Off the Groove

In this week's episode, we recap the Red Mile and catch up with my long-time friend, Danny Eslick. I've had the pleasure of watching this guy race since he was four years old. We talked through his first days of racing, his Daytona 200 wins, his 2018 racing seasons across road racing and flat track, and much more.

📸 Jodi Johnson

00:24 - Horizon Award & Dairyland Classic

00:40 - Red Mile recap

01:13 - Danny Eslick intro

01:48 - Whatcha been up to since Texas?

02:43 - Whats it like growing up in Tulsa?

03:08 - Scottie talks about his first memory of Slick

04:08 - Do you remember the first time you rode a motorcycle?

05:10 - Talks about growing up racing with his brother

06:58 - Who did you look up to racing as a kid?

07:50 - Do you remember your first race?

08:55 - Do you have any superstitions like your brother?

09:49 - Do you have a favorite racing memory?

11:01 - Talks about his victory celebrations

12:36 - You just had a birthday…how did you celebrate?

13:09 - Talks about racing for Michael Jordan

14:55 - Talks about racing in France

16:37 - Daytona 200 talks

18:45 - So what really happened in 2016?

19:45 - Do you have any doubt in your mind you would have won in 2016?

20:27 - Are you already thinking about winning your fifth?

21:53 - Talks about his 2018 MotoAmerica season

23:25 - Talks about riding for Bruce Rossmeyer

24:34 - Why do you still like coming to play in the dirt with us flat trackers?

25:22 - What event are you racing next?

26:14 - Do you know what brand you may be riding in OKC?

26:27 - “I’m gonna put my head down either way”

28:02 - What races left on the schedule do you want to race?

28:56 - What type of flat track racing do you prefer?

31:46 - Talks about making through the big wreck in Texas

33:47 - Thoughts on what Jared Mees and his team is doing this year

34:38 - Have you got to ride an FTR750 yet?

34:59 - Talks about Ronnie Jones

35:36 - Gram’s question - What are your future plans for racing?

35:55 - Rapid Fire w/ Danny Eslick

38:14 - Scottie’s favorite Slick stories

40:24 - Thank yous & Shout outs

41:57 - “Hell, it may have been a 1200, we can talk about it now”

In this week's episode, we recap the week of flat track racing that was Springfield, preview this weekend of racing from Wisconsin to Kentucky, and catch up with one cool Hooligan racer from California. Jordan Graham may be a newcomer to the AFT scene, but he is definitely not new to riding motorcycles. This guy is one talented, passionate, and interesting dude!

📸 Ken Weisenberger

00:24 - Springfield recap

02:45 - Red Mile Preview

03:39 - Jordan Graham intro

04:30 - Get to know Jordan Graham

05:22 - Talks about riding a motorcycle for the first time

06:02 - When did you start racing motorcycles?

07:31 - “When we get a rough/dirty track, I love it”

07:48 - Talks of riding moto and 200 ft jumps

09:18 - How did you get into flat track racing?

10:55 - When Jordan met Roland…

13:45 - Goon-ridin’ in Sturgis

https://instagram.com/p/BjYem7ZB8pA/

14:52 - Thankful for his opportunity to race Hooligans

15:51 - 47 it is…

16:22 - Talks about racing AFT Singles in 2018

18:40 - Differences in racing hooligan and 450 motorcycles

20:19 - Daytona struggles

21:05 - Talks about racing a mile for the first time

21:57 - Bombing home to get in trouble

22:41 - Talks about racing the hooligan event prior to racing the Sacto-Mile

23:25 - Explains Hooligan and Super Hooligan racing

25:31 - Tell me something interesting about Andy DiBrino

28:04 - Have you raced against Sam Fisher?

28:58 - Are you related to Ricky Graham?

29:49 - What do you say to the Hooligan haters?

32:43 - Talks about his 9-5 painting helmets for AirTrix

33:33 - Whats the coolest painting project you’ve worked on lately?

35:41 - How long does it take to paint a helmet?

37:32 - How did you get into painting?

38:38 - How can people find more info on the Super Hooligan series?

41:42 - Oh and Cary Hart is his neighbor!

43:10 - Talks about how doing jujitsu helps his racing

45:12 - GRAM’s QUESTION: Are there rules for safety in Hooligan racing?

46:38 - Who is your toughest competition in 2018?

47:10 - What is your favorite race track?

47:47 - What do you do with all your trophies?

48:14 - “I think my youngest, may be the next Shayna Texter”

48:54 - Who gets the next victory lap?

49:20 - Do you have a favorite helmet that you’ve painted?

50:27 - Talks about his favorite motorcycle paint job

52:10 - Thank yous and shout outs

In this episode, we recap the Sacto-Mile weekend, preview this weekend's events in Springfield, and catch up with a young Australian rider, Max Whale. At the age of seventeen, this kid's resume is already something to talk about. We talk about the differences between riding down under, and in the US, what he's learned in the six events he's competed in, and goals for the remainder of his first full season in the AFT singles class.

00:24 - Sacramento recap/Springfield preview

01:59 - Max Whale intro

02:40 - Where are you from?

03:36 - Talks working on his family’s farm

04:19 - When did you start riding motorcycles and why?

05:00 - Is it true they don’t use steel shoes in Australia?

05:36 - what’s the biggest difference for you racing here in the US?

06:12 - Matthew Guenther shout out

06:25 - Other riders helping him out

07:30 - What riders do you look up to?

08:45 - Scottie reviews Max’s resume

11:06 - Off-season planning & testing

11:58 - How are you traveling to events?

13:29 - Talks about racing his first races in the US

14:25 - Talks about plans and goals for racing in 2018

15:25 - What has been your favorite place to visit in the US?

16:16 - Daytona talks

17:14 - Talk about his first win in the US

17:59 - Atlanta talks

19:33 - Texas talks

20:19 - Calistoga talks

20:48 - Phoenix talks

21:37 - Sacramento talks

22:54 - Are you happy with your progress so far?

23:18 - Are you excited for Springfield?

23:46 - Talks about differences in Australian tracks

24:32 - what others tracks are you looking forward to racing?

25:38 - Do you enjoy the american food?

26:54 - Who do you think is the best rider in the US?

27:47 - Is Henry Wiles going to win Peoria this year?

28:15 - Do you even moto bro?

28:51 - What’s your favorite race track?

29:28 - Why are you #81?

30:39 - what do you do with your trophies?

31:18 - Who gets the victory lap?

32:06 - Thank yous and shout outs

​

In this week's episode, we recap Arizona, look ahead to this weekend's mile event in Sacramento, and catch up with a race promoters of the Springfield Mile, Dave & Tommra Kiesow. We not only discover a bit more about their history, but some interesting history about this iconic race track they promote twice a race season and find out what fans attending the race next weekend can expect.

00:24 - Phoenix recap/Sacramento preview

02:07 - Dave & Tommra Kiesow intro

03:30 - Where were you guys born?

04:29 - How did you guys get involved with motorcycles?

05:27 - When did you start racing motorcycles?

06:09 - Do you still have any of your race bikes?

07:16 - Dave talks about an older XR-750 he’ll have at next weekend’s event

08:02 - How did you guys meet?

08:49 - Talks about the transition from IMDA to the Keisows as race promoters

10:04 - Talks about the roles they filled with the IMDA

10:49 - Talks about the riders they have helped through the Kiesow Racing program

11:38 - Do you stay in touch with riders you’ve helped in the past?

12:09 - Dave talks about Carver’s first national win in Castlerock

13:27 - Dave tells us why he thinks Springfield Mile is the greatest

13:44 - Tommra tells us why the track is the fastest on the AFT circuit

14:41 - Talks about the Springfield water truck and what makes it so special

16:14 - Brief history of the Springfield Mile

17:29 - Talks about what they do between the two events each year

18:53 - Do you think running your events on a holiday weekend help your event?

19:34 - How did you convince Dave Despain to be Grand Marshall for the Spring event?

20:56 - Scottie tells his favorite Despain story from Springfield

22:00 - Dave explains the new Production class racing in the Spring event

23:27 - Talks about other raffles and vendors on site for the event

25:12 - Talks of the sponsors who help make the Springfield Mile possible

26:09 - TICKET INFO for this weekend’s Springfield events

27:20 - Tommra talks about why the fall race this year is so significant

30:46 - What is your favorite motorcycle?

31:42 - What was your favorite Springfield memory?

33:34 - Besides Springfield, what is your favorite national to attend?

34:28 - Why don’t we run the AFT Singles class on the Mile?

00:24 - Calistoga recap/Phoenix preview

02:04 - Ben Lowe intro

02:35 - Big truck driver

03:15 - Why isn’t anyone talking about you?

03:52 - Where were you born?

04:00 - Do you like your nickname?

04:55 - How did you get into riding motorcycles?

06:13 - Do you remember your first race?

06:29 - What was it that got you hooked?

07:13 - What’s your favorite racing memory?

07:48 - Talks about making the decision to jump from amateur to pro

08:53 - What was the biggest change from racing amateur to going pro?

09:42 - Talks about his system for collecting race data

10:47 - Was your 2017 successful in your mind?

11:29 - What happened in Lexington last year?

13:54 - Talks about last year’s event in Peoria

14:30 - Do you like to ride moto?

15:10 - Why Michigan riders seem to ride harder than others

16:53 - Talks about how and why he made the switch from Honda to Kawasaki

19:08 - Who makes modifications to your bike?

21:23 - Expectations coming into 2018

21:58 - Talks about all the folks who contribute to his program

24:07 - Who is getting that victory lap when you win your first race?

24:52 - Daytona Talks

26:57 - Atlanta talks

28:27 - Talks about plans for Texas and the west coast swing

29:40 - Are you part of the Modesta mafia?

30:25 - Any races that you’re looking forward for the rest of the season?

32:00 - GRAM’S QUESTION - How can we learn more about you?

32:28 - Who is an up-and-comer we should seep out eyes on?

33:27 - Why are you number 20?

33:54 - Favorite track?

34:33 - Who has the best hair in flat track?

35:08 - Favorite place to eat on the road?

36:07 - If you could bring in a new sponsor to flat track, who would it be and why?

37:44 - Thank you’s and shout outs

📸 Jailyn Norris

In this week's episode, we recap the Texas race weekend, look ahead to round 4 in Calistoga, and catch up with an up-and-coming AFT Singles rider Cameron Smith. We talked to him prior to the Texas event, where he had his best results of his 2018 season. We talked about how he got into riding motorcycles, his transition to racing at the pro level, and his goals for the 2018 season and beyond.

📸 Jodi Johnson

00:24 - Texas recap/Calistoga preview

02:03 - Cameron Smith intro

02:41 - Talks about the big wreck in Atlanta and how he’s been since the crash

04:35 - Talks about where he’s from and all the other riders who were born there

05:44 - How did you get into motorcycles?

06:44 - Talks about first time riding a motorcycle and his first race

08:02 - Do you have a favorite racing memory?

08:59 - Talks about his transition from amateur level to racing pro

10:15 - Whats been the biggest change racing on the pro level?

11:29 - Talks about the importance of racing non-national events as a privateer

12:17 - Talks about almost missing the season finale last season due to travel issues

14:14 - Walks us through his 4th pace finish at the 2017 Springfield TT event

16:23 - Talks about why each race during the 2017 season was special to him

17:19 - What do you do during the off-season?

18:05 - Talks about what motivates him to work hard throughout the offseason

18:34 - New sponsor and partnership mentions for 2018

19:29 - Are you and Cory Texter teammates?

19:48 - Talks about what he’s learned watching Cory race

20:44 - Expectations coming into the 2018 season

21:13 - Talks about the competition in the AFT Singles class this year

22:06 - Talks about his race program for 2018

22:56 - How do you decide what changes needs to be made for the bike?

23:46 - What do you rely on more when you’re on the track, the lap times or how you feel?

24:53 - Daytona talks

26:24 - Atlanta talks

28:07 - Expectations going into round 3 in Texas

28:52 - Talks about expectations for the west coast swing

29:43 - Talks more about why racing outlaw events helps him through a season

30:33 - How do you prepare for a race track you’ve never been to before?

31:08 - Talks about Williams Grove and why he’s looking forward to that race in 2018

31:56 - GRAM’S QUESTION: What are your plans for college and beyond?

32:54 - How cool is it to see yourself on TV?

33:40 - Who is your favorite motorcycle racer today?

34:20 - Do you follow any other sports? Whats your favorite team?

34:33 - Talks about his love for sprint car racing

35:27 - Favorite place to eat on the road?

35:47 - What do you do with all your trophies?

36:20 - Do you have a favorite trophy?

36:39 - Who gets the victory lap when you win your first national?

36:58 - If you could bring in a new sponsor to flat track, who would it be & why?

38:00 - Shout-outs and thank yous

This week's guest is the tuner for the #23 team in the AFT Twins class, Ben Evans. A former racer with a long flat track resume, Ben was nice enough to take time from his busy schedule to talk with us after the team's podium finish in Atlanta. We talked about how he got into the sport, the challenges that come with preparing three different brands of motorcycles for the 2018 season, and his relationship with his rider, Jeffrey Carver Jr.

📸 Jodi Johnson

00:24 - Scottie Update

02:56 - Ben Evans intro

03:57 - “…not a lot of TV watchin’ or movie watchin’ for me…”

04:18 - Quick overview of the #23 team’s plans for the long six week run

05:52 - Where were you born?

06:45 - How did you get into flat track?

09:36 - Why did you pick #69?

11:23 - When did you realize you had a passion for working on bikes?

14:09 - What other riders have you wrenched for?

15:50 - “…there’s never enough hours in a day…”

16:34 - Talks about how his relationship with Jeffery Carver Jr. began

20:46 - Talks about why the two work well together

22:32 - Does the fact you ride as well, help with the trust issues between you and Carver?

24:38 - Who makes the call on what bike you ride each race?

26:40 - How hard is it to maintain the different brands of bikes?

28:15 - Talks about upcoming testing sessions

29:20 - Who sets the goals for the #23 team?

30:48 - Daytona talks

32:41 - Talks of Atlanta race weekend

34:44 - Talks about Carver running that high line just OFF THE GROOVE!

36:20 - Are there any other events you’re looking forward to going to this season?

37:22 - GRAM’s QUESTION Whats the biggest change in flat track?

39:28 - Do you have a favorite race track?

40:31 - What’s your favorite thing to eat on the road?

41:14 - Any up-and-coming racers we should have an eye on?

This week, we catch up with Kenny Coolbeth Jr., a flat track legend who recently announced he'd be retiring at the conclusion of the 2018 race season. We talked about what led him to a career racing motorcycles, take a look back on his twenty-five years of flat tracking, and talk about what is next for him after he hangs up the steel shoe.

📸 Flat Trak Fotos

00:24 - Scottie Update

01:03 - Kenny Coolbeth Jr. intro

02:17 - Scottie rambles off an insane amount of stats

03:16 - How tough was it to make the decision to retire after the 2018 season?

04:05 - Where were you born?

05:00 - Talks about the first time he ever rode a motorcycle

05:51 - What about riding a motorcycle made you realize you wanted to make it a career?

06:28 - Talks about riders he looked up to growing up

07:12 - Talked about riders he learned from

07:58 - Talks about his first race

08:58 - Talks about how his father inspired him to race

09:24 - First Grand National win

10:18 - Scottie talks about the first time he saw Coolbeth race

12:06 - Is there one particular season that sticks out to you more than others?

14:10 - You worked with a lot of great mechanics…Is there one that sticks out to you?

15:00 - What was the hardest part of the 2017 season for you?

15:35 - What did you learn from the 2017 season?

16:30 - Talks about how the opportunity to ride for Nila Racing came about

19:19 - Will you be riding an Indian Motorcycle the entire 2018 season?

20:17 - Talks about the first time throwing a leg over the FTR 750

21:15 - Talks about his training routine and studying race video

25:42 - Talks about his number plate auctions for the 2018 season

27:15 - Where you happy with the results from Daytona?

28:22 - Do you think the outcome would have been different had we raced Saturday night?

29:03 - Did the rain delay affect you or the bike set-up?

29:35 - Are you looking forward to Texas?

30:25 - Are there any goals you’ve set for yourself in your final season?

31:14 - Is there any chance you’d come back for another season if you win the title in 2018?

31:50 - What are you planning to do after flat track?

33:20 - What is the biggest change you’ve seen for flat track over your 25 year career?

34:44 - Who is a young up-and-comer you have had an eye on

35:28 - Any amateur racers we should be looking out for?

36:00 - Why did you choose #2 and #31?

36:39 - Do you have a favorite track?

37:02 - What do you do with all your trophies?

38:13 - What will you miss the most & the least after you retire?

39:44 - Who has been the best racer you ever competed against?

We caught up with Jarod Vanderkooi prior to last weekend's race in Atlanta. We talked about his expectations heading into the second round of the 2018 season, what its like to have an opportunity to ride an Indian and Harley-Davidson factory bike in a six month span, and his love for B-Dubs.

📸 Jodi Johnson

00:24 - Scottie Update

01:03 - Jarod Vanderkooi intro

01:32 - Who the hell is this?

01:55 - Where did the new nickname come from?

02:49 - How did you get into motorcycles?

03:36 - Talks of his family of racers

04:06 - The tale of ole Kill-switch Vanderkooi

05:12 - Talks about the first motorcycle races

06:11 - Talks of winning his first pro race at the Springfield Mile

06:54 - Talks about his successful 2014 season

09:28 - Rookie of the year in 2015…anything stick out?

10:40 - Expectations heading in 2017 with Richie Morris Racing

12:56 - Talks about the progression of the 2017 season

13:56 - Talks about getting the call from Indian Motorcycle to ride for Brad Baker

15:59 - Talks about the chance to ride bikes from the two factory bikes in a 6 month period

17:55 - When did you find out that you would not be returning to RMR?

20:00 - Is the training you did in Florida heading into the 2018 season going to help you?

22:36 - Talks about his mechanic for the 2018 season

23:40 - How are you communicating with the team?

24:25 - Talks about pre-season testing prior to Daytona

24:51 - How cool is it to ride for the factory team?

25:31 - What were the first impressions of the XG750?

26:19 - Talks of bouncing things off teammate Sammy Halbert

27:38 - Did you see Stevie Bonsey losing his tire in Daytona?

29:20 - Talks of his day in Daytona

32:04 - Expectations heading in Woodstock for Round 2

33:11 - Who is your toughest competition for 2018?

33:22 - What is your favorite race track?

33:56 - Why did you choose #20?

34:50 - Whats your favorite place to eat while on the road?

This week we caught up with Stevi Smith. We talked about her own racing career and what its like growing up in a flat track family. Balancing a full-time job while managing her fiance J.R. Addison's race team, she still makes time to contribute to several others in the flat track community each race season.

📸 Jodi Johnson

00:24 - Scottie Update

01:53 - Stevi Smith intro

02:56 - Whats it like growing up in Michigan?

03:36 - Talks of growing up with Scott Parker & Jay Springsteen

04:06 - How did you get into motorcycles?

05:06 - What was the first bike you rode?

05:26 - Talks of “stealing” her older brother’s number

05:58 - Did you get Bryan’s hand-me-down bikes?

06:36 - Do you have a favorite race motorcycle?

07:02 - Do you still ride and race?

07:18 - Do you have a favorite race memory?

08:05 - Did you ever get to race against Bryan?

08:46 - Why did you stop racing?

09:33 - Talks of what its like growing up in a racing family

10:18 - How did you and J.R. Addison meet?

10:56 - Do you have a favorite memory with J.R.?

11:38 - What is something people would be surprised to know about J.R. Addison?

12:21 - Talk about what it meant for Bryan to win his Grand National Championship in 2016

13:07 - Talks about the hometown reaction after Bryan’s championship

14:24 - Talks of J.R. winning Rookie of the Year in 2016

15:00 - Talks of winning the Brintlinger Award of Excellence in 2016

16:22 - Talks about starting the Brintlinger Foundation

18:49 - What was it like to see your brother rocking’ that #1 plate?

19:38 - What does Stevi Smith do in the off-season?

20:53 - Explains how to get Parker Norris to dance

22:08 - What are the expectations for the #24 team in 2018?

23:02 - Any fond memories from the 2017 racing season?

24:10 - Talks of J.R.’s struggles at the Lima Half-Mile

25:30 - What was your take on the 2018 Daytona TT?

26:58 - Talks of J.R.’s proposal after this year’s Daytona TT event

30:01 - Who is your best friend at the race track?

31:14 - Talks about her thoughts on recent AFT changes

32:32 - Who is an up-and-comer we should keep our eyes on?

32:55 - Any amateur racers we should look out for?

33:38 - What do you and J.R. do with all your trophies?

34:21 - What is your favorite race track?

35:30 - “I love hearing the box van start up…”

35:51 - Talks about her love for the Waffle House

36:51 - Talks about other things she does to support riders

37:50 - Thank yous and sign off