Race Report: So Cal Nationals, Chula Vista, CA April 15-17, 2011
The 2011 So Cal Nationals were held last weekend at Chula Vista's Olympic Training Center. The National was held in conjunction with USA Cycling's National Championship race. Friday kicked off racing with National #1, and McKenaa found herself among ten 8 year old girls vying for the 8 starting positions in the main event. She was able to transfer to the main in her second round. She was lucky enough to draw lane 1 for the main, and raced in 4th position for most of the race, but lost two spots in the final straight, finishing sixth.
Saturday morning started off with the opening ceremonies of the USA Cycling National Championships. This one day race would determine who the 2011 National Champions would be, and who would have the honor of wearing the stars and stripes of the US National Champion's jersey. The format for the days racing would be slightly different, with all racers racing 3 rounds for points, in an attempt to qualify for the main event. McKenna rode 3 solid rounds to transfer to the main event without much difficulty. As the gate dropped in the main, the length and heat of the day was evident, as McKenna put in a lackluster effort to finish in seventh place.
Sunday morning and it was business as usual, with an 8:00 am start of National #2. Again, there were 10 girls on hand to battle it out for a spot in the main. McKenna finished in 3rd place in the first round, narrowly missing one of the 2 transfer spots. She was able to win the next round, securing her spot for the main. After a long wait under the San Diego sun, main events got underway, and McKenna was given lane 5. She loaded into the gate and got ready for it to drop, but mis-timed it, and was last coming out. Chasing the pack down the first straight in last place, McKenna pulled off an awesome pass in turn 1, moving from last to 5th place. She challenged for 4th spot the rest of the race, but had to settle for 5th place on the line. She was very happy with this result, as she gave it 100% the entire track.
This race weekend was extra special for McKenna, as she had her little buddy, Preston Evans from Marietta, GA out to race and stay with her. It was great to watch the two of them practicing, racing, riding and hanging out with each other. She was saddened to see him leave, and she looks forward to the next race they will be at together. Good Luck to Preston next weekend at the NBL Gator National in West Palm Beach, FL.