Shayna Texter: "The fans are the real reason why I continue to race when it’s tough."
Shayna Texter's clutch American Flat Track Singles victory at the Arizona Mile saw the popular Richie Morris Racing rider stand atop the podium for the first time in nearly four years.
While that welcome return has been a long time coming, she'd been building up to that level of success in recent outings by scoring consecutive third- and second-place performances heading into this season's first stop at a Mile.
Texter rode with precision and confidence around Turf Paradise, and now it doesn't seem at all outlandish to think she might actually expand her championship advantage as the series visits four more Miles over the next five weeks.
While Texter is determined to immediately follow up a wins drought with a win streak, she's the first to admit that addressing her weaknesses may prove just as important as playing to her strengths if she hopes to claim the 2017 AFT Singles crown.
How does it feel to get back to winning?
It’s been a long time since I’ve won. It’s been a couple years, and like I said, it’s been a rough couple years. It’s a huge step in the right direction to get back on track for myself. It’s rewarding to the team to reward them and show them that all of their hard work is paying off. It’s an exciting future for RMR racing.
What does it mean for you to have so much support from these fans?
It’s incredible. The fans are the real reason why I continue to race when it’s tough. To see the look on the little girls and women and men even also come up to you and tell you you’re an inspiration, that inspires me to keep riding. To have their support means everything.
How do you feel having these string of miles? Five in a row.
We got five in a row but we also got a TT in there in the mix at Springfield. I know my weaknesses are TT’s and I’ve been working really hard trying to just get into that main event is my goal. Sacramento, I’ve won there twice in the past. I definitely like mile racing, so I’m excited to try and keep this ball rolling and keep the points lead.