I-70 Half-Mile Recap – Odessa, MO | American Flat Track Racing
This past weekend, we were back in action at the FAST Half-Mile at I-70 Motorsports Park in Odessa, Missouri. It was an event full of challenges, weather surprises, and ultimately a strong performance that showed just how competitive our team can be.
Friday Practice – Dust, Frustration, and Track Changes
We rolled into Odessa on Friday for practice and were immediately met with a dry, dusty, and slick track. Things looked tough from the start, and Ferran Cardús faced an even steeper learning curve. Coming from Spain, he doesn’t have much experience on larger half-mile tracks since most tracks overseas are shorter and heavier.
We weren’t the only team frustrated. The American Flat Track crew stopped practice early to rework the surface in hopes of delivering better racing conditions for Saturday’s headline event. With that, practice was cut short, and we headed back to the hotel to regroup.
Race Day – Food Poisoning, Rain, and a Turnaround
Saturday didn’t exactly start smoothly. After battling a long night of food poisoning, I pulled myself together and got back to the track. Conditions were slightly improved, but the surface was still missing moisture — until Mother Nature stepped in.
A quick 20-minute monsoon soaked the track, turning what looked like another dusty, slick race into a tacky, fast racing surface. Suddenly, things were looking up.
Qualifying – Pressure to Perform
With the program shortened (no semis and only one round of qualifying), it was all or nothing: top 16 make the main event, the rest load up and go home.
We made late adjustments to the Honda 450 to get Ferran smoother through the corners, then sent him out for qualifying. Despite going out late — always a disadvantage — Ferran found clean track space, carried speed, and secured 13th place in qualifying, locking us into the Main.
Main Event – From the Back to the Top 10
Starting from 13th is never easy, but our goal was clear: run consistent laps, stay fast, and break into the Top 10.
After getting caught in first-turn traffic and dropping back, Ferran quickly charged through the field. He climbed as high as 8th before a small bobble shuffled him back again. With the shortened race time, every lap counted.
Digging deep, Ferran found a new fast line in turns 3 and 4 and pushed hard to the finish — bringing home a solid 9th place result.
Moving Forward – Eyes on Kentucky’s Red Mile
After early struggles, finishing in the Top 10 at Odessa gave us confidence. The speed is there, the bike is strong, and Ferran is adapting quickly to these bigger tracks.
Next up: The Red Mile in Kentucky, another new track for Ferran and another opportunity to prove we’re a competitive force in American Flat Track racing.
Final Thoughts
We left Odessa proud of the progress, encouraged by the results, and fired up for the next challenge. Racing is about growth, grit, and finding speed when it matters most.
See everyone at the checkers! 🏁
