I was home this past week before Atlanta, and decided to go out to our local track, ET Motopark. This was my first time since becoming Miss Supercross. My brother was injured with a broken wrist, but it was finally healed up! When I arrived I was really excited to see all my friends and motorcross "family." It was such an incredible feeling when people from my own city wanted pictures and autographs. To me, nothing changed. I was still Cody Gaupel’s sister. I am honored and feel like the luckiest girl alive. So far, the Miss Supercross crown is more than a dream come true and still has yet to set in as reality. While being at ET Motopark, it was good to see Chris Blose and local Pro Buddi Bruner out there riding. It was just like old times. Shout out to Lites rider, Rhett Urseth, who injured his arm in the Heat race at San Diego. Hope it heals fast bud!
It was my first time in Atlanta, but it definitely won't be my last! Hopefully the next time I come I'll be able to find my way through the airport a little easier. That place is HUGE! Thanks to two very helpful men coming back from Las Vegas, I managed to find my way.
On Saturday morning it was off to the world famous Georgia Dome. It still amazes me how that roof stays afloat! During the day, I got the honor of being interviewed on the 96.1 radio show. This was my first time, and I loved it! Soon after that it was finally my time with the fans! I know I say it every week, but this truly is my favorite time of the day. The pits where inside the dome and the crowd turnout was huge. I got to meet so many interesting people. One guy came up to me wearing a Snuggie! For all you that don't know what that is, look into it, best invention yet! Next thing I knew, I had been with the fans for over 2 hours! I just could not get enough. They were so much fun!!
I was really excited for the racing because it was the 2nd round of the East Coast Lites. Austin Stroupe got out to a great start in the main and set a blistering pace. His teammate and points leader, Christophe Pourcel, had a hard time keeping up. Stroupe, on lap 9, had unfortunately stalled his bike in the right hand turn after the finish line double. This incident allowed Pourcel to overtake the lead, and win the Main Event. Nico Izzy, who made it through the LCQ, finished a strong 2nd. Martin Davalos got his first podium of the year running a close 3rd.
Could James Stewart make it 7 wins in a row, or would defending Champion Chad Reed bring his 6 race win streak to a holt? The gate dropped and the crowd was on their feet! Stewart, Hepler, Villopoto and Reed got out to great starts. Stewart once again was in the lead and checking out. Villopoto and Reed both got around Broc Hepler. Chad set his sights on the #2 machine of Villopoto and got around him on lap 13. Stewart once again took the Supercross Main Event win making it 7 in-a-row, with Chad Reed in 2nd, and Ryan Villopoto finishing out the top 3!
It just keeps getting better race fans!! I hope to see everyone, who is anyone, out at Indy!! It will be a race we will never forget!!
