by Andy Bowyer
Rev Up: Steel City
Thursday, August 30, 2012 | 1:00 PM
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PrintHello, everyone, and welcome to the Rev Up. With two rounds remaining in the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championships, expect the intensity to become even higher. In the 250 Class, Blake Baggett has a comfortable lead and can afford to ride conservative to the series title. Ah, but being conservative can be a slippery slope. A freak mechanical, or a crash could put “Bad” Blake right back in the hornet’s nest. The ferocity of Justin Barcia and the speed of Eli Tomac snapping at his heels is a situation he doesn’t want to know. That said, I’d expect more of the same from Baggett; heroic rides to the front and most likely an overall win. He has the stuff right now and it has been his series since Hangtown. This is why we run the races though, folks. Also, it is a shame that hometown boy Darryn Durham isn’t racing because he is an absolute beast at this place.
Steel City Raceway in Delmont, PA is the scene for this Saturday afternoon’s dust up. The weatherman says sunny and mid 80’s so we should be in store for another pearl. Steel City has some parallels to her sister track High Point in that it sits in a green grass valley with a ton of elevation change and off camber corners. Two of the most poignant areas of the track are the staircase sections, and the uphill start which bends to the left then drifts off downhill. Also a parallel to High Point, the start here can produce a holeshot from almost anywhere and is far from devoid of mayhem. In addition, this course is far from one-lined. Loaded with inside/outside options a racer can make moves by charging the downhills and setting up his target. I’ve seen some amazing battles here, like Grant Langston vs. Kevin Windham, and last year’s instant classic between Ryan Villopoto and Ryan Dungey.
Steel City will play host to round 11 of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.
Andrew Fredrickson photo
The 250 Class has been hyper all summer, and they’ll be going nuts as we chase down the championship. Look for the KTM duo of Ken Roczen and Marvin Musquin to build on the momentum of their historic weekend at Unadilla. KRoc is still sans O/A, a stat he wants to drop. He’ll be salty on the dynamic Steel City design. We haven’t seen the speed of rookie Jeremy Martin yet either. He’s wounded, but a holeshot is the ultimate morphine. While newly crowned champion Ryan Dungey will likely dominate the 450s, I’d look for the surging Broc Tickle and the ever present Mike Alessi to chase him hard. Podium bonuses are very real and with only two more chances to make some cake, look for guys like Davi Millsaps, Andrew Short, Josh Grant and Nico Izzi to race with extra verve down the stretch. Also train an eye to privateer Phil Nicoletti to contend for a top five in one of the 450 motos.
It’s going to be another badass display of motocross! Steel City has a rowdy fan contingent and it should just be warm enough to see some skin from the females. Time to run again, son!
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anybody know if hart and huntington team will be riding kawi's or suzuki's this year????
???
anybody know if hart and huntington team will be riding kawi's or suzuki's this year????
???
Steel City reminds me of Matterley Basin British GP track, both set in sloping valley with plenty of elevation changes.
Well Andy you must be in a hurry? some of the "REV UP'S" really give me goose bumps. Still a good read dude.
Ya only two races left and they are both only Dungy's and Bagget's to win or loose! I think some of the guys are gonna try tto step it up and show what they have. It has been another long season. I hope Dungy has a good day and Barcia needs to show us some more of what he's got! I peronally think he is a good choice for the Des Naitions or what ever ya want to call it. I alway just called it The trophy Dee. With Roger at the helm we are in good shape. Gonna be a tough track. Whoops inside of the whoops!
I imagine most of us puter Pro's are already looking forward to next season? Just keep the knobies a diggin and
LET'S RACE!!!!!!
Yup Andy must have been in a hurry!! Either way can't wait to park my tired azz in front of the big screen Saturday night!!
OrganDoner, more than likely will be on the zook.
LOVE MX. too bad only 2 left, but cant wait for sat
I'm excited to see how Stewart performs at Steel City. His first race back was a little rough, sure, but after a week off I think he'll be rested and ready to...wait a second...GODDAMNIT!!!
I'm looking for Tomac to move into second overall this weekend. Let it be stamped.
Only two races to go until 2012's Great Outdoors comes to a close. It has been a heck of a year, one we will reminisce about later, as for now, there is still some racing to do and one champion yet to crown,so lets see what we got here...
250's: Only three things Blazing Blake needs to do, be smart, stay off the ground and finish inside the top 5, something he has had no trouble with all year. The one place he does not want to be is between Geico teammates Barcia and Tomac, who are each still in the title hunt and battling for championship points. If Blake gets close to Bam Bam and Sly Eli, well any thing could happen and most of it could be bad for Bagget. Not saying team tactics will come into play, but the Red Riders are about to enter desperation mode, with just 4 moto's to go in this championship series, they are under more pressure than Uncle Billy's home brew...Were do Roczen and Musquin figure in to the equation? They both just signed new contracts, neither has a chance for the title so you got to figure they are looking towards next year. That means no pressure on them, so they can relax, race and have fun and usually that is when you ride your best. With another mild day on tap and a semi European style track, look for them to be up front, challenging for the win...Great racing will be going on all through the field, Bogle, Wharton, Anderson, Davalos, Martin, Martin, and every one else will be trying to build some momentum and show they will be a threat next year...
450"s: The champ has been crowned, so the suspense is gone, but Dungey will want to put the #1 plated KTM out front and continue to add to his win total. Behind him, will be several riders with things to prove..Alessi wants to keep showing he can ride Dungey's pace, and gain confidence for next year..Short, Tickle and Weimer are all in a battle to secure the last spot on the championship box. Broc and Jake will also be vying for the factory Kawasaki ride beside Villopto, each wanting to prove they deserve it. Grant and Millsaps will be right there in the mix, but both of them already have rides secured and will be looking towards next year..
Some thing tells me Saturday will give us a surprise that we will be talking about next week, building up to an exciting finale at Lake Elsinore ..Ahh The Great Outdoors!!!
"With two rounds remaining in the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championships."
Thank you thank you thank you Andy, for not using the stupidest word in Motocross, "pentultimate." I dread reading about the next to last round every year, because some yahooo has to sound smart by using such a stupid term.
Codyw2051x has said penultimate for the penultimate time. Penultimate.
Codyw2051x be sure and read Racerhead, you will love it!!!