The latest, Friday night, 7:30 pm.
The storms in the Dallas area look a lot worse on the news than they do at Texas Stadium. Still there are reports of people's flights cancelled from So Cal into nearby DFW. Hopefully everyone gets in on time.
As far as the track goes, it's been finished and covered since early Thursday. It got rained on Thursday night. Friday afternoon was good just about all day. The dirt under the plastic was soft going in, and its the same - thick Texas modeling clay.
The plastic held up good. The field is raised 24" inside the stadiums which helps drain it, according to LN's Todd Jendro.
It's raining again Friday night, but about like before (cross fingers on tornadoes).
(WOW, just as this was typed, thunder and lightning - not Mike and Jeff Alessi either - just shook the ground!)
So if all goes well, they might take the plastic off in the morning. Even if it gets no more rain its going to be soft stuff in the afternoon.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Lookin Good on Friday Afternoon
Photo by PK. The Dallas supercross looks good Friday. It rained Thursday night, but the track was finished early and covered, so it's ready for tomorrow. One forecast has the rain clearing up about midday Saturday.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Dallas - The Calm Before the Storm
Photo by PK. Ready for rain - and ready for a good weekend. The track at Dallas was finished early Thursday and covered for the storm, and just peeled back a bit for some press riding in the morning.
The afternoon stayed overcast and mild, and just before dark, on Thursday, it was quiet (photo). After that, it's been raining.
Some of the press that were to cover press day were chasing storms. KW, Laninovich, 4 guys from Warthog's semi, and Wyvern Motorsports were there to talk to reporters. KW talked about 2007, RC, and his own NASCAR interests.
The plan is to leave the plastic on as much as possible Saturday. Right now its good dirt well covered. Who knows what it will be by Friday night?
Monday, March 26, 2007
Reed and Sorby On Team Riding
Here's a transcript of Reed talking to media after the main at Indy. At the end, Tim Olson from motocross.com asks about Sorby getting in Reed's way. Reed answered that question. Later Weekend Window asked Sorby for a comment about that and he sent a statement via email. We blog, you decide. :)
Q - Chad, you had an exciting night.
A - It was good. I loved the track. I loved the dirt. I’m disappointed and pissed off. Little mistakes like when coming through the lappers, I have to get better at that. A couple of things were out of my hands, there were a couple of a Tuff Blox and I landed on one and got caught up on it and lost a lot of ground. I felt strong.
Q - Were you doing that triple-triple after the start and the first whoops?
A - I never did it until the main event. I wanted to do it in the main event right away. I was watching James. I felt comfortable doing what I was doing. In a couple of laps I made mistakes and he just got right up on me. He passed me there. I was like hey I have to do it, I have to pull the trigger. I’m excited. I’m super-pumped that I did that. Normally that’s something you just do in practice. I felt confident in me and my bike and just did it. I was happy for that.
I felt like I had a lot of fight in me tonight. I felt good on the bike. The bike was awesome. We made a lot of changes from the heat to the main. It was a lot better. I got the start again. I felt good. I felt great in the whoops, the jumps, the turns. Those mistakes cost me the win. I can handle that. That is something I can go home and work on. It’s not good when you are chasing things on the bike. The bike is good.
Q - What will you different for next week?
A - I will just keep doing the same as I have been doing. Dallas is going to be a lot different. This is by far the best track, preparation, dirt, layout, that I have ridden in 4 years. We are probably going to go to one of the worst this weekend (in terms of dirt). Who knows what the layout is going to be? I enjoyed this track and let’s see what next week brings.
Q - What should the AMA do about Sorby, he seems to get in your way?
A - It is what it is. What can you do? It’s one of those things where if you have friends and if he is willing to do that, good for you. I don’t agree with it. You have to watch out for him (Sorby). You know it’s coming. You don’t know what he is going to do, if he is going to slow down, or if he is going to take you wide and take you out. All the above have been done at this point so you just never know.
Sorby sent this response in via email.
Hey everyone,
This weekend was a good weekend for me, I got 5th in my heat race and after coming from dead last in the main event I ended up 13th overall.
I need to clarify something before rumors get ugly. I heard how Chad Reed was complaining about me because I am always in his way because I am friends with James Stewart. Being friends with another rider doesn't mean I do his dirty work for him. I focus on my riding and my career. Not James' or anyone else's.
In San Francisco, I never saw Chad and I was keeping my line in the outside. This weekend I guess he complained (no surprise), because this time I was in the inside like the pictures show. There is nothing I can do anymore. Do I need to go off the track when I see him? I don't think so. I also blocked James before the triple and I didn't mean it. It's all part of racing, if you make a mistake people automatically assume you did it on purpose.
I honestly respect Chad, he is a very good rider. I like watching him ride because he has so much talent and I respect him like a champion. But when he disrespects some riders, like Tedesco in the past , or RC last week on the Racerx.com and me again, I don't really feel as though it fair. I am not here to cry about it but just here to clear things up before it affects me and my reputation.
Stewart doesn't need anyone to help him for the championship, to me he is most talented rider. RC is not here anymore, and I think it's James' turn to step up in the reigns and take over...is that what makes Chad mad? Who knows, but I just want everyone to know I am not here to help him, I'm here to help myself and become a better rider. I don't worry about anyone else's racing career but my own and that's the bottom line. All the rider's do what they have to, to be where they are at right now, and I do the same. Racing is my passion it's been my whole life, and I would never jeopardize in any way.
To all my fans out there who have stuck by my side through everything in the years, I want to specially thank you. You are what keeps me going out their on the track. and I will promise to make that 2 -stroke on the main event if not this year then for sure in 08. You can all stick me to it.
Thanks again,
eric sorby
Q - Chad, you had an exciting night.
A - It was good. I loved the track. I loved the dirt. I’m disappointed and pissed off. Little mistakes like when coming through the lappers, I have to get better at that. A couple of things were out of my hands, there were a couple of a Tuff Blox and I landed on one and got caught up on it and lost a lot of ground. I felt strong.
Q - Were you doing that triple-triple after the start and the first whoops?
A - I never did it until the main event. I wanted to do it in the main event right away. I was watching James. I felt comfortable doing what I was doing. In a couple of laps I made mistakes and he just got right up on me. He passed me there. I was like hey I have to do it, I have to pull the trigger. I’m excited. I’m super-pumped that I did that. Normally that’s something you just do in practice. I felt confident in me and my bike and just did it. I was happy for that.
I felt like I had a lot of fight in me tonight. I felt good on the bike. The bike was awesome. We made a lot of changes from the heat to the main. It was a lot better. I got the start again. I felt good. I felt great in the whoops, the jumps, the turns. Those mistakes cost me the win. I can handle that. That is something I can go home and work on. It’s not good when you are chasing things on the bike. The bike is good.
Q - What will you different for next week?
A - I will just keep doing the same as I have been doing. Dallas is going to be a lot different. This is by far the best track, preparation, dirt, layout, that I have ridden in 4 years. We are probably going to go to one of the worst this weekend (in terms of dirt). Who knows what the layout is going to be? I enjoyed this track and let’s see what next week brings.
Q - What should the AMA do about Sorby, he seems to get in your way?
A - It is what it is. What can you do? It’s one of those things where if you have friends and if he is willing to do that, good for you. I don’t agree with it. You have to watch out for him (Sorby). You know it’s coming. You don’t know what he is going to do, if he is going to slow down, or if he is going to take you wide and take you out. All the above have been done at this point so you just never know.
Sorby sent this response in via email.
Hey everyone,
This weekend was a good weekend for me, I got 5th in my heat race and after coming from dead last in the main event I ended up 13th overall.
I need to clarify something before rumors get ugly. I heard how Chad Reed was complaining about me because I am always in his way because I am friends with James Stewart. Being friends with another rider doesn't mean I do his dirty work for him. I focus on my riding and my career. Not James' or anyone else's.
In San Francisco, I never saw Chad and I was keeping my line in the outside. This weekend I guess he complained (no surprise), because this time I was in the inside like the pictures show. There is nothing I can do anymore. Do I need to go off the track when I see him? I don't think so. I also blocked James before the triple and I didn't mean it. It's all part of racing, if you make a mistake people automatically assume you did it on purpose.
I honestly respect Chad, he is a very good rider. I like watching him ride because he has so much talent and I respect him like a champion. But when he disrespects some riders, like Tedesco in the past , or RC last week on the Racerx.com and me again, I don't really feel as though it fair. I am not here to cry about it but just here to clear things up before it affects me and my reputation.
Stewart doesn't need anyone to help him for the championship, to me he is most talented rider. RC is not here anymore, and I think it's James' turn to step up in the reigns and take over...is that what makes Chad mad? Who knows, but I just want everyone to know I am not here to help him, I'm here to help myself and become a better rider. I don't worry about anyone else's racing career but my own and that's the bottom line. All the rider's do what they have to, to be where they are at right now, and I do the same. Racing is my passion it's been my whole life, and I would never jeopardize in any way.
To all my fans out there who have stuck by my side through everything in the years, I want to specially thank you. You are what keeps me going out their on the track. and I will promise to make that 2 -stroke on the main event if not this year then for sure in 08. You can all stick me to it.
Thanks again,
eric sorby
Sunday, March 25, 2007
RC: Flat Tire Spoils Carmichael's Stock Car Debut
Flat Tire Spoils Carmichael's Stock Car Debut
(from Scott Taylor)
Mark Martin spends night mentoring motocross standout
ELLISVILLE, Fla. (March 24, 2007) – Ginn Racing development driver and motocross champion Ricky Carmichael made his stock car debut Saturday night in a super late model race here at Columbia Motorsports Park.
Under the watchful eye of Nextel Cup point leader Mark Martin, Carmichael finished third in his heat race. In the main feature, he overcame a second lap incident, but on Lap 7 of 25 his right-front tire went flat, sending his No. 4 Monster Energy Chevy into the wall and a premature exit from the race.
Fellow Ginn development driver Matt Martin finished fourth in his heat and seventh overall in the feature.
“Our goal for this event was to not focus on the result, but to focus on the things that we had to learn,” said Martin. "Ricky had to learn the lay of the land and he did well with that tonight. He does know how to get up to speed quickly. We learned a ton tonight. I think we got the car working well for him by the feature and he was really fast. He just had a couple of unfortunate incidents. Part of it is racing and part of it will be more avoidable as he gets more experience and a better feel for what the cars around him will do.”
Said Carmichael, “I learned every time I got behind the wheel what it was like to race as opposed to testing. Seat time was the big thing for me. I wish we could have fixed it up and gotten back out there. It’s just disappointing to me because what I didn’t want to happen (to fall out of the race) happened. But there is always another weekend and that’s the great thing about racing.”
After a solid heat race, Carmichael started the feature inside of the second row. He held his own in the early going, before getting tangled up in an accident on the second lap. A car checked up in front of Carmichael, giving him no where to go with his Monster Energy Chevrolet. Though the contact sent the right wheels airborne, Carmichael was able to collect the car and continue, even holding his position for the next several laps before a debris caution was issued.
“I came off of turn two and got a good run, but the No. 8 car kind of came in on me and I just had no where to go,” said the 27-year-old Carmichael. “I ran into the back of him and kind of got my Monster Energy Chevy up at an angle and it slammed down. I thought we were going to be okay after that, but the tire deal put us out of the race. That was very unfortunate for everyone involved.”
Despite the incidents, Carmichael was pleased to gain valuable seat time.
“This was really, really fun for me,” offered Carmichael. “It’s the competitive side of me that makes the result frustrating. I've learned so much that I can't wait for the next race."
Carmichael's next two scheduled late model races will be April 21 and April 28 at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. He is expected to compete in a total of 15 late model races this season.
Martin, who will see his streak of 621 consecutive starts come to an end today, enjoyed his role of mentor and teacher.
“I had a great night -- it was a blast,” said Martin. “I’m incredibly proud of Matt and Ricky and the way they drove tonight. I really enjoy working with them and helping Ricky make the transition from two wheels to four."
“Ricky has another race coming up in a few weeks,” added Martin. “We are going to continue to step up the challenge and a have a solid plan laid out for him."
(from Scott Taylor)
Mark Martin spends night mentoring motocross standout
ELLISVILLE, Fla. (March 24, 2007) – Ginn Racing development driver and motocross champion Ricky Carmichael made his stock car debut Saturday night in a super late model race here at Columbia Motorsports Park.
Under the watchful eye of Nextel Cup point leader Mark Martin, Carmichael finished third in his heat race. In the main feature, he overcame a second lap incident, but on Lap 7 of 25 his right-front tire went flat, sending his No. 4 Monster Energy Chevy into the wall and a premature exit from the race.
Fellow Ginn development driver Matt Martin finished fourth in his heat and seventh overall in the feature.
“Our goal for this event was to not focus on the result, but to focus on the things that we had to learn,” said Martin. "Ricky had to learn the lay of the land and he did well with that tonight. He does know how to get up to speed quickly. We learned a ton tonight. I think we got the car working well for him by the feature and he was really fast. He just had a couple of unfortunate incidents. Part of it is racing and part of it will be more avoidable as he gets more experience and a better feel for what the cars around him will do.”
Said Carmichael, “I learned every time I got behind the wheel what it was like to race as opposed to testing. Seat time was the big thing for me. I wish we could have fixed it up and gotten back out there. It’s just disappointing to me because what I didn’t want to happen (to fall out of the race) happened. But there is always another weekend and that’s the great thing about racing.”
After a solid heat race, Carmichael started the feature inside of the second row. He held his own in the early going, before getting tangled up in an accident on the second lap. A car checked up in front of Carmichael, giving him no where to go with his Monster Energy Chevrolet. Though the contact sent the right wheels airborne, Carmichael was able to collect the car and continue, even holding his position for the next several laps before a debris caution was issued.
“I came off of turn two and got a good run, but the No. 8 car kind of came in on me and I just had no where to go,” said the 27-year-old Carmichael. “I ran into the back of him and kind of got my Monster Energy Chevy up at an angle and it slammed down. I thought we were going to be okay after that, but the tire deal put us out of the race. That was very unfortunate for everyone involved.”
Despite the incidents, Carmichael was pleased to gain valuable seat time.
“This was really, really fun for me,” offered Carmichael. “It’s the competitive side of me that makes the result frustrating. I've learned so much that I can't wait for the next race."
Carmichael's next two scheduled late model races will be April 21 and April 28 at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. He is expected to compete in a total of 15 late model races this season.
Martin, who will see his streak of 621 consecutive starts come to an end today, enjoyed his role of mentor and teacher.
“I had a great night -- it was a blast,” said Martin. “I’m incredibly proud of Matt and Ricky and the way they drove tonight. I really enjoy working with them and helping Ricky make the transition from two wheels to four."
“Ricky has another race coming up in a few weeks,” added Martin. “We are going to continue to step up the challenge and a have a solid plan laid out for him."
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