The Swap Meet

Daytona, Fla. ~ There is widespread acclaim for the supercross track in Daytona, Fla. Some industry experts say it is one of the most anticipated and challenging races of the season. Others say the race separates the men from the boys. Last weekend, Team AMSOIL/Chaparral/Honda showed why they are one of the sport's elite teams by taking home a podium finish in each class.

Heading into the weekend, AMSOIL teammates Kevin Windham and Mike LaRocco were battling for third in the poin's race behind Ricky Carmichael and Chad Reed. Every week during the AMA Supercross Series, the two riders have been swapping places in the standings. Windham held a seven-point lead going into the weekend.

It would prove to be LaRocco's weekend at the challenging track. The 34-year-old veteran let his hard work and dedication pay off at Daytona International Raceway last Friday. In the qualifying round, a great start helped The Rock finish second, an automatic bid for the main event.

During the main event he came out of the gates in third behind Reed and Carmichael. LaRocco's consistent and mistake-free riding kept him in that position throughout the entire race. He crossed the finish line and walked away with a well-deserved third.

Windham continued to expand on his point total in the 250cc class. "K-Dub" looked solid in the qualifiers and ended up shooting through to the main event with a second place finish. During the main, he headed out of the gates in sixth. After making a couple of moves, he finished the final in fifth.

Windham remains in third in the 250cc AMA THQ Supercross Point Standings. LaRocco held on to the fourth spot with his third place finish.

Rookie Rush

Daytona, Fla. ~ Josh Grant is considered one of the greatest amateur motocross riders in the history of the sport. He won numerous times at Loretta Lynn's to go with his countless regional and state titles. But before this year, the rookie rider for Team AMSOIL/Chaparral/Honda had never taken a spin on an AMA sanctioned supercross track, in front of 40,000 plus people, with ESPN 2 coverage and a major title sponsor looking on. It only took the 19-year-old four races to prove he had the make-up of a future champion.

Grant started the 125cc qualifier in 12th, but showed off his speed and confidence by working his way into 10th. During the final lap, Grant passed two riders to finish eight. That was enough to propel him into the final.

Grant used his strong finish in the qualifiers to take charge right away in the 125cc main. The Florida native busted out of the gates ahead of the pack, grabbing the Butterfinger hole shot award. Grant would battle veteran Josh Hansen for the entire race, maintaining the lead throughout. During the last lap, Hansen tried to pass Grant but instead crashed into the Team AMSOIL rider. Both men were knocked off, but both bikes kept running. Hanson got back on his bike a little faster than Grant to take the lead. Grant would fly across the finish line in second and take home his first professional podium.

Grant now sits in sixth in the 125cc East Coast THQ AMA Supercross point standings. His teammate, Joaquim Rodrigues, finished eighth in Daytona and continues to sit in eighth in the point's race.

Be sure to catch the AMSOIL/Chaparral/Honda team at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla. this Saturday. This year's races will receive two hours of next day coverage on ESPN2. Be sure to check your listings for show times.

Photo Finish

Pontiac, Mich. ~ Autumn Woods Racing has wrapped up its season in the USHRA. The final event was held last weekend in Pontiac, Mich. The Silver Dome was sold out for two days of non-stop excitement. The General Lee made it through his one-on-one bracket to make the final. That's were a photo finish would show the "General" in second place. Jeff Dedick finished second overall in the USHRA Stadium Truck Racing Series.

Autumn Woods Racing has returned home to Illinois to finish up building their new truck, which will debut in Fredericksburg, Texas.

PJ's Return

Hanford, Calif. ~ One of the youngest riders for Team AMSOIL has returned to the track. P.J. Osmer took his bike to Hanford, Calif. Last weekend. In the 85cc class, he finished second in the heat, but held on for the win in the main. In the 125cc, 4-stroke class, he again took a second in the heat. While running second in the main, he hit the leaders back tire and crashed, but was able to get back on his bike to finish third.