Sturgis is a place I have grown accustomed to racing at over the past few years. I first made the trip when I was a pro-sport back in 2006 and been coming ever since. The tracks aren't the greatest but the people involved with the sport out that way are really cool people and really love dirttrack.

Sturgis ST (Hot Shoe National)

I have had some good races at this track over the years and also some very bad ones. This year I came into Sturgis ST 3rd place in 450 Hot Shoe points with an 11th, 5th, 4th and 3rd in the series. I didn't qualify very well. The track was very slick and it got slicker as the day went on. There was some fast company at this race. Carr, Kopp, Halbert, Schnabel, Russell, Mees, Bergen, Robinson, Kirkness, Taylor, Mataya, Murray, Eslick, King and probably 10 more nat numbers I'm forgetting. I started back row in my heat and was like 8th or 9th off the line and they were only taking 4. Lap two of this heat race would damper my whole week. A rock flew off the bike in front of me and smashed into my goggle. It hit me so hard, it broke my goggle and caused it to stick to my eye. The whole race I was kinda dizzy and unable to use my right eye. I however still managed to slice through the pack and finish 4th to make the main, closing right in on 2nd and 3rd at the finish. I came off the track and my eye swelled up triple the size of my other eye. It rang my bell quite a bit too. I would start 2nd row, outside in the main. The only rider on the slippery groove. I was almost last off the line in the 18 rider main and I just didn't have what it took to pass like I normally do and finished 14th. One second from like 8th as the pack I caught in front of me were battling. I couldn't see out of my right eye all night, and I was hoping it would heal fully for the GNC the next day. I dropped one spot in the points and it looked like I got dropped my Rocky Balboa. Not a good night. A lot of rest and ice in preparation for the national.

Rapid City (GNC Twins National)

When we got to this track, it looked like a lot of fun. It looked really big and smooth. I was excited to race. My eye wasn't as swelled as the previous night, but it hurt more. I can take the pain and was happy to be able to see out of it at least. It turned out this track was slick. I mean, real slick! We were struggling our tails off. I qualified horrible. I felt like an amateur out there. I felt like I was riding ok, but just couldn't get hooked up. One session, I was 3rd to last in qualifying. Just flat out horrible. I went in after practice and took a nap. Rich Hanson went to work on the bike after we discussed our options and I had full confidence he would have the thing working way better for the heat. I have a lot of faith in the guy and I feel we can do big things together. Not only did I have a stacked heat, but I was on the back row and we were struggling all day. Kopp, Mees, Schnabel, Robinson, Taylor, Mataya, Murray, Eslick and some more. As we were lining up, there was a huge storm rolling in. There was a huge lightning bolt right as the starter walked off the track. I got a pretty good start and felt the bike out for the first lap. I made a small mistake and Eslick passed me, but the bike was working very good so I dropped the hammer and passed him right back and set sail on the lead 5 who got away pretty quick. The 10 laps were going fast and I was making a lot of ground up on Robinson & Taylor. I reeled them in but the checkered flag flew and I finished a solid 6th. The last 3 laps of our heat, it started drizzling. I was confident we could win our semi and move to the front in the main, however mother nature had other plans. They ended up calling the race, taking top 6 from the heat and giving all 18 riders 1 point. I made my 2nd GNC final in a row, but I was really bummed because not only did I think I had something for the guys up front, but they also cut half our purse money. It is a long way to race out here & cutting half the purse really hurt us. I don't understand why this was done. I was more bummed about only gaining 1 point. 1 point doesn't make much of a climb in points for me. Overall, to come from where we started the day, to making the national shows how well Rich & I work together even at our worst nights. I am excited for the up coming nationals and continue to make a climb in the standings.

Sturgis 1/2 Mile (Pro-Am)

We decided with the rain out to stay and try and make some extra money. A lot of other fast guys had the same idea. Carr, Halbert, Schwarzenbacher, Robinson, Durelle, Mataya, Kirkness, Gough, Cose and a few more. I never raced here before, but the purse was good and the track looked descent. I rode my 09' CRF in the 450 expert class. Practice went pretty good. Made some gear changes and lined up for the heat. I got a bad start in my heat, and passed a few guys to shuffle into 2nd. I made a run at #30 Brock Schwarerbacher but made some mistakes and finished 2nd. He was riding good and I just felt like we were missing some bike set-up. My mechanic, Rich flew back home early morning and its a lot more challenging to get dialed in when he isn't around. The other Rich and myself did the best we could and lined up for the main. The track developed a very narrow groove and if you got off the groove, you were loosing a lot of ground. I started on the inside of the front row. Not the best spot as the groove had way more traction then all the dust I was in. I got off the line 5th. Mostly all the riders besides Brandon & myself rode the open pro class as well as the 450 expert class too. This class was run a few classes before and they all had the track dialed in right from the green light. It took me a few laps to figure out the changes. I got passed by Kirkness and Robinson was right on my tire. My maxxis started to finally break in and I reeled Kirkness back in and passed him and then rode a conservative race as the top 4 had a descent gap on me and I finished 5th. I wasn't too happy about the finish, but it could of been worse I suppose. I kind of wish I would of rode the open pro as well for more seat time, but I didn't want to put a lot of laps on the 450.

All in all, it wasn't too bad of a week. With all that happened and not having my dad there, I think we managed ok. A long trip home then a lot of work to be done to get ready for the next national in Grove City, Ohio. See you all there.