Well, things changed drastically for Joe in a few days time.  Last week, a press release went out with Joe signing on with a new team.  When Joe returned from Germany, he discovered that things weren’t going to work out and withdrew from the team.  This all happened on Wednesday of this week. 

Needless to say, our house was in crazy mode for a couple of days with Joe deciding that he would in fact start off his 2008 Supercross season at Anaheim 2.  He was able to do ride some on Thursday all the while continuing to make calls to his sponsors that he had to leave behind when this deal came about.  By the end of the day on Thursday, Joe had his core needs met – suspension and gear. 

We were put in a bad situation at the end of December when Joe didn’t have any bikes.  His current supporter of bikes was not able to help out again, so for the first time in 12 years, Joe had to purchase a bike.  He bought the bike knowing that it would be his practice bike until his race bikes came along…well, that never happened.

With Joe deciding to race this weekend, he basically threw together the only bike that he has.  From support of Pro Circuit, they were able to help him out tremendously by getting the suspension and few other pieces together for him…we can’t thank them enough for standing behind Joe!  It was a little rough getting everything that Joe needed for the bike being that we weren’t prepared to use that as his race bike.  In the end though, it all came together.

I spent Friday running some errands for Joe to get him his suspension along with his gear and some parts from Answer/Pro Taper.  Those guys really stepped it up for Joe too.  It is nice that Joe has been able to meet such great people along the way that are always there to help out if Joe needs it. 

So with the prepping done, Joe set out on Saturday morning at 7am to find a spot in the back 40 of the Anaheim Privateer Pits.  He was able to get through practice feeling pretty good about the different layout than what he was used to.  The bike held up great and he was able to get some other support from Bridgestone for tires.

Joe was in the first heat and ended up 13th after a not so great start.  He battled hard and was able to get around some pile ups that others couldn’t avoid.  He went into the LCQ hoping for a better start, but that didn’t happen as he got pushed out wide at the first turn.  Joe ended up 16th in the LCQ which doesn’t say much.  From 4th to 18th, there was a freight train that was less than a second apart each.  Everyone was running the same lap times so where you started was pretty much where you finished.

Let’s just say that Joe’s first race back wasn’t at all where he wanted or should be.  I am hoping that someone will notice national number 88 out on the track and know that he deserves much more than what he was handed this past week.  It was such a blow to us not having this deal come through at such a late date.  We are just praying it will all work out in the end…things happen for a reason we know.  We are just waiting to find out why. 

Joe will race San Francisco, Anaheim 3 and San Diego.  All Joe can do is prepare as much as possible so that he can be in a position to get what he so deserves.  Thanks again for reading, see you next week!