Brandon Robinson #44 Files His AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Daytona Short Track Rounds 1&2 Report

Brandon Robinson very likely put in the ride of the double opening rounds at the Daytona Short Track on March 13-14, but you can't blame him or his comeback ride for possibly being overshadowed by the wins taken by Briar Bauman in round 1 or Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. in round 2.

Robinson's 3rd-place finish was textbook riding in hanging with the leaders and doing what was necessary to keep Bauman and 2nd-place finisher Sammy Halbert within sight, as well as keeping the rest of the field well behind him.

But it was his performance in round 2 that ultimately could prove who ends up where in the overall point standings at the end of the season.

After coming into contact with Jake Constantine in the opening laps of the 25-lap National main, the Oxford, Pa. resident took a nasty fall that very well could have ended his evening. But after a red flag restart, coupled with a penalty/fourth row start, the field was off again, as was BRob44, but from a much further distance back then what he or anyone else could even have imagined when the evening's events began.

Slicing through traffic and passing riders one-by-one, Robinson put on a virtual clinic in how to regain valuable points and how even passing is possible on a slick, grooved limestone/sea shell-laden packed surface. By the end of the race, the former '08 Basic Expert Twins Champion had worked his way back into 5th-place, and had salvaged what could possibly been a bombshell of a day's efforts.

When the dust had settled on the two days of great racing, Robinson was left in tie for 3rd-place in the championship with night two winner Coolbeth, both just 12 points back from early-season leader Halbert and three points in arrears from evening two's 2nd-place man, Jake Johnson. Not too bad of a result after taking what could have been a nasty face plant, done for the evening crash, and turning it into what I consider the ride of the two rounds of racing to salvage a great result, and what what looked like a 'Wide World of Sports' thrill of victory moment!

In the shot above, Robinson works on set-up during the opening round of practice on the #44 TJ Burnett Farms/USC/Hart Racing-sponsored Kawasaki KX450F at the Peoria TT during round 7 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship on August 11.

A big congrats to all for some great racing over the course of the two evening's of racing on the Daytona International Speedway short track, but a huge tip of the helmet and 'hoorah!' to BRob44 for putting on one helluva ride for the fans in turning it all around and showing he hasn't missed a step since the end of the 2013 season and is ready to battle at the front again with the best of the best in The Rolling Thunder Show and in the best racing series on two wheels in the world!

You can check out Brandon's race report from the Daytona Short Track I&II below to see what he had to say about the season-opening rounds, and knowing him, it's probably doesn't sound as exciting as what I have put it, because that's just the kind of guy he is, but believe me, his version should sound JUST as exciting as mine!

Press release courtesy of Brandon Robinson & the USC/James Hart Racing Kawasaki AMA Pro Flat Track team

Brandon Robinson Starts off 2014 Strong in Daytona Beach

Oxford, PA (March 24, 2014) - The 2014 AMA Pro Flat Track season is here and the contenders are already making their way to the front of the pack. One rider who had a breakthrough season last year proved that 2013 was no fluke and came out swinging at Daytona. His name is Brandon Robinson.

 

Robinson suffered an injury during the off-season while testing at the Steve Nace Indoor Nationals in Duquoin, IL. He broke his collarbone and it required surgery for repair. He decided to race a few events before Rounds 1 & 2 at Daytona Flat Track to get comfortable on the bike again and test the twins he will be racing this season.

Brandon Robinson is shown on the #44 USC/James Hart Racing Kawasaki in preparation for the Daytona Short Track event during the season-opening round on March 13-14. Robinson had a 3-5 tally for the two nights of racing and very well had the ride of the night during round 2 where he came back from a fourth row start to card a 5th-place finish, picking off riders one-by-one during the 25-lap National main. Photo courtesy of Brandon Robinson/USC-James Hart Racing, by Dave Hoenig/AMA Pro Flat Track & Flat Trak Fotos.com.

“We did both of the Steve Nace All-Star races during Bike Week at Savannah and Volusia,” said Robinson. “I was a little rusty, but I felt solid on the bike. We won Savannah on the Twin and finished third at Volusia. We also did the Volusia Short Track race and got the victory from the back row. I felt good on the bike and I was feeling very confident heading in the Short Track.”

 

In 2013, Robinson won his first ever Grand National at Daytona en route to a 3rd-place overall finish in the championship. 

After qualifying fifth on Day 1, Brandon finished fourth in his heat race. This would put him on the second row for the main event. He rode a smart, smooth race and picked off as many riders as he could to finish on the podium in third place.  A very solid finish to kick off the season.

 

Day 2 started off similar with a sixth in qualifying. However, the heat race went much better and he grabbed the start he needed and checked out to grab the victory. It was looking very positive for the main event until another rider went down and collected Robinson in the process. He fought back from the fourth row to finish a very solid fifth place.

 

“I am satisfied with my finishes at the Daytona Flat Track,” said Robinson. “I think I had the speed to win the second day, but it’s short track racing and anything can happen. I am pleased with how I rode both days. I can’t complain about two top 5′s. We picked up good points and we are in a good position heading into Springfield.”

 

Robinson will once again campaign the USC Racing Kawasaki’s in the Expert Twins season this year and is looking to pick up where he left off last season where he won back-to-back Springfield Mile main events in the fall.

 

For more information on Brandon Robinson, follow him on social media. @BRob44 on Twitter and Instagram || Facebook.com/BrandonRobinsonRacing

 

Brandon Robinson 2014 Sponsors:

USC Kawasaki, James Hart, Hot Shot Motorworks, Stevens Racing, R&D Machine, Arai, ATI Physical Therapy, Penske Shocks, AXO, Go Pro, Saddlemen, Pro Plates, Motion Pro, Royal Publishing, VC Graphix, KK Motorcycle Supply, Hartman Photography, Modotek, PMP Sprockets, Spectro Oils, Wiseco Pistons, Cometic Gaskets, Lectron Carburetors, Evans Coolant, Marmor Fitness, G2 Ergonomics, West Coast Hot Shoes, Works Connection, K&N, Impact Armor, DAO, Spy Optic, WKR, Race Tech, Jim Chapman, Tom Scibek, John Y, TJB 

Thanks, B!

 

Brandon Robinson - GNC 44
15 Wood Valley Lane
Oxford, PA 19363
484-888-9485

Website:  BrandonRobinson44.com

Twitter:  @BRob44
Instagram: @BRob44
Facebook:  Brandon Robinson
 

PRESS RELEASE BY: PROMOS BY CTEX – CTexter@hotmail.com