JUSTIN DOWELL INTERVIEW

from Pull Magazine July 2022

EAST COAST NATIONALS

LEFT: In 11-12 girls cruiser, former No.1 Champ Landon Burian had some epic battles with Velocity’s Camryn Searfoss.

RIGHT: Talkin’ about practice: Answer’s Elijah Heaney, BMX Shark’s Wyatt Worth and Full Tilt’er Tommy Bruney dial in the drag strip.

BELOW: Donavon Long still knows how to pick ‘em - his latest pickup, Ryan Rabinowitz was flyin’ out front of many 10x races.

As if Vet Pro wasn’t tough enough already, Emilio Falla and Supercross’ KJ Romero are the two latest rippers to age-up to Vet. Romero had been waiting for this moment, having turned 30 just a few weeks earlier. On Saturday, KJ nearly made the podium. Due to its fairly flat, very long and gradual first straightaway, everyone refers to Music City BMX as “The Drag Strip.” It’s where the riders with true horsepower and a powerful second-thru-fifth pedal, really stand out from all others. Their first obstacle is a small roller, which also forces the skilled racers to shine amongst all others. Power riders such as Cedric Cade, Sean Day, Knox Perkins, Ava Corley and Brenna Winter were flaunting their Pull. Amongst all of the Amateur talk in the pits, everybody was pumped to see the return of Marshall Gehrke, who was not only haulin’ buns but was often layin’ down some style for the fans. The Major took two wins out of 56 USABMX.COM H VOL. 12 / ISS. 6 six - one of them being in 15x, just nippin’ Sean Day at the white stripe. The day after Nashville was Albe’s Alexis Alden’s birthday, which meant this was her last chance to get in some precious wins as a 14 year old. ...and that she did, winning 14 girls all three days, along with Cruiser. Now 15, she’ll join the toughest class in all of Girls racing. 56 USABMX.COM H VOL. 12 / ISS. 6 In the cruiser classes, Rowdy Holzer scored three wins on his 24” Hydrogen (which looks an awful LOT like a Yess ...Hmmmm). Grayson Novak, Lucas Theisen, Elijah Heaney and Evan Sinchak all dominated their big wheeled age classes. Even Alfonso Giganti pulled off three cruiser wins aboard his Redline! Is it me, or does he ask “Is it me” a lot?!

Now let’s talk about the new faces in the crowd - namely, Colombian import Tomas Palmezano. “Insano” Palmezano is Black Widow’s new secret weapon, and he was flat-out whuppin’ up on the 14x class. Ink him in for wins all three days. Lil’ D Reeder, who’d just turned 14, exclaimed, “This class

is no joke!”

When all was said ‘n done, and everybody had packed up Sunday afternoon to beat the Memorial Day traffic heading home, there were plenty of smiles on kids’ faces. Regardless of what place they finished, everyone had all nearly OD’ed on adrenaline. The fun and thrills in Nashville will never, ever, stop.

DETAILS

Date: May 27 - 29, 2022 Location: Music City BMX City/State: Nashville, TN

States Represented: 45 ! Countries Represented: 6 !

Moto Counter

Fri: 285 Sat: 299 Sun: 267 Social Media Reach: 2,237,337 Social Engagement: 408,862

Team Winners

Friday:

Bike Shop - BMX Sharks Factory - Full Tilt - Radio

Saturday:

Bike Shop - Albe’s Factory - Full Tilt - Radio

Sunday

Bike Shop - BMX Sharks Factory - Ssquared

3 DOUBLES - NO TROUBLES

ALEXIS ALDEN 13-14 Gcru & 14 Girls CHAD STREET 46-50 Cru & 46-50 Expert DYLAN MYERS 7 & Under Cruiser & 7 Expert GUADALUPE PALACIOS 11-12 Mixed & 12 Girls SAWYER SMITH 7-8 Mixed & 8 Girls SHEILA KAUPPI 41+ Women & 46-50 Wcru TOMAS PALMEZANO 13-14 Open & 14 Expert

2 DOUBLES - 1 DAY OF TROUBLES

HAYDEN PASSANISI 11-12 Open & 12 Expert LOGAN LEE 10 Girls & 9-10 Mixed

a Single Double (Two Same Day Wins)

DAMIEN REYES 6under Open & 6 X ELI STATON 11 Expert & 11-12 Open GRAYSON NOVAK 8 Cruiser & 8 X HENLEY GREER 5under Girls & 6under Mixed JORDAN CALLUM 17-20 Expert & 17-20 Open JUSTIN WIKE 36-40 Cruiser & 36-40 X KNOX KINTZLER 6 & Under Mixed & 6 Inter KNOX PERKINS 10 Cruiser & 10 X RYAN BUNKER 31+ Open & 41-45 X LOLA JONJEVIC 13 Girls & 13-14 Mixed TYLER SMITH 26-35 X & 31 & Over Open