06-22-08 -
Homestead Miami Speedway
Best weekend to date!!
We all fought with a pretty greasy track on Saturday during practice. I spent the day making small changes to the bike and got it to a point that I felt confident in it. Near the end of the day I topped the time sheets with the best lap of the day! It certainly feels good leaving the track on Saturday knowing that it was a job well done. Mentally I was flying high, but physically I was in the dumps. I fought a stomach bug all weekend and was left feeling run down and dehydrated. At least the facilities at Homestead are quite good!
In GTO I got a good start from the second row and thought I had the
holeshot until Marco Martinez came by me on the outside and chopped my
nose into turn 2. I've got to give him credit there, I did not expect it
at all. He was on a new tire and feeling confident. Though I was stuck
on throw away tires all weekend, I pushed myself hard and was able to be
competitive. In some areas I was all over him, but couldn't find a way
around. On the second lap a curb knocked off my left knee puck. Not
being able to use my knee as a gauge for lean angle is extremely
distracting and I made a number of mistakes, nearly losing it a few
times when the peg unloaded the rear tire. Barret Long came by both
Martinez and I like a banshee and took the lead. Near the end Michael
Rouleau got around me and I finished 4th.
In Unlimited Supersport I got a good start from the front row and rode a
lonely race, crossing the line in a huge wheelie, with a 13 second gap,
for my second expert win to date.
I took another good launch from the front row in Unlimited Superbike and
Marco made the same move into turn 2. This time we were both on used
tires and I've got a bit of experience with that. I followed him
around close for a few laps putting pressure on him and seeing where he
was making mistakes. His bike is really quick so I had to wait until he
bobbled exiting the bowl, draft him down the short straight and make a
late braking pass, on the inside, entering turn 6. I was sliding like
crazy, just managing to hold a tight line and make the pass stick. I
pushed hard and put in a clean lap and a half to take the win with a
narrow margin.
I was on the 3rd row for the Shootout, on a twenty lap rear tire, but
feeling good nonetheless. The starter did a bit of an improv for the
start and I botched my launch, falling into 5th place, while Marco took
the holeshot and started pulling a gap. I made it into 4th quickly,
chased down my firend Sean Dwyer, passing him on the back straight, and
set out after Rouleau. Our rhythms are different and I had to make a
hard push to set him up and pass into turn 3. I don't know how far out
Marco was, but he was out there. I pushed hard to catch him. I was
closing in, lap by lap, setting the fastest lap of the race and a new
personal best, but the race ended before I could catch him. 2nd place
was my best Shootout finish to date and a great way to end the weekend,
getting to thank my supporters and spray the fans with champagne.
Thanks to everyone who helped out, like my favorite pit-mates d-wire,
Rouleau & the Mrs., Mark, & Karl. Eric from GMD, my boys over at Dunlop,
Henry and the rest of the CCS staff, Lisa T for the amazing pictures!