My First AMA Pro Flat Track Main
Rounds 1 and 2 of the AMA Pro Flat Track Championship are over and I couldn’t be much happier; for me this year was all new. Competing against guys who have been racing this series longer than I have been alive. Like Seven-Time AMA Flat Track Champion Chris Carr, Two-Time champ Kenny Coolbeth and also another Two-Time Singles champ Jake Johnson. They have all been racing dirt track ovals and TTs since they were eight years-old. Whereas, I raced flat track growing up but stepped away from it for a few years to explore more opportunities and better my racing career in different ways.
Coming into Daytona Beach for the first two rounds, I spent a lot of time at Scott Powersports, a power sports dealership in Coopersburg, PA. There, we built the race bikes (Kawasaki KX450F) in their purpose-built race shop equipped with a dynamometer which we used to test the motors to see how they run and how much power they had even before we touch the track.
Not only was a lot of time spent getting the bikes ready, but also had to make sure I was ready. I spent afternoons either in the gym or at the local park in only 30-degree plus weather mountain biking for some extra training. Along with physical training, I had to make sure everything was planned out for Daytona, including travel arrangements and all my race gear from the Troy Lee Designs jerseys, pants and gloves to Aria Helmets to Alpinestar boots, and even my Utopia Optic goggles. With great support from all four of these companies I was set for the races in Daytona and also looking good!
The AMA Pro Flat Track race at Daytona Municipal Stadium is one of the larger events of the series, being part of the famous Daytona Bike Week, two days of racing, and over 80 riders alone in just the one class fighting for the top 18 spots in the main event. It turns into a battle every time we hit the track. The day starts off with one four-lap practice, then two, timed four qualifying laps. After that only the top 48 riders in times advance to the night program starting with the heat races. So at Daytona over 30 riders didn’t even make it to the heats. In the three heat races of 16 riders only the top four riders go directly to the main event. Then to make up the last six riders two semis are run with 18 riders and only take the top three riders from each.
Now that you understand how we get into the main event, this is how the first day went for me. I qualified 20th, then got 4th in my heat race–having a battle with Chris Carr (one of the series’ best of all time) I will always remember. So, I went directly to the main where I finished 13th. I was the only non-national number rider in the main. This means I was the only rider where this was my first-ever AMA Pro Flat Track main event, which was pretty cool for me!
The next day at round two, we started the day off even better, qualifying in first then getting second in my heat to last year’s champ Kenny Coolbeth. Our heat was two seconds faster than the other two heats! With second in the heat race it put me in the Dash For Cash, which is a four-lap race for some extra cash and extra points in the championship. I managed to get third in the dash and walk away with three extra points. In the main event, I had a great start and just used my head to stay up. With 18 guys on the track it gets hairy out there. I learned a lot from the race. The track changed a bunch and I faded back to 12th. But it was still great to even make my first two main events and come away with 16 points. I left Florida in 11th place in the series standings heading to the third round on May 23 in Springfield, Illinois.
All and all it was a great week. The racing was great and my transition back into flat track went awesome with the support of Mike Scott, Tom and everyone else that helped including all my sponsors. I couldn’t ask for much more: I got to do some racing, spend time on the beach with my girlfriend and friends, and enjoy life. Because that’s what it’s all about, having fun. I am looking forward to seeing what’s ahead in the next couple weeks.
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading ...
Congrats Johnny!
Sounds like you have found your gig! Hope your having fun!
Best to You!
Greg & Karen
keep it going kid , we are cheering for you .
see you at springfield TT , AND GOOD LUCK !
SCHAEFFERS HD/BUELL