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| JT Talks - St. Louis, 2008 |
| Jason Thomas |
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St. Louis marks 3 races left. The series is winding down, yet for some its crunch time for championships, privateer awards, etc. I am in a battle for a top 3 finish in the Pro Privateer Challenge. Myself, Troy Adams, and Eric Sorby are all close enough that it's anyone's race. I have been really nervous and working extra hard to try to finish the series strong. Its a stressful thing with all of the Lites riders in the SX class along with the Arenacross regulars. Qualifying for the main event is harder than ever and there is no room for error. I knew I needed to perform to my potential in St. Louis, as well as the last 2 rounds in Seattle and Las Vegas as well.
Practice was decent for me... I felt fast and was confident but had wished my times were a little better. The track was really tough and rutted, making for a lot of mistakes. I picked up the pace quite a bit in the second session and ended up 13th overall. I was hoping to be 10th or better but 13th would still give me a decent gate pick for my heat race. With so many quality guys in the SX class, the start would be extremely important if I wanted to be in the main event.
I lined up on the very inside gate, hoping to get inside in the first turn and come out up front. Fortunately, I did just that. I snuck around the inside of the first turn and was 3rd or 4th in the first rhythm section. I rode really tight though and moved backwards throughout the race. I was trying to follow Chad Reed but couldn't seem to loosen up and soon found myself in a battle for the 9th position with Heath Voss. Heath made an aggressive move on me and I had no choice but to cut him off on the last lap. I was so relieved to be in the main event after such a chaotic 8 laps. I was glad to see Heath qualify in the LCQ, it was such a close race in the heat and he deserved to be in the main event. The pressure was definitely lessened knowing I would at least be in the race. Now for 20 laps.
I got a mid pack start in the main event... better than the last few weeks anyway. It was good to be further up and not have to fight for every position. I was in 10th by about halfway and just wanted the race to end as soon as possible. Vuillemin was starting to make a charge behind me and I was giving it everything I had to keep him from getting close. The track was getting worse and worse, making the big rhythms tough to keep jumping. Finally I saw the white flag and Windham snuck by DV just before the finish line to end the race. I cruised around the last lap, as no one else was on the lead lap behind me. It was nice to be able to take my time the last lap and enjoy knowing that I would be getting a good result. I was really tired from pushing so hard for the whole race. Vuillemin kept the pressure on me and I never could slow down and pace myself. Its tough to have to keep sprinting.. normally at about halfway everyone finds a pace and it calms down. I will take it anyway I can get it though, and with 2 rounds left its time to leave it all on the track. I
Next weekend is Seattle, a race notorious for bad weather. The forecast is looking decent so far and I hope we can have a good track. With the Lites championship on the line, as well as a close SX points chase, I think everyone wants mother nature to smile on us. Regardless, I have to be ready for any situation and be at 100% of my potential. That's my goal for the last 2 races... give it everything I have, every lap. If it works out, great... if not, I will know I have given all I could.
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