(August 29, 2012) - This past weekend was the Indy Mile in Indianapolis, Indiana. Based on the number of riders signed up and MotoGp being the next day, I would consider this one of the biggest races of the year. I didn't know what to expect heading into this event. This would be my third mile and first mile being on the Weirbach Racing team. I thought I could have another podium finish since I had a 4th place at the previous mile in Sacramento, California.

I started out the day by meeting Ted Weirbach for the first time and then looking over the bike and discussing bike setup. I walked out onto the track and saw that it was a cushion. I asked some riders that previously rode this track how it would be and they told me it would groove up, which is to my liking. I went out for the free practice and struggled with set up and the track. The gearing was off and I qualified 25th. We changed the gearing and I qualified 20th in the next session. Dick and I made some more changes with gearing and suspension for the heat race.

My poor qualifying position put me on the back row for the heat. I got a great start and was in about 4th place. I started falling back a little bit but then started to figure out the track. I was riding the first half of the race in about 6th place but then started to pass riders every lap. I caught up to the top 3 and finished the heat in the third position.

Right before the main event, Dick and I decided to make a last minute gearing change. I was lined up on the first row, second from the outside. The race started and I got a horrible start. Somehow I got up to second place but then overshot turn 3. The race was red flagged due to a crash in turn 2. I got the whole shot on the restart and led the first couple of laps. Vandekuur, Palmer, and I battled the whole race, passing each other a couple times a lap. The white flag came out and I felt like I was in a position to win. I slipped up a little in turn 3 and Vandekuur pulled away. I caught up just to finish .057 seconds behind. This second place was very good for me and the team and gives me good confidence for the rest of the races.

The next race is Springfield, Illinois with a short track on Saturday and the mile on Sunday. Stop by the pit and say hey!

Dominic Colindres 66Y