ASRA Midwest Round 5 – Ozarks International Raceway September 13-14 2025
Two weeks ago we took to riding what has to be the most insane track in the country–Ozarks International Raceway in Missouri for the first ASRA race weekend at the facility. Just driving into the place you realize how unique it’s going to be with the elevation. There is 1400ft of elevation change in a 2.5 mile lap which sounds like a made-up number. Half of the turns are blind with multiple corners off camber. I dare say this was more intimidating than my first time seeing Daytona. At least at Daytona I knew where the track went.
Kristi and I met up with our Team Shocker Racing teammates in one of the two huge garages at OIR. I was coming off of what I felt to be a really down performance at Blackhawk in August. I fixed some of the front end issues on the 690 that were contributing to my discomfort the previous round–the more important part was to fix my brain and focus to resolve the rest.
Friday practice day was just about learning which way the track went and getting comfortable with my stomach moving from throat to toes multiple times per lap on the roller coaster. By the second last session I felt like I was starting to figure out which way the track went. I think I cracked 1:49.X on the last session.
GTL 25min–first race and always my favorite race of the weekend. My shifter falls off after 2 bolts back themselves out on lap 2 or 3. I get to spend the race from the Turn 4 corner worker stand hanging out with Dakota. Oops.
ThunderBike–Shifter fixed, I finally got to see what actual race pace looks like. Finishing position isn’t great, but I knocked 4 seconds off trying to keep pace with a Ducati that’s bested me multiple times in the past few years. Felt great about that.
Lightweight Supersport–I was the beneficiary of some attrition when the quickest expert rider went down in the off camber turn 7. The #276 showed me the way around and helped me find some spots to go faster, and I dropped another second down to 1:44’s. Technically this counted as a win since the #276 had different colored plates.
Lightweight Superbike–This time it was the #412 on the GSXR8 showing me the way and helping me drop another second down into the 1:43’s. Finishing-wise not great, but comfort and pace this was my best of the weekend.
Ultralightweight Superbike–Low turnout on this one. I got my first good start of the weekend from the second row and led flag to flag. It took about a lap to settle my nerves knowing this one was mine to lose, but I calmed my brain after stabbing the brakes once in T2 and got myself back to the 43’s.
*Photos from Noiseless Productions
The season ends at Daytona in a few weeks. It’s time for some SV650 action.
I really have no idea on how this is going to go, but:
- I am only taking my SV650—shipping it down with a friend and then flying
- By virtue of running more races than everyone else (not pace), I’m leading a few championships
- We are positioned really well to win the lightweight endurance championship; however, we’re very injured and broken at this point
- The Aprilia 660 we were planning to ride blew up at Ozarks
- One of the riders we planned to run at Daytona highsided at Ozarks and fractured his heel, but I think he’ll be in shape to go if need be
- One of the riders we planned to run at Daytona is out of commission from the hip fracture earlier in the year at Blackhawk
- I’m currently hobbled and moving around on crutches with a torn muscle in my right calf (lucky it’s not left.. shifting)
- I think we’ll need to use my SV650 if the 660 isn’t ready which puts us at a big disadvantage power-wise to our competitors. Some tracks it’s not a huge deal—Daytona it matters more
I never felt the injury happen, but I was riding my bicycle and pondering the idea that I’m going to need to ride an endurance stint at Daytona which I wasn’t planning to originally. Possibly, I’d need to attempt the full 2 hours which I think is doable at Daytona. But I think we’ll have 2 of us that can go. Anyway, finished my 16mi bicycle ride and went about my day. At night when I went to bed my right leg was a bit sore. When I woke up, I could barely move. I was worried it was knee ligament, but it’s not. It’s absolutely calf. I got guilted by enough people at work and home that I have an appointment setup Thursday for them to tell me what I already know—it’s a partial tear in my calf that’s swollen my leg and ankle to twice the size it should be. There’s nothing that will heal it besides time.
I intend to race in October. Daytona isn’t a terribly physical track (lower leg-wise at least), and I don’t need to hang off the bike too much. I want to take this bike out there and see how much better this engine is after the rebuild. I want to see if I can hit 140mph. Last year was 135mph. I grabbed a 42 rear sprocket but will start on the 43 with a 15 front. With the setup changes and bike comfort on the SV, I want to crack the 2:10’s which would put me about 3 seconds quicker than last time out. I haven’t ridden the SV since July
A lot can change between now and then, but I’m hopeful we’ll be able to give this a go.
