“Blackhawk is what I consider my home track. I have the most experience there and always want to do better when I race there,” explained Stumpy. “My previous best times were in the 1:14 range and I broke into the 1:13s and ran them consistently. Next time, I want a 1:12!”
Beautiful weather and record attendance made for large grids this weekend and the competition was tough. “I had to put my head down and race hard just to manage top ten finishes, let alone top five,” said Stumpy. “I was plagued with brake problems Saturday. Sunday I got the brake issue resolved and got on the right tire and it all just came to me.”
Stumpy laid down his fastest times in Middleweight Supersport where he battled 25 other bikes for a 5th place finish. “It was a fun race, but no mistakes can be made with the competition I was facing.” He hoped to carry that momentum on to the Unlimited GP where he had an awesome start and started to carry some good speed. “I put down two great laps and was headed toward the front when I came into turn one too hot, turned the bike in very low and the frame-slider hit the ground and I was down.” Stumpy slid just off the track and he and the bike got back up unscathed and rode out the rest of the race. “The bike was fine, except for the ground down frame slider. I gouged my elbow, but it wasn’t enough to put me out for the day.”
Stumpy went back out in the next race, Heavyweight Superbike determined to pick up where he left off before the fall and finished in fifth place again. Then, in the last race of the day, Middleweight Superbike, Stumpy rode off the track in turn one again when he came in too fast. “I was battling Dan Ortega for 4th place and tried late-braking him into turn one. Well you can’t always late-brake a late-braker and there was no way I was going to make the turn so I just rode off without falling and came back on in 12th place.” Stumpy got out of the slower traffic and worked his way back to 8th place to finish the weekend.
“I have to congratulate teammate Ryan Johnson on the Amateur No. 407 Honda 600rr for his four wins this weekend,” added Stumpy. “Johnson raced awesome all weekend and it was good to see him in the front of his races!”
Stumpy is currently ranked #1 of over 175 in both the CCS Midwest and Great Plains regions.
Team Stumpy Racing is supported by Team Stumpy Racing is supported by Signs Unlimited, JC Powersports, Lockhart Phillips USA, Lithium Motorsports, Spy Sunglasses provided by Casualties Skate and Snow, Trek Bicycles provided by Sports Rack of Marquette, Stomp Pads, Water Joe by Tasson Distributing, Viosport, Goodwin’s Auto, Seacoast Vitamins, Joe's Gym, Arai Helmets, Sharkskinz, Michelin, Vesrah, Vortex Sprockets, Woodcraft, Oxtar boots, and Chicken Hawk Racing.
