FXR Racing Presents the Mid-Week Report With Andy White

This past weekend I was able to attend the final AMA outdoor national round in Crawfordville, Indiana at the Ironman track. This was my first time taking in this event and I was very impressed with their layout. This is the best track on the US schedule to spectate, in my opinion, and  I have been to almost all of them. I was pumped when I was walking around taking it all in. The atmosphere, the spectator-friendly side lines and the entire track layout was just top notch. The track sits in a valley and you can walk almost anywhere. This track has two massive jumps, one up-hill triple and the other one they call “Godzilla.” This jump is a unreal! It’s a third or fourth gear up-hill, blind double. I asked one of the riders how did they have the balls to jump that? He said if he was going to qualify for the event he would need to hit it. He just follows another rider, clicks it in to fourth on his 250F, holds it wide-open and prays (ha-ha).

Although this photo is from Budds Creek, Dylan Wright had another good race at Ironman Raceway finishing up in 18th overall. Photo by Krystyn Slack

I bumped into Dylan Wright from the GDR Honda team while I was there. He was there to compete and get some experience racing against the best riders in the US. I thought to myself, “Why are there no other Canadian riders down here?” That’s a loaded question and I know the answer to that question. We will just leave that right there. So moving on, I was happy to see Dylan all pumped for the race. I asked him what he thought of the event. He said, “I am super pumped to be here. Last week I raced Budds Creek and I really enjoyed racing against riders I have never raced before. I feel it really helps me to focus, pick lines and push to the last lap. These riders, who are finishing 10-20, are wide open and are going for it. To compete at this level is unreal. I hope to finish top 15 again, this will help with my confidence.”

It was the final round, and the big question weighing on everyone’s mind was who will become the 450 Champ? Well, if all goes well it would be Tomac. If he DNFs both motos then it could be Baggett or Marvin. Tomac had a solid 30 point lead with two motos to go. The other big news was the Dutch GP master. Herlings was in town and he was racing as well. This was going to be a good. Will Tomac ride for a championship or will his ego get the best of him? Will Herlings screw up the points? Will Herlings podium? We’ll, I’m sure you already know the results and you’re not too surprised by the results. Yes, Tomac is the champ, and yes, he actually commented and said he did try to race the three-time MX2 Champ and it almost cost him the championship. The first moto Tomac holeshot. By the way, that was his first of the year, believe it or not. Herlings made the pass for the lead three corners into the race, and Tomac said to himself, ”  don’t think so!” That lasted a few corners until #3 threw it away on a jump and bent up his clutch lever. Tomac commented at the press conference, “I screwed up and I thought I could get him back. While laying on the ground I thought what the F… am I doing? Get on the bike and win this damn championship!” Eli went on to win the outdoor 450 championship and Herlings won both motos for the overall. In the second moto, Herlings started almost dead last after crashing into a fallen rider on Lap 1. Remarkably, by the last lap, Herlings passed all 39 riders to take the win.

Something tells us that Jeffrey Hearlings will face a much better Eli Tomac this weekend at the 2017 USA MXGP.

This coming weekend in Jacksonville, Florida it will be Round 17 of 19 of the MXGPs. The world’s best will be lining up in the sand. I think you will see a different Tomac this coming weekend. He has no pressure and I am sure he will want to show the world he was focusing on his championship last weekend. Will Cairoli hang it out or will he ride safe and focus on his championship? So may questions. I am sure of one thing though, you will be sure to see some great racing.