Caught up with Brandan Bergen, tuner for Brad Baker. While 2017 was his first season with Indian Motorcycle, this guys is no stranger to flat track and turning wrenches. We walk through his transition from rider to tuner, his return to flat track, and his roller coaster 2017 season.

📸 Fernando CM

01:06 - Bergen intro

02:35 - Bergen backstory

03:20 - Riding for and working with Johnny Gode and Dave Zanotti

07:20 - Discussion about Brandan tuning sprint cars for World of Outlaws

12:22 - Bergen talks about how his opportunity with Indian Motorcycle began

16:40 - Talks about going to events in 2016 to work with Brad

17:34 - Talks about knowledge learned from Sprint Car racing that applies to motorcycle racing

20:19 - Thoughts once Brad went down in the inaugural Daytona event

22:04 - Thoughts coming out of the second event in Atlanta

23:16 - Talks of issues in Charlotte

27:41 - “I remember being very angry…”

33:43 - Takes the blame for Lima

39:07 - Talks of challenges at the Buffalo Chip event

43:35 - Discusses Brad’s training incident leading into Texas

47:10 - How did you guys make the call to have Larry Pegram in Brad’s place?

48:02 - Talks about finding out about Brad’s incident

50:04 - How was it working with Larry Pegram?

52:05 - How did you guys settle on Vanderkooi riding the bike for Perris, CA?

56:30 - “I think people are gonna see a brand new Brad Baker in 2018”

57:50 - What is your favorite part of being a mechanic?

1:01:23 - What advice would you give to up-and-coming racers?