Off the Groove

In this week's episode, we recap last weekend’s events from Oklahoma City, and catch up with a yet another Pennsylvania flat tracker, Jake Shoemaker. We talk about what it is like balancing a full-time job and raising a daughter as a single parent, while also trying to make the time to still come play in the dirt with AFT on the weekends.

📸 Jodi Johnson

00:24 - Oklahoma recap
01:33 - Jake Shoemaker intro
02:32 - Where were you born?
03:18 - Theory behind why riders from PA are so good at racing
04:12 - When did you get into motorcycles?
05:13 - Talks about growing up racing District 6 riders
07:12 - Talks about his work life and goals outside of racing
08:52 - You think your daughter will be a motorcycle racer?
10:35 - ”Time is the most valuable thing you can give anybody”
11:00 - 2019 goals
11:13 - Explains why he missed Oklahoma last week
11:56 - How hard was it for you to transition from Singles to the Twins class?
13:15 - Talks of riding Triumphs
14:12 - Scottie’s fondest memo

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

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 p

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

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 sa

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 - Talk

Caught up with 2-time Singles champion and 2-time Grand National Champion, Jake Johnson. We talked about what brought him into the sport, his extensive resume (including his brief hiatus from flat track), and his transition to Estenson Racing for the 2018 season.

📸 Jodi Johnson

00:24 - Scottie Update
00:59 - Jake Johnson intro
01:41 - Jake talks moto
02:59 - Where were you born?
03:31 - How’d you get into motorcycles?
04:27 - Did you know you always wanted to race?
05:00 - Do you remember your first win?
06:02 - Was there a racer you looked up to growing up?
07:21 - Do you feel like one of the old guys?
08:55 - Talks about his two Grand National Championships
09:50 - Talks about why he briefly stepped away from the sport after championship seasons
12:18 - Talks about how he got back into racing after stepping away
13:47 - Talks about getting the call from the factory Harley-Davidson team
15:08 - What were your expectations coming into 2017 with Harley-Davidson?
17:03 - “Thats

Caught up with Bronson Bauman this a week before the season opener in Daytona. We talked about what its like racing for legendary tuner Bill Werner, his girlfriend (who also races), and his expectations for the upcoming season.

📸 Jodi Johnson

00:24 - Scottie update
01: 52 - Bronson intro
02:15 - What have you been doing since winning Flat Out Friday?
04:12 - Talks of being a take-charge kinda guy
04:52 - What is it like to race for Bill Werner?
07:12 - How did you get into flat track racing?
08:46 - How is Illinois livin’ different from California
10:22 - Bronson walks us through his Flat Out Friday
14:18 - Talks about TT and woods riding
17:12 - Thoughts on 2017
22:19 - Talks about his offseason training
24:12 - If I win my 1st grand national, I’m taking 5-6 victory laps
24:45 - Talks of how he met his girlfriend, Allyx Camp
26:22 - Thoughts on the one bike qualifying from Flat Out Friday
27:15 - Who is your toughest competition in 2017?
27:47 - Do you have a favorite track?
28

This week, we put in a call to the man at the top, the CEO of American Flat Track, Michael Lock. We get to know the man behind the flat track resurgence, what drew him to the series and motorcycles in general, and expectations for the upcoming AFT season.

00:24 - Scottie update
00:47 - Michael Lock intro
01:30 - Talks of Flat Out Friday event
04:38 - Where are you from originally?
05:20 - How did you get into motorcycles?
09:05 - Talks of what inspired him to become a leader
10:55 - Talks of how his relationship with American Flat Track began
14:00 - What were your first impressions of the sport?
17:01 - Talks about changes to the sport over the past few years
19:39 - “…some things that are going to happen in the next 60-90 days are going to be game-changers…”
20:57 - Talks about changes to the race format in 2017
25:26 - Talks of the future of the Superprestigio
27:05 - What has Michael Lock and AFT been up to this off-season?
29:02 - Is there a reason behind why you have to ride o

Caught up with THE Johnny Lewis last week. We talked about the inspiration behind JL10 Training, his supermoto days, and his passion for motorcycles and the sport that has had an enormous impact on his life. This man has his hands in just about every aspect of flat track racing and loves to share his knowledge.

00:24 - Scottie update
01:20 - Johnny Lewis intro
02:40 - what have you been up to since Perris?
03:32 - “it’s one of those roller coasters you don’t ant to get off of...”
04:42 - what is the story behind JL10 Training?
07:51 - Talks of Cole Zabala
09:21 - Talks of Dallas Daniels
10:23 - “flat track is a very secretive sport”
11:26 - how do you customize training programs?
13:55 - “the motorcycle is a tool”
14:38 - Talks of sponsoring Chase Saathoff
17:14 - Talks of supermoto day’s
19:39 - how did you get into motorcycles?
21:35 - how do you feel about riding the most brands of twins into main events?
23:35 - Talks about the opportunity to race an Indian in 2017
28:20 - talks

Last week, while everyone else watched some other "flying tomato" capture gold in the 2018 Winter Olympics, I spent my time catching up with the 2017 AFT Singles Champion, Kolby Carlile. We got his take on last year's roller coaster season, talked about what he's done to build upon that success for 2018, and even discuss future plans of a possible twins ride for 2019.

00:24 - Scottie update
02:06 - Kolby Carlile intro
02:43 - What the heck were you doing in North Dakota?
03:46 - Talks about his move out to Phoenix
04:19 - Have you been riding a lot this offseason?
05:26 - How’d you get started in flat track?
06:19 - Talks of family supporting his racing
07:45 - Scottie’s helmet shop visit
08:54 - Thoughts on Lima race
11:11 - Talks of adversity in Calistoga
12:04 - Talks of tuner Andrew Butler
14:22 - who is going to be your stiffest competition this year?
16:04 -Talks of team dynamics and new teammate
17:28 - Talks of old teammate, Sammy Halbert
19:24 - Talks of future with Es

Caught up with Ryan Wells earlier this week during his drive home. We talked about the sequence of events that led him to Richie Morris Racing, his rookie season racing twins, his new home in Michigan, and his new love for ice racing.

00:24 - Scottie update
01:59 - Ryan Wells intro
02:49 - ice riding talk
05:39 - “I get my groove on”
07:42 - “ice riding is such a killer workout”
08:27 - how’d you get into flat track?
09:21 - talks about his bigger little brother
10:33 - “I love doing non-nationals...”
11:25 - talks about the timeline for his move to singles
13:26 - do you feel your 2017 was a success?
14:15 - what were your expectations heading into last season
15:10 - what’s the biggest difference between the singles/twins bikes?
16:22 - what was it like working with Jonny Gott?
19:12 - Wells’ Johnny Gott impression
19:40 - talks about decision to make the move from NY to Michigan
22:30 - “I ride with Jared, train with Bryan”
23:24 - what’s it going to take to win the 2017 Champion?

This week, we catch up with NBCSN pit reporter, Heather Debeaux. We talked about how she got involved in racing, working in television, and of course...flat track.

00:24 - Scottie update/Heather intro
01:35 - The “girl in the purple shirt”
02:38 - When Scottie met Heather…her intro to flat track
05:19 - Heather talks about her introduction to racing and on-air reporting
08:13 - talks about her first on-camera interview with Jimmie Johnson
12:18 - “…I could be a mechanic”
12:50 - Suggestions from the “King of Cool”
14:21 - “Shayner Texter”
15:44 - Kenny Roberts nuts
16:36 - Heather talks about her love for flat track
18:48 - What are your favorite racing tracks?
20:57 - Talks about training for a fitness competition
22:40 - “I really want a trophy”
25:21 - Take-aways from the 2017 season
26:53 - Jeffery Carver and hair ties
28:00 - Thoughts on racing in Daytona
29:30 - Buffalo Chip experience
32:46 - Expectations for the 2018 season

Caught up with this "California Kid" earlier this week. We talked briefly about his 2017 season, the big announcement he made during his "off-season," and his goals for the 2018 season.

00:24 - Scottie update/Cose intro
01:14 - What have you been up to since the end of the season?
02:27 - talks of signing 2018 deal with Indian Motorcycle Motorcycle of OKC
04:27 - Thoughts on the people involved with Indian Motorcycle of OKC
05:48 - Talks of Tom Englehart’s involvement in his program
08:52 - How did you get into motorcycles?
11:55 - Cose talks about announcing during Springfield ST in 2017
13:05 - Talks take-aways from 2017
14:24 - “It’s on my shoulders to get it done”
15:05 - Thoughts on Daytona TT
16:43 - Talks of racing in OKC in 2018 with “home-town” support
17:52 - Talk of struggles at Buffalo Chip
21:29 - What are you doing to prepare for the 2018 season?
22:33 - What are your goals for 2018?
23:34 - Ever thought about what you’d do after your first grand national win?
25:04 -

Caught up with one of the most entertaining tandems in the AFT Singles class, Jesse Janisch and Morgen Mischler, or as we call them, Team MJGR. We talked about ice racing, the teams highs and lows from the 2017 season, their super secret team radio communication set-up during races, and plans for the 2018 season.

01:06 - MJGR intro
02:30 - You guys both ice race don’t you?
05:58 - How Jesse Janisch got into racing flat track
08:15 - Merg’s background
10:58 - “When Merg met Jesse”
12:36 - What is M-J-G-R?
14:14 - Talks of racing inside Daytona International Speedway
17:32 - Thoughts on round 2 in Atlanta
19:20 - Thoughts on racing in Charlotte
21:00 - Jesse talks about frustration with coming second to Hayden Gilliam
22:32 - Talks of racing in OKC
23:26 - “We may or may not have radios inside out helmets…”
27:25 - The guys talk Buffalo Chip
29:03 - Talks of the Black Hills event
30:47 - Jesse talks about winning Peoria
32:34 - Merg talks about his 2nd place finish at the Springfi

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 Chi

Caught up with Jeffrey Carver Jr. a few weeks back, prior to him announcing his partnership with Indian Motorcycle. We talked through his 2017 season, his relationship with tuner Ben Evans, and get to know the rider behind what is shaping up to be one of the most interesting privateer racing efforts for 2018.

01:06 - Carver intro
01:48 - Carver talks yoga and how it benefits his program
03:57 - Carver tells us what he’s been up to since Perris, CA
06:15 - Carver’s thoughts on 2017 Daytona TT
09:03 - What changes would you make to the track in Daytona?
10:30 - Carver talks battery issues in Arizona
13:22 - Carver talks of brake issues and “parachuting” in Kentucky
14:08 - Van issues leading into OKC
15:32 - Carver’s thoughts on podium finish at Lima
17:31 - Carver talks about the first time he met Brad Baker
19:00 - Carver’s thoughts on transitioning from Singles to Twins class
21:53 - Carver’s thoughts on the Buffalo Chip
23:52 - Carver talks about the week leading up to his 1st Tw

Caught up with #14 Briar Bauman about a month ago, prior to him receiving the news he'd be competing in the 2017 Superprestigio in Spain. We talked about his 2017 season, what he has been up to since the finale, and plans for the 2018 season.

01:06 - Briar intro
01:50 - What have you been up to since the end of the 2017 season?
02:22 - Briar talks of his 2nd passion, hunting
05:06 - Thoughts on racing in the inaugural Daytona TT
06:15 - Issues in Daytona
08:05 - Any ideas for changes this year for Daytona?
11:01 - Do you stay and watch after mechanicals?
12:34 - Talks race in Charlotte on the XR-750
13:40 - Explains Sacramento mechanical…1/2 master clip + tire = 1 lucky Briar!
15:40 - Talks about troubles in Springfield
17:22 - Talks about struggling with mechanicals and the turning point of his season
19:34 - How’d you get good on the cushion? What were you thinking about heading into Lima?
20:33 - The Briar/Deubler Deal
21:17 - Talks about mindset after winning his first AFT Tw