Race Recap // Salinas AX // April 9-10, 2016
By: Krystyn Slack
There are three professional motocross racing circuits in the US, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross, and AMSOIL Arenacross. Arenacross may have had the reputation in the past of being the “little brother” to Supercross and Pro Motocross, but this year, the series kicked it up a notch. At the end of the 2015 Arenacross season, AMSOIL debuted their “Motocross, More Intense” (#MoreIntense) tagline for the 2016 race season, and let me tell you, this was no advertising exaggeration. This season has been nothing but #MoreIntense and the racing in Salinas was no exception.
For the first time in Arenacross history (at least in recent years), the series hosted an OUTDOOR Arenacross race at the Rodeo Grounds in Salinas, CA. Being the first outdoor race in the series meant that for the first time, weather may come into play for the type of racing that would unfold. But it’s California, it doesn’t rain here, right? Wrong! An unexpected change in the forecast was a instant level up in the #MoreIntense category as the first outdoor Arenacross race also became the first mudder the riders had to navigate. Mud… so much mud! Definitely an unexpected turn of events that led to a very exciting day of racing and a shake up in the “usual suspects” on the podium.
After qualifying practice, heat races, LCQs, the Head-to-Head challenge, and two main events it would be Ben Lamay, the “Alaskan Assassin”, who claimed the overall victory in Salinas. This would be Lamay’s first overall victory of the season. We also saw an impressive ride from the number 3 of Gavin Faith who claimed victory in the Head-to-Head challenge as well as Main Event 1. Unfortunately, a lap nine mistake in Main Event 2 would leave Faith on the ground and out of contention for the overall.
For this event, I had the opportunity to represent the highly respected Motoplayground. It was an honor to be there in the infield capturing epic moments during the total mudder. I may have come home with mud up to my knees and roosted mud all over my face, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Thank you to the entire Motoplayground team for having me out and featuring my work in the May 2016 issue of MPG Digital. Keep scrolling to check out my musings on the event.
For more Salinas Arenacross photos, head on over to my gallery site. You can relive all the #MoreIntense moments from the weekend, including the amateur races here:
