I have now found out that I am IN LOVE with Florida. It’s so gorgeous; I did not want to leave! Flying into Jacksonville took about 5 hours, but it was worth it. I was getting ready to board my plane in Phoenix, when a couple standing behind me recognized me. This made me so happy! Their names where Cat and Mike. Sweetest couple I have ever met. They sat right in front of me on the plane, and I got to know them a little more. This was their first Monster Energy® Supercross this year. When we arrived in Jacksonville, they mentioned they where staying in the Hyatt. So was I! They nicely asked me if I needed a ride and I accepted. If that was not ironic enough, they were even on the same floor as me, and where leaving the same time as me Sunday morning. So, they pretty much adopted me for the weekend. Thank you guys!
On Saturday morning, I opened the hotel curtains and was amazed. I had an incredible view of the river and city. There was not a cloud in the sky, which made it a perfect day for Monster Energy® Supercross. When I arrived at the stadium, I noticed that there were palm trees everywhere and the stadium was huge! I felt like I was in a Brad Pitt movie, or Miami Vice. We could not have asked for better weather. It was about 85 degrees with no humidity. While watching practice I even got in a little sun tan. :)
Thankfully, Jacksonville had a pit party! This meant I got to meet everyone. The energy was so high and everyone was having a blast. I probably met about 2,000 people while standing out there, no joke! People where so nice. I had one young man say that I was the only reason he came to Monster Energy® Supercross, and he was my biggest fan. I felt like I wanted to cry! I never thought in a million years someone would say that to me. In my eyes, I’m just a fan too, in a Miss Supercross outfit.
If you did not have a chance to go to Jacksonville, you definitely missed out on the best racing I have ever seen. There was not a dull moment the entire night! It started with the lites. Will Hahn was killing it in the first heat. He just came out of nowhere and did a fantastic job. Pourcel came out on top in heat 2. It finally got dark in Jacksonville before the lites main. The intensity grew. Will Hahn, again, with the holeshot! Nicco Izzi had the third place position when he went down with only one turn to the finish line. Pourcel showed us why he was the East Coast Lites Champion by taking the victory, Will Hahn in second and Austin Stroup in third.
Supercross Main event was anything but boring. James and Chad where just insane. Chad Reed was in first place with Stewart breathing down his neck the entire time. These two where lapping all the way up to 7th place! I was right there on the track and could not keep my eyes off of them. James started to pull Reed in around the 14th lap. Then it was just back and forth between them for the first place position. They both want this overall victory more than anything. You can see it with the way they ride. Stewart ended up taking the victory. They where exchanging words after the race on the podium, and I was right there next to them. I don’t blame them though. This is a huge opportunity for both of them, there is bound to be heated moments. (I LOVE IT)
James and Chad where not the only ones battling for a top-5 position. The battle for 4th was also in the making between Andrew Short and Josh Grant. The ending results were Stewart, Reed and Kevin Windham with a strong third place. Kevin had third in the bag the entire time.
Well, this weekend is a,” bye” week, due to the Easter holiday. I wish everyone a Happy Easter and hope your ready for Seattle. Who knows what will happen next! West Coast Lites are back.
