one position out in 37th. Definitely learned to always send it as hard as I can every practice no matter what because you never know which will be faster. Had the odds against me in the LCQ with a full gate of 450s and a 4 lap moto but somehow managed to pull a pretty good start and made my way up to 3rd and was about to actually pull it off, I kind of couldn't believe it. Last lap in 3rd with about 6 turns to go my bike suddenly shut off and that was all she wrote for Millville. My carb ended up falling off the boot, all the clamps were tight but I'm guessing in our late night struggle it just may not have been put on quite all the way. Nobody to blame as we were just in a shitty situation but was a huge bummer to not be able to race an awesome track and I also felt really really bad for the crew that was helping me. They were bummed on the bike issue thinking they failed me but I felt it was more on me than anything for having to show up to the race so late Friday with a half-assembled bike, and then not riding good enough in practice and being 37th was 100% on me. Lessons learned but was a weekend to forget.
Made the solo road trip from Millville to Washougal to hit a track I never thought I'd have the chance to race, and figured this would be the year for me to try it out. Went to PIR on Thursday and that was another night to forget as I just couldn't figure out the whoops, but I was trying to remember I was there for Washougal and didn't want to do anything stupid to end my trip early. Saturday morning at Washougal the track was unbelievable, probably my favorite session of the year. Track wasn't too deep or wet and the layout was a blast. First practice was 27th and second practice was 28th, overall put me 31st which isn't great but happy to have learned my lesson from Millville and put in two decent sessions. The motos at Washougal were another struggle for me, ran in the 20's for a little over half the first moto and then the wheels just came off, have been struggling badly to find a flow on the rough tracks. 2nd moto ended up getting to line up next to Dungey. Told him he was a legend for the comeback and he gave me some props for ripping the 2 stroke, was definitely a cool moment! Ended up going 32-33 which is definitely not what I'm looking for but trying to keep everything in perspective and enjoy the experience because I'm obviously not in this to try to get a factory ride or anything like that so I just need to enjoy it!
Overall so far I've been happy that I've been able to qualify with the exception of the Millville heartbreaker but my riding in the motos has been absolutely terrible, some of my worst of all time. Coming from only doing local racing for about the last 8 years, the gnarly tracks have really overwhelmed me and I have not been riding even close to my potential. If my potential is 30th then I am honestly fine with that, I just know I have a ton left in the tank and would like to show it! I actually feel like I've been in a bit of a slump riding wise, even qualifying I haven't felt like I have been riding to my potential. I feel really confident in my one lap speed and I really believe If I ride like I can I should be qualifying closer to 20th instead of 30th and back. Looking forward to finally getting some practice in over the break, I have only been able to practice one time since High Point so I'm sure that isn't helping at all either. Regardless, It has been awesome hearing all the cheers around the tracks at all these races and I really appreciate all the support everyone has shown! I am making some changes in my program for the last 3 races and am very hopeful they will help me turn it around, because right now you could bet your house on me finishing 30th-40th in my motos and I'm tired of it! Thank you everyone for following along, hopefully you are enjoying the privateer 2 stroke perspective even though it is not going all that great!
Also thank you to my girlfriend for flying to Washougal to attend and help me drive home, thank you to Peters Auto Mall for helping me with a truck to get me to Millville and Washougal, thank you to Maynard Racing Performance Race Tech Suspension for providing me a great suspension setup (it's all on me now!), and a huge huge thank you to my title sponsor HBI Auto and Dean Hushon Insulation for stepping up huge for me and helping me make this all happen, I couldn't appreciate it more!! Very thankful for all the people helping me make it happen definitely could not do this without everyones support.
Great story developing, rooting for you!
Best of luck on the remaining races
I know you said you feel like you're in a slump.... sounds like a little rest and eating good would help that out. ...but I know its rough (and easy to say) with all you have on your plate.
Keep up the grind man!
Pit Row
Awesome work man, look forward to the videos every week. Have fun at budds 🤟🏼
Sunday I decided to stay for amateur day to race the pro-am to try to make a little extra cash and of course ended up having to race some of the top amateurs in the country the day after I did 2 35 minutes motos. Haiden Deegan, Daxton Bennick, and Matti Jorgensen were all in attendance trying to get their pro-am points and I thought it was a pretty cool opportunity to race all the moto winners from the 250B class at Loretta's this year even if I was a little tired. Was excited to race with them even if I got my ass kicked as it was a chance to get better and learn from the kids. Ended up racing 6 motos on Sunday and did my best to keep up with the next generation but in the end they got the best of me even though I gave them all I had. Needless to say after 2 timed practices, 2 35 minute motos, and 6 motos on Sunday I was absolutely beyond smoked and am actually still recovering.
Thank you to everyone that has been following along and everyone that has stopped by at the races to say hi! Gonna do my best to finish it out strong at Ironman and then get ready for money races in the fall!
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