2017 NATIONALS.. TO GO OR NOT ???

Since I got back from Mammoth I have been training hard for Nationals at Loretta Lynn’s.  During my training I fell on my bicycle and broke my collarbone.

10 days before my first race at Nationals I went into surgery to plate my shoulder.

After my surgery my parents cancelled our trip to Tennesse but I kept telling them I was going to be able to race.  I worked really hard and did everything that Doctor Ting said so I would have a chance to still race.

Dr. Ting had me do Chryo therapy, arm therapy, lazar treatment, etc.

Two days before sign ins Dr. Ting told me that the plate was good and that if I ride I will be in pain but won’t hurt my arm.  I really wanted to try to race and knew I would be able to fight through the pain.  My parents were not as convinced as me but they decided to try to get another room in Tennessee and that they would drive me out.  We hit the road and drove 34 hours straight to Tennessee and got to the track just in time to sign in.

I was very excited to be at Nationals!  I got my #71 Bib and my bike and my gear was looking amazing!

 

After getting signed in my Dad did some finishing touches on the bike and I tried to do some fishing in the river…. I didn’t catch anything.  Then I went to the pool to get cooled off and to do a little more therapy on my shoulder.  It was fun to hang out with friends and get ready for racing the next day.

 

When I was in my first race I tried to focus on my laps.  I started off OK but I did start to fade back as the race went on.  I was able to finish my first two races in the top 10 which wasn’t bad for only being 10 days out of surgery.

In my third race I started with a great start out front.  I was in 2nd place and putting down great lap times.  I jumped when I landed in a cross rutt I wasn’t able to hold on and when the handlebar ripped out of my hand I went down.  With my handlebars bent and mud in the throttle cable I wasn’t able to finish the race.

That night I rested my shoulder and the next day I to race but my shoulder was hurting too bad to continue.  My parents and I decided that it was time to call it.  I wasn’t able to compete up front and I didn’t want to do any harm to my body so I decided not to race in my last motos.  It was a really hard decision but I was happy I was even able to race at all.

I have the most amazing sponsors!!!  Everyone is always so supportive of me and my racing.

YAMAHA  –  FLY  –  LUCAS OIL

SOBMX  –  2X PROMOTIONS  –  JMS  –  GRINDSTONE COMPOUND

WES KAIN MAFIA – MOM AND DAD – BILLS PIPES – LEATT

51 FIFTY ENERGY DRINK – WIENERSCHNITZEL – SCOTT GOOGLES – DUNLOP TIRES

CANDACE – JOHNNY – DR. TING

So many other sponsors that were not at the track but they help me throughout the year.  I wish I was able to compete up front like I should have been but happy I was able to make it in the top 10 twice considering.  After the races my family drove straight back home so I can start high school on Monday.

Every year Yamaha has a dinner for all the riders and families.  We get to take a team photo and every year Yamaha picks one person that wins a prize.  This year they called my number and I won a Yamaha pressure washer.  It was so cool, I have never won a raffle.  My Dad was SO excited!!!!  He can’t wait to use it.

Can’t wait till next year!!!!

MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN RACE

My first big race back from my accident was this week.  The race at Mammoth Mountain is like a mini Loretta Lynn race, everyone goes to this race…. and this year was the 50th anniversary so it was bigger and better than ever.  We had to drive all the way around this year because roads were still closed from all the snow that we got this year.  We stopped for some fun in the water and snow on the way to and from Mammoth…. it was really cold!

The next day was Father’s Day and my Dad spent the whole day working on my bikes and getting everything ready for the race…. He is the best!

I tested my bike on the road a few times just to make sure we got the jetting the best we could.  The elevation is so high on the mountain we have to change all of our settings from what we run at home.

Practice day went well.  Worked on getting my flow down on the track and fine tuning the motor.  I couldn’t wait to get on the line and race!

I was really lucky to have Josh Boykin with Boykin Suspension spend a few days with my family and I and make sure my bike was ready for each race.  Josh worked with Dom and I before each moto and my bike never felt better.  I really appreciate all your help and hard work Josh!

I had a lot of my sponsors at the event to support me… Thank you Yamaha, 2X Promotions, Fly Gear, Scott Goggles, and so many others that I didn’t get pictures with like Leatt, Dunlop, Mylucasoil, Americoresmx, Addictionindustries, Mika, etc.

The first day of racing I was in the top 3 in every race.  It was really cool to be on the line with so many awesome racers and be able to battle up front with them.  The track was awesome, and I was really happy with my results because I feel like I am still getting back up to speed.  I finished day 1 with Heat race 1st and 2nd and main event 2nd and 3rd place finishes.

Day 2 the track got a little more rough and my lap times got a little faster.  I didn’t have better results but had even better battles than the day before.  Finished the Heat races with two 2nd place finishes.  I finished one main event with a 3rd and the second main event I got the hole shot and was out front but crashed really hard.  I crushed my pipe all the way in and my throttle was totally broken.  I was able to battle back from 26th to 8th place.

After my races my family and I did a video testimonial for Leatt.  They wanted to have myself and my Mom and Dad talk about my accident when I broke my back and how because of the neck brace and chest protector I was able to get back on my bike and ride this race.  I’m not too sure how the video is going to turn out.  I did my part and told them what happened on my bike.  Then when my Mom and Dad told their part, both my parents cried which made all the film crew and Leatt reps cry, which made me cry.  I didn’t realize my parents were so upset about everything.  And my parents said that it was really hard to talk about because they have never told the full story out loud before…. and it has only been two months.  I guess I will have to update you all and let you know how that turns out. lol

I also did a video shoot for Yamaha up in the trees.  I always like to talk about how much I love my bike!

I also want to thank the Vacarello family for letting us share a cabin with you.  Always fun hanging out with friends.

Now it’s time to get ready for Loretta’s!