Seattle, Washington

I can’t even begin to tell you what a relief it is that Joe is riding back to his normal potential! It’s a difficult thing dealing with an injury, riding the fence for so long debating on continuing and then taking that big leap of faith to try it one more time.

It’s hard for me to not be proud of what Joe has accomplished. He has taken a situation and turned a positive spin on it. I can’t tell you the amount of people that continually come up to me and say how happy they are to see Joe back out there where he belongs…some of them I don’t even know! I have heard many stories as to what an inspiration it is for them or someone they know or how they are pumped to see an “Average Joe” out there fighting for his place in the sport.

With that of course comes criticism. I have had others tell me that they were bummed to see Joe get off the KTM’s…and let me tell you it wasn’t an easy decision for him to make. KTM’s were his first choice this 2007 Supercross season. However, when it came down to it, he just didn’t feel as comfortable on them as he did the Kawasaki at the beginning of the year. He couldn’t get his flow going the way he remembered it…so, he made the decision and that was that.

For all of those that think it was a good, bad, or equal decision…let me just say this. Joe had absolutely nothing wrong with the KTM’s or the other four brands he rode back in 2006 when he was testing the 2007 models. Plain and simple, he just feels more like himself on the bike. No hard feelings, no hidden agendas…he just felt like Joe. It’s like having someone change from Ford to Chevrolet…it’s a personal preference and that’s that.

I apologize for harping on that subject, but lately the rumors going around about his change and the reasons why aren’t true as the above mentioned states.

Moving on…this week was a good recovery week for Joe. He had such a bad weekend in Detroit, that he wanted to rejuvenate himself…and that he did! He got an 8 th place start in the heat and ended up finishing 9 th to make it into the main event.

In the main, he came out about 12 th and wound up 16 th after a bobble in the first few laps. With the moisture in the track, it was extremely hard for him to get comfortable with all the ruts and lines. All in all though, he was able to salvage some series points.

I have to say that I couldn’t be happier for him. Since he turned pro in 1995, he has had a national number for 7 of those 12 years. This year being the first since 1998 that he didn’t have a 2 digit number. Hopefully, if things go in his favor, he will have one this year with his finishes.

You won’t see Joe in the outdoors, unless something comes up and we get a call to go racing. So, keep an eye out for the 115 in Vegas this weekend. It will be a great end to a terrific season for the comeback kid himself!