ROCK SPRINGS – A dirt track is prepared as BMX racers from around the region get ready to run it over. The track does not care about the rider’s age or the gender. The only thing it cares about is being ready to race.
Riders of the Southwest Wyoming BMX Indoor Series made their way to Rock Springs to race this weekend.
Track Manager Stacey Rodgers said because there are no other indoor tracks, riders in Wyoming and surrounding areas come to Rock Springs to race once a month.
This weekend, riders ran Friday, Saturday and will close Sunday. Approximately 20 to 60 racers hit the track this weekend. Sunday registration is from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Rodgers wanted to remind any resident who may want to come and watch that it is free.
Caleb Jones is one of these riders who travel a long distance to race. Jones is 9-years-old and comes from Colorado Springs. He said he loves BMX because it is a fun sport. He said his favorite part of the track this weekend is how smooth it is.
Caleb’s father, Spencer, said coming to Rock Springs is very important because it is the only indoor track to race on. He explained riders from California and Arizona race year round, and this is the only way to keep pace with them.
Jerry Adams races alongside his sons and grandchildren. He said having an indoor track keeps riders up on their skill.
“Here in Wyoming, we are thankful we have an indoor track,” Adams said.
Adams knows a lot about the track because he is one of a handful who help build the tracks. He said when they build a track they like to mix it up and “keep it physical.” Adams added when he races alongside the other racers and sees how much they enjoy the track it makes him feel good.
Another young racer, 10-year-old Jeremy Brannon also enjoys the advantage of having an indoor track here at home. He said it keeps riders athletic and helps build endurance. He kept it very simple on the reason he rides BMX.
“I just really love it,” Brannon said.
Brannon said his favorite aspect of the Rock Springs track is the table top. When asked if the track was fast this weekend he smiled and said, “It’s not slow.”
Female rider Merri Toellner travels down from Casper. She started racing because of her boyfriend. She said her boyfriend use to ride and had not for awhile. After some time, he wanted to do it again. As she watched, Toellner said it looked like a lot of fun, and she wanted to try it.
“That was all she wrote,” she said.
Toellner said the indoor track is awesome, and the builders are the “best ever.” One thing she said she loves about the only indoor track is they make it different every month. Like so many others, Tollner agreed that it is the only way Wyoming riders can keep up and compete with the larger, warmer states.
