Red Bud on America’s birthday is something I have not experienced and I got the full menu over the weekend. Between huge storms, tents blowing away, fights breaking out in the parking lot, a tough track, great racing and thousands of fans, it was a weekend I couldn’t forget. Here are some things I witnessed from the race on 4th of July.
Ryder D: Well I called this a little premature as I thought Ryder would have done this a lot earlier but nonetheless he made it happen at a special place. I witnessed Ryder’s ride in the second moto first hand and it was a dig. With Ryder, Cochran and Levi all tied on points in the second moto, “The D” made it happen. Red Bud was hot and sticky and you can tell it wore on a lot of guys but it looks like Ryder’s fitness paid dividends in the second moto compared to Levi and Casey’s fitness.
Shimoda: Sushi is the points leader and it’s going to be a dogfight between Davies, Kitchen and Shimoda it seems. I was high on Beaumer after High Point but Red Bud was NOT kind to 23 at all. I spoke with Mitch Payton at the hotel after the race and he even mentioned how good Shimoda’s lines were the second moto. Red Bud had these nice “looking” outside berms built up everywhere but they were very sloppy/muddy. A lot of guys were using them but sinking in. Mitch commented on how well Jo rode just below that “sink zone” everywhere. Good bants after the race about other riders with Mitch.
Carson Mumford: Shout out to Mumford and the AEO Powersports KTM team with some kick ass results with the 71. Another top ten for Carson this year (as that marks two so far). This is the best Mumford we have seen in a long time. The team is NOT getting the Husqvarna help they thought they were going to get in 2027 so maybe look for them to be on another brand come next season.
Casey Cochran: Ok, here we go! Coming from amateurs, I thought this kid was going to be the NEXT thing but injuries have de-railed some of the momentum but we are seeing some glimpses of these speed that I knew was there. A fourth place in a 250 class that is as stacked as this is really good news for his contract talks for next year. We have been hearing Cochran linked to maybe Phoenix Honda or possibly Bar X Husqvarna for next season . If he keeps getting these top 5’s we may be seeing him on a factory bike but in an orange color. Stranger things have happened.
Hunter: This Lawrence straight up passed the other Lawrence in the first moto to go on and win the damn thing but an odd tip over on the last lap let the other Lawrence win. The second moto, Jorge was gone (like a full straight gone) and I watched as the older Lawrence obliviate sector 6 (from Laroccos Leap to finish). He was gaining almost a second from that sector every lap. Hunter was just on another level of fitness compared to Jorge. Jorge had that sprint speed early with a side of hops but that didn’t find its way all the way to the finish. Hunter and Jett are just on another level compared to everyone else (yes, even Deegs).
RJ Hampshire: A 4-4 for the guy who rides harder than anyone on the track. I was watching near the sand rollers and I can remember saying “oh shit” at least a couple times when RJ went through that section. RJ rides Red Bud well but don’t count him out for Southwick either. Look for RJ on a red bike next year.
Antonio Cairoli: Not bad for a 40 year old! A 12-13 for 12th o/a is probably not what he wanted but honestly for racing a bike that is being developed while he’s racing and being 40, I am sure he will improve at Southwick. I heard he hasn’t been doing much of any type of “training motos” so to line up in a pretty hot race which was really technical was impressive. Go Fast Eat Pasta!
Red Bud Experience: This was our first time at Red Bud for race weekend and I can tell you it was an experience. The fan base on the east coast is so much more die hard than the west coast as we met so many fans that actually knew A TON of history about the sport (and Red Bud). Getting out of the park on Saturday evening however was a nightmare but other than that it was something that I think eery moto fan should at least see one time in their life. REEEEEED BUUUUUUUUUD..
