Any rider in the top 7 or 8 of last weekends Road Atlanta round would be lying if they said it wasn't one of the wildest races they have been in. At least, that's what it felt like for me. Ridiculous passes, clashing handlebars, and a fast pace, describes my version of the 2010 AMA Road Atlanta round.

My weekend started out perfect, being fastest in all of my sessions leading up to the race including qualifying. Grabbing pole position was great. It was my first AMA pole position, and spirits were high. Race #1 on Saturday got off to a good start, slotting into second place for a few laps. A few passes were made on me and I rode around in 4th for a while. Halfway through the race, I was trying to do my own race and just stay in the middle of the lead pack, but people desperately wanted past me and I found myself back to 7th, and fading. The lead riders were so close together that it was very sketchy to make a pass and not run into the next guy, so I sat and waited. I ran across the finish line with 4 more racers close in front of me, positioning 5th. I was happy, but angry at myself for not taking a few opportunities that were presented throughout the race.

Saturday's race was hard, until I found out what Sunday's race was like. Race 2 at Road Atlanta was one of the more challenging races for me. I started out on pole, and 3rd going into the first turn. I stayed there for a few laps and was 4th until about lap 7. A mistake and an aggressive pass put me back around 8th a little past halfway through the race. 3-4 laps to go, Dane Westby went under Danny Eslick in the last turn and I tried to set them both up for a pass on the front straight. I cut in hard in the last turn and rubbed bodywork with Eslick down the front straight, setting me back a little. The next lap, Dane Westby crashed in the last turn in front of me and gave his position up to me. Further on in that lap, I made a pass on Herrin and Rapp. The last lap I was in 4th behind West and Eslick. I set up West for a pass on the back straight, but Herrin used a double draft to get around us all. Eslick then got me in the last turn, making me come past the finish line in 5th once more.

A hard race, lots of fun, a little unlucky, but at the same time, lucky to be there. I've learned that you have to scare yourself at least 10 times in a race if you really want it, and I suppose some people wanted it a little more than me last weekend. And with that, i will be sure to sharpen up the elbows for Infinion Raceway because I want that podium bad.... And a win wouldn't be too bad either. :P