FEATURE STORY

SEATTLE DELIVERS AGAIN
After expecting a full on mudder in Seattle, it was a nice surprise to see blue skies Saturday afternoon. The schedule was modified well and the track crew did an excellent job of saving the track. Adding to the good job by everyone to make the first race in Seattle since they blew up the King Dome a success, was that it was replaced by a beautiful new stadium packed full of 50,000 people ready to see the battle in Pontiac repeated.

From the time Stewart hit the track he looked the fastest. Reed looked fast as well and I believe he had the fastest lap in practice, but there was something about James that had everyone feeling like he would win – if he stayed upright.

Kevin Windham was fast too, but since he is so smooth he didn’t get the same attention James did.

Carmichael, who reportedly crashed and knocked himself out on Tuesday looked a little off. Since he was in town early for press day and there was no Friday practice I’m sure it took him a little longer to get comfortable and he did, but his three competitors looked faster and more comfortable.

Since Jason Weigant’s Racer X report is so detailed, I’m not going to bother with a blow by blow. Instead, here are some of my thoughts about Seattle’s race.

Awesome looking stadium. One that looks more like a World Cup Soccer venue. It seems crazy to have an open stadium in a city that gets rained on 300 days a year, but it all panned out and the big “Dry” crowd was on it’s feet for both exciting main events.

Steve Hudson is awesome every week, but this week was especially good in my opinion with his message to “Become what you believe.” We have powerful minds and when used properly wonderful things occur.

The dirt was as dark as any I’ve ever seen and just as rutted. Knowing how rutted it got I was really impressed with how fast the front-runners handled it!

The 125 class was all about horsepower to get over the triples and the huge finish line jump. My hat is off to Larry Brooks and those orange European link less bikes for winning races and almost winning the east coast title. In the main event KTM ran 1-2 in the early stages with Nathan Ramsey digging DEEP to win it. He crashed, caught back up, cased the crap out of the triple 3-times and still won. Nice!

Congrats to Mitch Payton and the Pro-Circuit gang for winning both titles and to Ivan Tedesco for rebounding after nearly burning his “Credentials” on the pipe during his heat race wild ride. I think Ivan is going to transition well to the 250 class.

The buzz after the 250 main was all about the first turn. Did James punt Reed or didn’t he? If I were Reed I would be mad, but I think it was one of those deals where everyone came in so hot that it just happened. After watching it on TV, I think James could’ve been nicer, but he got bumped too. If I were in his boots after getting bumped by Windham I wouldn’t have wasted any time getting in and out of there fast either. James wasn’t about to let Reed by on the outside, but I don’t think he meant for it to be as bad as it was. I can see both sides, but I’ll bet Reed can’t wait for Houston. He rode mad and fast and left some folks thinking he could’ve won if he had stayed up. He proved his fitness too after getting screwed in the heat by a lapped rider and then his teammate (in my opinion) forcing him to the semi and then posted his fastest lap on lap 20! I like the fact that the title looks out of reach, but he hasn’t given up. The guy is a closer! Now if he can just be a starter he will be tough to beat for the title even against Stewart.

Windham dug deep and put it to RC in a big way through the roughest part of the track on the outside! I’m sure Atlanta is still on his mind and it had to feel good to blast by Ricky the way he did.

Ricky…well, he started off shaky, but he got faster all night. Despite his efforts to match Stewart’s speed (and he was closer this time) he still got beat – by all three guys. Stewart ran away, Kevin passed him and Reed reeled him in big time! The title is going to be nice if he pulls it off again, but he’s not happy right now.

I can’t wait for Houston either!

db

Photos by Trent Howies, Steve Bruhn and me

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