Time sure goes by fast, another Daytona has already come and gone and the beginning of the 2011 season is underway.

First up was the All-Star National at Savannah, GA. Typically I struggle at this track and this being the first race back for the season makes it that much more nerve racking. This was the first year I haven’t rode a twin during Bike Week, so I was able to focus on my singles program all night. That made it nice, and to my surprise, the AMS Honda was pretty quick.

Had a good heat race battle with Cheza, Baker, & Carver. I came from last and worked my way up to a direct transfer to the main. In the main I had a horrid start and was again dead last. I didn’t panic, I just put my head down and methodically worked my way up to a 6th-place finish. I wish we had more laps, because I was having a blast and we were really moving forward.

I was excited with my evening at Savannah, and it made me excited to race at Volusia for Round 2 of the All-Star National Series. There was some rain in the area, but fortunately the day turned out to be wonderful and we got a great day of racing in. I had a pretty tough heat race with Mees, Pearson, & Texter. Fortunately, I grabbed that all-important holeshot and held the lead for a lap or two before I made a little mistake off Turn 2 and Mees snuck by. I stayed glued to his rear tire the rest of the way, but was unable to find a way by and settled for 2nd and a direct transfer to the main. In the main I got another bad start and found myself stuck in the back. I was able to very slowly pick off a few riders and finish in the 8th spot. I was pretty bummed considering how well we ran in the heat race, but I need to get better starts to put myself in better positions.

We had a few days off before the two short track nationals in Daytona. I was excited, but nervous, as I was riding a brand-new bike. The first night I struggled all day. Qualified in the 31st position and never really got anything going in the night program. I was struggling with traction really bad and I was going every which way except forward. Super disappointed in myself, as it was the first time I ever missed a Daytona GNC main and by far the worst I’ve ever performed at a grand national. Night two didn’t go much better other than timed qualifying, which I ended up in the 6th position. Once the night program was underway I again struggled with traction and went backwards. We made some radical changes from night one hoping it would make a difference, but it wasn’t meant to be. Overall I was embarrassed with my performance at the nationals and I’m going to work harder to not let it happen again. Thanks to all my sponsors who make racing possible, existing and new.