10 Things to Watch: Budds Creek
Friday, June 15, 2012 | 11:20 AM
Atlas Brace Technologies was founded in 2011 and is the home of the first racer designed, racer tested next generation neck brace, the Atlas Brace™. The Atlas Brace™ was uniquely designed and engineered to be only of the highest level of safety, comfort, mobility, and forward thinking ideas.
Tweet
Advertisement | Advertise with Us
Share
Comment
Email
PrintBy Aaron Hansel and Chase Stallo
Feeding Frenzy
We’ve grown accustomed to the 250 class delivering some of the biggest race day thrills over the past several seasons, and the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship has taken that trend to the next level with incredible battles involving guys like Blake Baggett, Ken Roczen, Eli Tomac and Justin Barcia. In four races we’ve seen three different winners, inspiring come-from-behind wins, and several last lap passes. Expect to see more heroics, intensity and hard riding from these four this weekend.
On the Verge
If you were to compare Roczen’s stats to those of Baggett, Barcia and Tomac, you’d be surprised to learn that Roczen is the only one of the three that has yet to win a moto. Roczen has led 27 laps, which is same number as Tomac, and four more than Baggett. His average position after one lap is the best of the group, and he’s pulled one holeshot, the same as Justin Barcia, and one more than Tomac and Baggett. Obviously, he’s right there in the stats, and he was heartbreakingly close to crossing the line first at Hangtown and High Point. Will this be the weekend that he finally breaks through for that seemingly-inevitable win?
Can Millsaps return to his early season form at Budds Creek?
Simon Cudby photo
Back in the Saddle
Although Davi Millsaps returned to action at The FMF High Point National last weekend, by his own admission he was a little out of practice. “Everyone was in their groove and I was a little rusty from not riding a lot. I've only had three days, and really only one good day since Hangtown. The second moto went a lot better and I started getting back into the race mode,” Millsaps said after the race. He also mentioned that the internal injuries he suffered before Freestone are no longer bothering him at all. Now that he’s got a clean bill of health and has had some time to train and prepare, will Millsaps have the same speed he had at Hangtown when he held Dungey off for second place in the first moto?
Rebuilding the Dream
Over the last couple of seasons, injuries have kept GEICO Powersports Honda’s Wil Hahn from showing just how good of a racer he can be, but at High Point, we saw a glimmer of that when Hahn got off to a great start and held second place for ten of the first moto’s sixteen laps. It’s the best ride we’ve seen so far from Hahn, who is in the process of rebuilding himself. Knowing that he has the ability to run that pace could be just the confidence booster he needs to start putting in top five rides on a regular basis.
Change of Scenery
Despite going down in the second moto, High Point was one of the better weekends for Eleven 10 Mods rider Alex Martin, who got good starts and held down third place for four laps in the first moto. The Minnesota native says his style is more suited to the dirt and ruts of the East Coast tracks, which is something that showed at High Point. Now that Martin is entering his comfort zone, expect another good ride from him this weekend at Budds Creek.
Weimer looks to continue his red-hot start to the 2012 season at Budds Creek.
Simon Cudby photo
Weimer Revival
One of the biggest turnarounds through the first four rounds of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship has come from Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer. Last year was a rough one for Weimer as injuries sidelined him for the majority of supercross and inconsistency plagued his 450 rookie season outdoors. One year later, Weimer has racked up consecutive podiums and through four rounds sits third in points—just three back of Mike Alessi. As the series heads east down I-70 Weimer returns to the place of his last National win—Budds Creek in 2009. Can Weimer continue his torrid start to the 2012 season in Maryland?
In Due Time
From the outside looking in, it would appear as if Brett Metcalfe is off to a slower than usual start to the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. But if you dig a little deeper, Metcalfe is actually on pace to match his fruitful 2011 season. Last year Metcalfe began the season with 5-4-8-6 scores. Correspondingly, 2012 has begun awfully similar for the Australian as he has logged results of 5-8-5-6 through four rounds. Will Budds Creek provide the spark for a mid-season run from Metcalfe?
Desperate Times
When Kyle Regal signed with Toyota/JGR Yamaha for the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, essentially replacing the departed James Stewart, many were predicting a career-year for Regal. But through four rounds of the championship the relationship has been a debacle. Regal has just one top ten and currently sits a disappointing 21st in points. But as Regal explained after High Point he is still trying to adjust to, yet, another bike change: “I’ve ridden a bunch of different bikes, seven or so in the last year; I just need time on the bike…” With a two-week break on the horizon Regal is looking for a good result at Budds Creek to carry some much needed positive momentum into the layoff.
Injuries have hindered Kyle Cunningham throughout 2012.
Simon Cudby photo
Soldiering On
Injuries have wrecked havoc on Rockstar Star-Valli Yamaha Kyle Cunningham’s 2012 season. A small fracture in his wrist slowed Cunningham during supercross, and then he was dealt another blow at opening round when he injured his ankle. Adding insult to, yet another, injury Cunningham crashed hard in practice at High Point and injured his hand. He soldiered on to ninth overall at Mt. Morris but has yet to show flashes of his remarkable 2011 season due to compounding injuries. The two-week break should provide Cunningham an opportunity to lick his wounds, but with Budds Creek still to play can the Texas native push the pain aside and capture another top ten?
Runaway Freight Train
Since James Stewart’s crash in the first moto at Thunder Valley Ryan Dungey has promptly gone 1-1-1-1, bringing back memories of his dominant 2010 season. Mike Alessi gave a valiant effort at High Point, but ultimately came up short of challenging the runaway freight train that is Ryan Dungey. Will Alessi, Weimer, Short and the rest of the 450 class be able to slow down Dungey at Budds Creek?
Did you like this article?
Check out ON TOUR
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
The Monster Energy Supercross tour is staffed by an intensely dedicated group of sponsors and support staffers. Here’s what life is like on the SX road. Page 136.
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
1) Dungey
2) Millsaps
3) Allessi
???
I don't think anyone is stopping Dungey, unless something weird happens. If Millsaps can get some speed back, he could be a factor for 2nd, and I didn't know that about Metcalfe. Maybe he will turn it on and start riding up front. I remember last year he was finishing 3rd most races at the end of the year, and he even won Southwick when RV & RD had an off day.
I think Short has done well at Budds Creek in the past, too. I'll predict:
1. Dungey
2. Alessi
3. Short
4. Weimer
5. Millsaps
DUNGEY IS A MACHINE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe it is not FOX News but how many of you read the paper everyday cover to cover? to know what is going on in the world?
now back to Motocross! I reallly hope Roczen can pull of one! when he does it might trigger stuff. I think it will be Southwick when he makes it. I am amazed at Baggets ability to turn it on at the last! I do like Barcia also and Tomack is turning in to a macfhine like Dungey. Tommorow is race day!
LETS RACE!!!!
I really think this is gonna be Roczen's weekend. He has been there the last couple days riding and has time to get used to the track, and he knows he has the speed now. Just keep it upright!!
Also to all of you old farts like me, lets get DC to give us a forum also! Hey Davey you think that is a good idea? I know you like the old stuff. I gotta see if I can get my 75 Monoshock back together. Then I will puter around the course and show my boy Bradshaw how to ride the old bikes, just kiddin with ya Damon.
@ BillC Handlebardrager BD25 Calsbad(gee I wish I could have raced that track) and all of you other peiople like me that liked the early days lets see id DC will give us a forum? How many of you built your first long travel bike? @ BD25 those TM125s woud ovewr heat at the ten to 12 mminute mark and start loosing power. The first Elsinored were Piston port bikes. How many of you remember that? OH and I mis the smell of Castor oil in the mornings!
Ya Go Ken Roczen, you can do it it is now all in your mind. Even though I am a Yamaha man from the begining of MX I think KTM is gonna make a big change now in the annals of Motocross, I am happy for KTM. Ya know I just thought about it I dont think I ever raced either a KTM or a Penton. I did race a Rickman once. A Maico 125 rotoray valve and tried a 77 125 Husky, dont ask me about that. Oh I also raced a 74 BSA 500Victor punched out to 600cc, had a chenney frame Cerrani forks and we moved the shocks forward and put Bilstien shocks on it. That wa an experiance.
Not on topic, but bummer news for people near this track.
http://www.azcentral.com/community/westvalley/articles/2012/06/07/20120607speedworld-must-close-maricopa-county-says.html
Racing in the 250s has been fantastic.
Some may think the 450s boring, but I appreciate the artistry, for lack of a better term, of someone going faster than everyone, but using good technique to make it look smooth and easy. Dungey reminds me a lot of Bailey.
@welker ....i feel your pain.......rickman(zundapp) ,maico125,husky125 ...if you included a cz125 you would have ridden the 4 slowest 125's ever built....i know some of them could be made to run ok but those were some slow bikes.....i love all the guys going out on a limb to pick Dungey.....real risk takers...lol Go KRoc just to throw a wrench in it......I hope Brayton has a Yamaha to practice on cause the Honda won't be around much longer unless he picks it up big time....
Racin' been too good. I'm speechless!
@Welker
74 YZ125
Moved up Boge shocks added coolers
250 forks with air
Thing would fly up the Carlsbad freeway
JimM
Pala374
@ Mr MX
Like your 125 pics but ....
450 cc class
1. Ryan Dungey
2. Mike Alessi
3. Jake Weimer
4. Davi Millspas
JimM
Pala374
@ Mr MX... If that is the biggest story in your area I feel bad for you. I do not understand getting so exciteed over people hitting a little ball around a grass field... A very good friend of mine plays golf all the time. He is a broken down 60 year old alchoholic who plays bogey golf, he sometimes gets into the mid 80s. So it does not appear to take a great deal of athletic skill to do fairly well. Having said that, I am lucky to break 105, but I only golf once or twice a year.
250
Bagget
Rocsen
Tomac
Barcia
450
Dungey
Weimer
Allessi
Short
The Left Coast Seven Weather Heaven; Brought to you by request of; Mr-MX
Saturday June 16th 2012 (Averages) Between the Hours of 11:00 - 17:00
Where: Putuxent River, Maryland
Temperature: 79
Dew Point: 54.3
Humidity: 42.3%
Barometric Pressure: 30.24 (stable)
Wind: 12 mph NE
Conditions: Cloud Cover 37% Clearing to 24%
Probability of Precipitation: "Zero, Big Daddy"
Out on a Limb Prediction: "Dungey by a Nose"
On the face of Pinocchio after his first prom date interrogation by Gepetto when asked; "Did you leave any slivers behind she'll remember you by..."
@ Mr MX... Point taken
Welker Yes, those TM's did lose power, but around here at the time the races were 3 moto 5 lap races, so it would do OK...We did move the shocks forward on the TM...dont know that it helped, except in my head. The group I rode with had the red machines,we put over sized carbs on them, Fox air shox and Mugen engine parts. never did much to the Suzukis I rode, except for the 79 RM 400, cut the pipe to increase the size of hole in the back pressure washer..
Mr Mx Yes, always good to chat with you, enjoy it, as you tell a good story and know your moto very well!! Hope these other guys on here are not tired of our rantings ..as I look back we have made alot of posts...hope it is of some entertainment value to every one...
Bucky Millville is getting close, still tryin to talk the wife into letting me hit the rode on the V-rod so we can have a cold one in Zumbro Falls ..
BillC..Enjoyed chatting with you this week also..Hope you and all the other dads on here have a safe and wonderful Father's Day..
250's; 1. Tomac the Terrible 2. Kroc 3. Bad Boy Baggett 4. BamBam 5. MM
450's: 1.Locomotive 2.Mikey A 3. Saps 4.Metty 5. Baby Face (Weimer)
If it wasnt for injuries, Dungey would be fifth in points.
@ Kilroy.... If Rickey Carmichael wasn't 33 years old and out of MX shape he would be in first place.
@ Kilroy
Maybe we saw different races.........2 races in I saw Dungey looking like was laying back on Stewart,wearing him down, waiting and way more in control.
He and Roger D were executing their plan.
JimM
Pala374
@yzfsean
Everyone shoots 105 ............................... Trust me bogey golf is good !
I know a broken down 60 year old you should school at Pala.
JimM
Pala374
I am so tired of everyone writing off Wharton! I hope he takes it all tomorrow, then maybe people will sit up and take him seriously!
Sarah65 I to am a fan of Wharton, not forgetting about him, would be great to see him suprise every one! He has all the skills, but he was off the bike for a year with his dbl shoulder surgery. While the others were out gettng faster Blake was healing. I think this year will get him back in the swing of things and next year we will see Blake back challenging for wins on a weekly basis..