19 year old Brad Baker really showed his stuff at the 2012 Pomona National.
After winning the Dash, a lot of fans were thinking the same thing, this guy is going to be difficult to beat in the Main. Kenny Coolbeth didn't agree and layed waste to the entire field. The real excitement came from the battle between Baker and Bryan Smith. The Kawasaki mounted Smith overcame an incredible amount of adversity by coming from a back of the pack start after a wreck in his heat. Smith fought his way past 11 riders to get to Baker and when he got to him the fireworks began . Right on Baker's tail at the end of the straight he pitched it in low with Baker up high skirting the bales. Smith tried it high, low and in between but Baker screwed it on a little bit harder and a wee bit deeper gaining a hair going into the corners which he held to the checkers. Baker showed he has got what it takes to win one of these if not a whole pile of them. Smith showed his determination to come back from way behind and give the kid a real run for his money.
That's what the fans came to see and they all left fired up on Flat Track.
Dave Atherton is building the motors for the Dodge Bros effort and he and Kevin Atherton, working together with Brad, will no doubt be the catalyst to give Baker a real shot at the NO.1 Plate in 2013.
It is a pleasure to watch Brad ride. He was fresh off a win at the SCFTA Perris Short Track's " Night before the National" race where he beat a swarm of hungry Pros on 450 singles.
Dash for Cash
Brad got the jump in the first few feet and never looked back.
