Al Lamb's Dallas Honda, Dallas Round 7 Supercross 2015

Monster energy packed AMA Supercross series round 7 took place in Arlington Texas with the three top riders from San Diego racing track last week continuing the winning momentum albeit reaching the podium on different finishing orders. For Team Honda HRC it was a mixed emotion race. Power rider, Trey Canard backed up his stellar standing in the series and second win of the season by executing a fantastic podium finish. Eventual race results was not as rosy for Cole Seely who struggled with the challenge of a course track packed with more dirt and sand than in previous years. The resulting manifold deep ruts in the course snagged Seely’s performance causing him to finish at 10th on the checkered flag.

Canard meanwhile maintained the winning streak from heat races. The jittery eight place start during the main event was soon forgotten as the rider shot through to third position close to midway point. He notched up valuable points on his steady and strong performance towards his goal of bagging the championship. Multiple challenges made the night difficult for Seely as he was compelled to take a tougher route toward championship having to progress through the LCQ. An unfortunate fall during early stages of main event put Seely at a disadvantageous position within the pack. Seely dogged his way up through sheer rider power regaining composure and his indomitable talent by ending at 10th place on the checkered flag. Eli Tomac star rider of GEICO Honda finished his stint at seventh place.

Race Highlights

It was a home race at Arlington Texas for Trey Canard and Brent Presnell, rider-mechanic duo who were only about 3.5 hours ride away from hometown Shawnee Oklahoma. The autograph signing session was packed with Canard fans spending hours in line to meet their hero rider. Canard overwhelmed with his reception said that he loved coming to Dallas as it was a very close race to his hometown. ‘The fans here are so awesome. Every time I step outside I hear people yelling my name, wishing me good luck and that is a so special feeling’ he remarked.

Dirt was a real challenge at the Arlington course track. Compared to previous rock hard clay based track in the AT&T Stadium the riders had to tackle a track packed with moving soft sandy soil. However, Canard was one rider who didn’t mind the track saying he thought it was much better than previous years with 40% clay and 60% sand. ‘The dirt here was so much better than what it used to be. The racing was pretty tacky throughout. I was really surprised at how slick and shiny the track became as the night progressed. But it also got pretty rough and rutted in couple spots’ he said.

Non profit organization, Road 2 Recovery hosts a weekend eBay auction with offerings of tickets to pit tours, races and signed rider jerseys. The endeavor is to assist AMA Supercross riders who may sustain career ending injuries. The Arlington fan experience auction was augmented by the support of TEAM Honda HRC. In addition to a Cole Seely jersey donated to the foundation the team also offered the winner and his family to an insider view of TEAM Honda’s technical and hospitality trucks. The auction garnered a splendid $2,500.

The timed qualifying practice sessions witnessed Canard ending at third quickest in the second lap with a timing of 50.231 just one second behind Eli Tomac, fellow Honda rider who finished at 49.481. Seely finished at fifth with a timing of 50.776.

Canard profited from a good start in heat 2. A head start during early stages kept him in lead position for the rest of laps and a direct transfer to main event competition. His top lap speed at the main event was at 55.568 helping him to join four other riders who have so far reached 55 second range in the series.

 Seely didn’t fare as well dogged by misfortune throughout his stint on the track. After completing at sixth position in the heats he had a collision when he aimed for the lead pass in semi one. A crash that resulted in him being forced to take the LCQ. Resulting poor gate pick for main event did not bode well for Seely who consolidated his position at 10th in the 20 lap race.

Despite all the downs, Honda’s Red Riders are on a solid winning streak enjoying the most number of victories for any manufacturer in the season. Oakland and San Diego wins for Canard, a super victory at Phoenix for Tomac have been the icing of the cake so far. Honda is the only manufacturer to represent at least one factory rider on the podium during every round so far. Moreover, CRF 450R has gathered the most podium finishes of all makes. Eight podium finishes and accumulated 157 points have put Honda in the lead for manufactures’ point standings.

The next round will see Team Honda HRC campaigning at Atlanta Georgia Dome for the first round of two back to back stops. Stay tuned for February 21st.

The dynamic duo

Behind every dynamic rider is a powerful mechanic. When a good relationship clicks there is nothing to stop the resulting dynamite power and speed. This is the story behind dynamic duo, Trey Canard and Brent Presnell. It is not merely racing for the two who have perfect understanding. The mechanic is tuned to the rider’s instincts on setting up the bike and the rider has perfect trust of the mechanic’s wench. The duo has put together over 11 years in rider/mechanic partnership with both being through many highs and lows in the racing field.

"My relationship with Brent is really special," Canard says. "He came to me in such a critical time in life when my dad had passed away and I didn’t have anyone to work on my bikes, so Brent came and lived with me. There’s more than racing between us; he’s like my family to me, and the relationship is very deep."

"Honestly, sometimes I feel like we’re just the old married couple," Presnell laughed. "We don’t have to talk; we just know what to do and what the other is thinking. I’ve been around him long enough to know his good days and his bad days based off his demeanor. There are certain times when he just needs his space to cool down for a little while, and I can normally get a good read on that so I can warn other people. We’re both from Oklahoma and come from similar backgrounds, so we have a lot in common away from the track."