Vernon Downs , New York

 Well, what can I say about our last race in Vernon Downs on saturday. I guess it wasn't the kind of track you would call "my cup of tea". This was going to be my twins national debut and I was also going to be riding on my first mile long track on a 750. I also never rode a cushion on a 750 either, so I guess I came into this race looking more to learn then expecting to be up front. I hate "learning races" because I hate not being able to run up front and be competitive anywhere. So I decided I was going to try and learn as much as I can and try my best.
 
I went out for the first qualifying session and wow, it was way different then I expected. I didn't qualify very good, but each time I went out I felt more and more comfortable on the bike and on the track. I felt like I was way faster then how I qualified and I was ready to step it up a bit in my heat and semi. I was getting pretty good starts, but I was on the back row. Getting sprayed at 125mph isnt the best feeling. Something I defintely wasn't used to. I had a pretty hard heat race and didn't ride my best and finished 10th. I wasn't super far behind, but to me, it just wasn't something I was use to. I lined up in my semi on the back row again. I got a super good start this time from the back row and I was up to 3rd. I felt alot better. I came off the next corner and Ricky Marshall got real sideways and I almost hit his rear wheel. This stood me up and I lost alot of momentum and went back to 7th place. Red flag came out and they single filed us. I had a crappy spot on the single file and not alot of room to go. I got a good start and ran wheel to wheel with Marshall for the majority or the race. We caught up to Raun Wood and Dan Gedeon on the Triumph with a couple laps to go, but I just didn't have to extra speed to pass them and I finished 7th.
 
The good news was I felt ALOT better in the semi. Bad news was I still didn't make that first national yet. I learned so much over the weekend and I was very happy that I became competitive on this type of track my first time ever racing it. It is a good sign for the future. I am getting tired of not making any nationals yet. I really feel I can run up front in one of them, but first I have to get in one! I feel pretty consistently fast on every track we go to, but I just need things to start clicking and some good luck for once and I know the hard work will eventually pay off. This is my life and it's what I choose I wanted to do and I really hope things start to pay off soon. Thanks to everyone who helped me out this past weekend learning as much as I can and special thanks to chris carr for giving me some good advice. Your still a champ in my eyes. I know my speed is there as I prove it at non national races. I just need to get that confidence builder of making that first national and then hammer down! Good job to my buddy Matt Weidman on making his first one this weekend. It's my turn now Matty. Next national is June 21 in Tennesse. Wish me luck!