Wiregrass Day Two Brings High-Wattage Racing

Day Two of the 2010 ABA Wiregrass Nationals was run with the efficiency for which the ABA is known, the world over. Starting precisely at the stroke of eight, two hours and 59 minutes later, two rounds of 92 motos, four semis and 76 mains were through the gate. Though a hallmark of the ABA team, the hustle today had a special motivation: a big green blob approaching from the West. The storms seemed to park two counties to the left, as if held back by a big ol traffic cop, while BMXers held office hours at Circle City BMX.

The pro ranks were roughly the same composition as on day one, with Dennison Smith and Logan Collins doing battle, ultimately ending up first and second, as on day one… though Logan did mount a pulse-quickening assault into the last turn of the main. Still, Sun Brü’s favorite son held the lead, and made off with twin pro wins for the weekend.

The Junior Development classes were also in redux mode, with Jordan Miranda and Samantha Brown serving a beat down to their comp for the second day running, and bringing home double-first place points to California and Indiana, respectively.

Though plenty exciting to see the pros lay down the ponies, the carbon copy results doesn’t give us much room to write. Thus, we turn to classes like 6 expert, where Ethan “The Bull” Moore was going from last place to second in the first round, after a bad start (Ultimate finish for the day: first). Or 15 expert, where Tyler Whitfield got called for a 30-foot rule violation, and invited to make a rare second round appearance (more on 15x in a minute).

Come main time, 7 expert provided some needed chills and thrills. “Zach Attack” Jacobs came out of the first straight, and onto the crossover in the lead, but had Saturday’s winner, Cooper Sheldon stalking the lead in second, then third. Into the last turn, Zach had held the lead, and put his first ABA National Expert Win in the books. Sheldon ended up on the ground after a last turn washout, and ended the weekend on a 1-8 split.

Change also came to 10x today, when Justin Hendley handled Tyshawn Carr for a win. The 19-27x class also had some dynamic racing on Sunday, with Seth Utz besting Brandon Elmore and John Anderson, who had the first two podium spots on Saturday.

But it was the 15x main that was the oxygen-needed race of the day. Snap Factory teammates, Tyler Whitfield and Alan Struna battle regularly on the track, at least for some of the year (when not on the track, they are friendly competitors in throwing Yahtzee in the trailer). The two threw down in a big way for Sunday’s main, with Struna having the slight edge going into the last turn. Tyler hopped and heaved his manual magic down the last straight, and the finish was close…realy close. The scorer called the race for struna, but it went to the video. Under the proverbial hood, it was told to us that the race was a virtual tie. So, what happens then? Well, if you’ve listened at your riders meeting, you’d know that the call of the scorer is final if the video cannot determine a winner. Thus, Alan Struna took home the highest hardware this day (Whitfield got it on Saturday).

Check out Sunday’s Dothan Photo Gallery

With 29 hours spent in the car, 1720 miles in the rearview, and 400 photos clicked off, the 2010 Wiregrass Nationals is part of BMX History. The ABA has had a great result out of their first national in the State of Alabama, and has pulled up stakes for Albuquerque. The next race we’ll be bringing you is the ABA Midwest Nationals in Rockford, IL over Father’s Day weekend.

Day Two Race Results

It’s Dennison on Day One in Dothan!

The first running of the ABA Wiregrass Nationals saw attendance from as far west as California, as far North as Minnesota, and even Florida, where the NBL State Championships were happening, in a parallel BMX universe.

It was not at all uncommon to hear “12, 14, 16 hours” as the answer to the “How long it take you?” question.

The southern hospitality was dialed up to “high” by the track crew, led by Track Operator, Mr. Wellington Cannon, as well as by unoffical Grand Marshals and ambassadors of goodwill to the festivities, Stuart Harrison and Richard Bunt.

Action stepped off on cue, at 11:30, with 92 motos in-and-through the chutes.

The A Pro Class had two racks, with 13 riders total. Dennison “Black Daddy” Smith and Logan Collins had a firm hold on the class all day, with Brandon “Butterman” Hopkins and Jason LaRev (fresh back from Copenhagen). And, wouldn’t you know…it finished just that way in the main.

A spectacular loop-out digger in the first round brought 7x contenda, Andres Papajohn to the canvas (see photo of the moment before the loopout…would have been a great shot, had he landed it). Props go to his mom for being a well-trained ABA BMX parent and, though she was standing only a dozen feet away, did not run on to the track as the ABA officials were tending to him (until called over).

DK’s Spencer “Coletrain” Cole trucked on home to win the 8x main, after a battle with Trey Maeker turned ugly (for Trey) going in the first turn.

Fortunes turned in 14x, as Cody Dziak ceded control of the main to Brandon Ceslok, a win that helped the Snap Factory Team score their first teamsheet win by two points over Sun Brü

Always good to see Shan Hatfield up top of the pack (in the 20th or 21st century). First in 36-40x.

Bummer for Jon Jon Rapp, who went down hard on the first lap of JDP during the Pre-Race, and bought himself the attention of some pretty nurses at the local patchup parlor…looks like a few weeks off, minimum. while the kid’s kidneys kick it.

BMXNEWS is going to be producing a special Web Zine PDF from the Wiregrass nationals, which will be available mid-next week. Inside, we’ll have more from the Wiregrass, as well as some interviews and a couple “head to toe” features. Be sure to check it out.

Meanwhile, check out the Photo Gallery From Saturday’s Race

Results, on ABABMX.COM

Just Don’t Sing “Sweet Home Alabama!”

BMXNEWS is heading to the sweltering South this weekend to bring you story and photos from the ABA Wiregrass Nationals in Dothan, AL. In much the same way as nobody who is from there calls Los Angeles “LA,” we have been advised to ease-off on the “Sweet Home Alabama” references. Well, the opening chord lives eternally in our memory, so if one slips out, please forgive. We have stocked the iPod playlist with Southern Rock favorites, and even packed a shirt with the arms cut off.

Watch for story and photo gold to start surfacing late Friday night, and on through the weekend. Follow “BMXNOW” on Twitter for as-they-happen updates from the infield. We need to find out what “wiregrass” truly is, so if any of you want to point some out to us, we’d be much obliged.

Punch in on Thursday For Practice at the Wiregrass

When the ABA schedule was first unearthed in the fall of last year, many thought that the first running of the Wiregrass Nationals in Dothan, AL would be a nice race, on the smaller side of par. But as the weekend draws near, it is coming clear that this may be the little National that could! All hands are on deck to make sure all who venture down get a clear picture of what Southern hospitality is all about. BMXNEWS reported last month about the prize purse the local visitors bureau is putting up to attract throngs from local tracks, and now Circle City BMX is adding a well-placed paid practice the day before the rigs of the masses roll into town.

Here’s how Circle City Evangelist Stu Harrison laid it out to “News”

Wiregrass Nationals – Early Bird Special – Open Practice
Thursday, May 13th – 2pm till 8pm, cost $10.00

For those coming into town early for the Wiregrass Nationals, May 14-16, 2010, here is your chance to get six (6) extra hours of gate and track practice at this beautiful facility. Come experience the blistering first straight speeds and the almost famous crossover, without having to rush to get those extra gates in during your Friday and Saturday scheduled practice.

The cost is $10 per rider for the six-hour session.

We look forward to seeing you in Dothan next week, see the countdown clock at the www.circlecitybmx.com site to see it.

BMXNEWS will be in the house for the Friday-Sunday festivities, so be sure to keep it here for story and photo finery!