Hi race fans! We just finished off a cold and incredible weekend at the 8 th round of Arenacross in Springfield, IL. It was an exciting weekend in Illinois having The Bears go to the Super bowl for the first time since 1986; needless to say the streets were covered in blue and orange. The temperatures never rose above 20 degrees and the wind chill froze my face… but the indoor race track of Arenacross was sculpted to perfection. The floor in the Convention Center was a large floor for Arenacross, giving the track crew some room to give the design some unexpected twists and turns. It was tight and made for some interesting race conditions.

Here is a quick run down of what the track looked like from the riders point of view: Out of the gates down the straight, take a hard left into some big whoops, another quick left into the first part of the rhythm section with another sharp left to the second half, taking a right to finish out the rhythm section back down the straight to a mogul section up over the catapult. It was not an easy track to pass on, and left no room for any mistakes.

The Lites class is always a crazy and entertaining Main Event, so much happens in 16 laps and most of these riders have been out on the track all night riding both their big bikes and little bikes, going from Heat to Semi and LCQ. It was all Jimmy Neese jumping through the gate and into the first turn, he got the holeshot and off he went. The bikes were all together and Cory Green was in the back of the pack. It was going to be a challenge for him to get up in front where we have seen him a lot lately. Kurtis McCabe,from the TiLube Honda team, was riding really well right behind Jimmy Neese. Tyler Bright and Brad Modjewski were also out in front battling for the podium. But every lap Cory Green was slowly working his way back up front, he was on the gas but he definitely was working for it. Jimmy Neese rode the race smart and clean, giving himself another win in the Lites class, and also warming himself up for his big bike. Cory Green was able to ride his way up to finish just behind Jimmy Neese and Kurtis McCabe was all smiles putting him on the podium for the first time this season.

The track got rutted up in the Lites Main so I was curious to see what was going to happen with the big bikes for 20 laps. The 10 second board was up and the gates dropped. Charging through the first turn was #311, Teddy Maier, getting the holeshot and allowing him to get out in front away from the single file line of riders behind him. Throughout the race, there was carnage all over the track. All the bikes were so close together that if one went down, more would follow. The top riders were #38 Danny Smith and the #17 Robbie Reynard. There was only 19 points separating the two of them going into the Main Event, and they were both in the back of the pack trying to work their way up towards the top. There was a pile up right after the catapult with riders spread all the way across the track. Robbie Reynard and Danny Smith both went down scrambling to get back to their bikes and back into the race. The Johnson brothers were battling for the 2 nd place spot the entire race. First it was Kevin and Keith, who waited for him to make a mistake and Keith made the move to get himself in front of his younger brother. They traded places a couple more times before the checkered flag came out. Teddy Maier had the race of his dreams; he didn’t even look winded as he came to except his trophy on top of the podium. It was the first time in their entire lives that the Johnson brothers were on the podium together, and #168 Keith Johnson was happy to say that he beat his younger brother coming in 2 nd and #3 Kevin Johnson having to settle for 3 rd. Danny was to come across the finish line and able work himself back to 7 th with Robbie Reynard coming right behind him in 8 th. Putting Danny Smith one more point ahead of Robbie Reynard for the Championship.

Saturday was even colder than Friday. Attempting to spit some snow out here and there, I didn’t even really want to go outside; however, it was well worth it to walk across the street for my daily dose of coffee before heading over to the track for practice. The track crew worked hard on the track to make it a little more pass friendly, giving the riders more lines to choose from. Robbie Reynard and Kevin Johnson were both looking very fast throughout practice.

There was hardly an empty seat in the house when the lights went out for the Opening Ceremonies. The night was going by so fast for me because I was so excited to see what was going to happen in the Main Events. It was time once again for the Lites Main Event, and Cory “booty shaker” Green got was able to get himself the holeshot and began to take off with it. However, Jimmy Neese was breathing down his neck by the 2 nd lap. But Cory Green was not letting Jimmy Neese get to him; he was riding so well and was ready to get himself back on top of the podium. #709 Tyler Bright was right there with them hanging on to the 3 rd place spot. Jimmy Neese was waiting for the perfect time to make the pass on Cory Green but the opportunity was not presenting itself, so on the second to last lap he went in for an aggressive pass coming on the inside of Cory Green. The contact was enough to take them both down, wedging Cory’s leg in the rear tire of Jimmy Neese’s bike. Sending Brad Modjewski out in front, Kurtis McCabe was once again on the podium this time walking away with 2 nd and Nate Adams coming in 3 rd. It was sad to see the top two riders go down that close to the end, but that is the name of the game and the way that Arenacross works. You never know what can happen.

Robbie Reynard was on the gas in his Heat race qualifying 1 st and riding like himself again. But when the gates went down he was nowhere near the front. #38 Danny Smith finally got the start he has been waiting for. Vincent Blair was running in 2 nd giving Danny a run for his money. Robbie Reynard was 2 nd to last coming down the whoops and into the rhythm section. It seemed like the race was over for Robbie but he was not quick to give up. It was a comeback of a lifetime and a race to remember. Robbie was in 10 th place at the half way mark, but not for long. The #17 was making his move around the track and he was able to work his way all the way up to 2 nd. Danny Smith was still out in front and held onto it until the checkered flag; he was super pumped to get back on top of the podium. #17 Robbie Reynard ended up barely behind Danny getting himself 2 nd, and newcomer Vincent Blair held onto 3 rd.

Springfield was a weekend to remember in so many ways, and the way that Robbie Reynard rode in Saturday nights Main will never be forgotten. We are headed off to Saginaw, MI next weekend for more action packed Arenacross action. It is going to be incredible. As for the defending Arenacross Champion, Chad Johnson will not be able to finish out the season, but he is still coming to the final rounds making sure that he is there to support his team and his fellow riders. His bike is on display in the concourse and he is there to meet and greet the fans! So come say hi to both of us this weekend in Saginaw and finishing off the season in Nashville. Until next time be safe and always keep your smile!! See you at the races!

XOXO

Ashley Miss Arenacross