Faces at the Races: East Rutherford SX

Photos and captions by Billy Rainford

In 2014, I had to choose between going to the inaugural Monster Energy AMA Supercross just over the bridge from NYC in East Rutherford, NJ or head down to the final round of Supercross in Las Vegas. Because we had so many Canadians racing in both the Amsoil Amateur Arencross Championships and the Geico Endurocross in Nevada, I chose that trip.

This year, my plan was to do both. An easy solution, right? Well, not so fast. Although I did make it to New Jersey, I won’t be making it out to Vegas this year. Anyway, the trip to New Jersey and New York City just placed itself high on the list of ‘Best Race Weekends Ever!’

There is just too much to tell in this article, so I will sit down and type out a feature article on the road trip experience itself in the coming days here on the site. It was amazing.

By now, we all know Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin won the 250 main and that Geico Honda’s Eli Tomac took the 450, but here is a closer look at the people under the helmets, in the pits, and around the MetLife grounds.

Ohio’s #471 Logan Karnow is a nice kid and picked up some support from Quebec’s PRMX for New Jersey. You may recognize his name and number from his Parts Canada TransCan appearances. Will we see him north of the border in 2015?

#6 Jeremy Martin during track walk. He was too nice to Joey Savatgy during the 250 main and should have been on the podium.

#49 Jimmy Decotis said he was excited to be heading north for the Canada’s Motorcycle FXR Yamaha team this summer. He would have his issues with Savatgy Saturday too.

Some AMA brass getting ready for the day in New Jersey.

Cole Seely during track walk.

Name the Canadian Pro riders who have a moustache finger tattoo.

Mitchell Oldenburg (centre).

It was only around 6 degrees during morning track walk.

I’ll get a shot of him smiling my way one of these days…

It did warm up to around 16-18 later in the afternoon though.

Eli following in his father’s footsteps of greatness.

The elusive Mike Larocco smile on race day.

Jeremy Albrecht.

Motocross racers have Carmichael and McGrath. We photogs have Cudby.

I assume we’ll be getting to know this gentleman better this summer.

‘Byrner’ and Chad Reed.

Kyle Chisholm checking out the track.

The Dungeys.

And The Dungeys.

#126 Jordan Smith went down hard, tried to ride again, but then was forced to call it a day.

Marvin has been to a few riders’ meetings in his day.

Still not warm yet…

Part of the ‘Legends and Heroes of American Motocross’ display getting set up.

I took quick wander through the pits but I always feel like I’m about to miss something on the track so I didn’t spend very long out there. Plus, it was pretty cool and windy in the morning.

This might very well be in my top 10 favourite ‘Faces’ shots. This is how doing graphics all morning will make you feel. Right, PRMX’s Julien?

If there’s a ‘.ca’ to be found, I’m all over it.

The ‘Legends and Heroes of Motocross’ display had quite a few amazing bikes.

Like this short-lived Harley Davidson motocrosser.

I actually had a Can Am back in the day that was liquid cooled and STILL had cooling fins on the motor…

Nerd convention…that I wasn’t invited to so I had to lash out. Sorry, guys.

Waiting their turn to hit the track.

Jimmy D getting ready to shoot his POV.

Some fast 450 riders waiting in the tunnel.

Time for the big boys to hit the MetLife track.

But wait, let me check how many people liked that selfie I took earlier first…

I was trying to get a serious shot of them unfurling the big American flag when this guy wandered past.

There we go. Unfurl, boys, unfurl.

Rich ‘The Pied Piper’ Winkler from Dirt Wurx.

When two tribes go to war… (Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Bowker!)

It’s all about social media and marketing, folks.

There was a good crowd for the ‘night’ show in New Jersey.

The Team Two Two Crew.

Nice try, Rainford…

“Um, guys, you both seem to be missing a key ingredient to racing a dirt bike.”

Shane McElrath raced the 450 class, had troubles in his qualifier, and then came out and won the LCQ.

It was hard to wipe the smile off Marvin’s face Saturday.

Geico Honda’s Justin Bogle looked like he was going to win this one but Musquin methodically reeled him.

Our old friend Kyle Chisholm getting ready at the line. There was about 2 feet between the 250 podium and the 450 guys trying to line up for their main. It was tight and we got in their way…a lot.

I saw BTO KTM rider #29 Andrew Short doubled over in pain after the main and then he at on the back as they left the stadium. He toughed out that race with a fractured patella! Out of focus, but…

The 450 main podium.

MetLife Stadium is a nice place for a race.

Although, it was difficult to leave right away due to traffic, so things got a little weird in the parking lot afterward.

I guess tires are cheaper in the states.

OK, so we’re sitting on the bumper of Emily’s red Volvo and a guy lights ’em up and loses control. He actually smashed into that Ford Expedition there and barely missed our legs as we just sat there!

Things got strange for a while.

We finally got out and headed back toward the NYC skyline.

On Sunday we rode our bikes across the George Washington Bridge, along the Hudson Parkway, and right into the middle of Manhattan. It was amazing, but that’s another story…

Gamma Sales has one more Just 1 J12 Carbon Helmet to give away this Frid’Eh so be sure to ‘like’ Gamma on Facebook for your chance to be like Blake Baggett here.