2008 NBL Grand Nationals, Louisville, KY

Randy Stumpfhauser wins NBL #1 Elite Pro Title, Becerine finishes 2nd

The 2008 NBL season concluded this past weekend in Louisville, Kentucky and it was a battle down to the last turn, as Randy Stumpfhauser and Cristian Becerine were both going for the NBL #1 Pro title. The NBL Season has been highlighted with Olympic qualifiers and some of the best racing in NBL History and the NBL Grands Main event would become the decision maker for the 2008 #1 Pro. Both Randy and Cristian were both ready to race it out for the title, while Danny Caluag was attending to support the NBL series sponsor Intense BMX and Bawls Guarana and be a factor come main event time. Here is how each of the 3 finished up the NBL season at the Grand Nationals.

Randy Stumpfhauser has had one of his best and disappointing seasons in 2008. Randy, like all other eager USA BMX’ers had dreamed of being part of the USA Olympic team for the past 4 years since the announcement of BMX in the games. Unfortunately, after being one of the favorites to earn a spot on the team, Randy suffered 2 back to back injuries that caused him to have to make the toughest decision of his BMX career, and to pass on is Olympic dreams. Randy then put his focus to the NBL 2008 Pro title, and this past weekend, he earned the title and made his focus and decision an excellent choice. Things started out in a great way for Randy on Friday night, as the NBL held its last Pro Series event before the NBL Grands Pro Spectacular on Saturday night. Randy sat just 7 points being series leader Cristina Becerine before the night started and needed to get a 5th or better in the main event to gain points to help him have a shot at the title. Randy, in his usually fashion, was out front just about every lap of his qualifiers and stormed his way into the main event. When the gate dropped, Randy was out front and untouchable. With the win, Randy gained 8 points and moved just one ahead of Cristian for the year end title. It would all come down to who ever did better at the Grands main event. Randy carried that momentum into Saturday night’s Grand National finial event. In the 2nd moto, Randy actually crashed when a fellow racer went down just in front of him in the Pro Section. Randy was able to get up, unscathed, finish the lap in 5th, and go on to win the last qualifying round, propelling him into the main event. When the Pros lined up for the main event, not one knew what exciting racing was about to happen. Randy took the early lead, with Cristian stuck in 5th going into the first turn, and it looked as if it was an easy run away win for Randy, but Cristian took the most incredible line in the first turn and came out in 2nd, just behind Randy. Randy rode the lap of his life, holding off the hard charge from Cristian and won the main event. The result gave Randy the points to earn his 2nd NBL #1 title. Randy's sponsors include GT Bicycles, Bombshell, ODI, Tangent, Fly Racing, Sinz Racing, Shimano, GO211.com, OGIO, Cyto Sport, SDG, Sharp, Sun Ringle, and BMXPros.com

Cristian Becerine season has also been one of great results, as Cristian not only came back from a season opener, where his NBL license was expired and losing points from 2 3rd place finishes to take the lead in the NBL points after the last weekend of the NBL Pro series event in Nashville, but he just retuned from the Olympics where he represented Argentina in the BMX Race. Cristian, the 2007 NBL #2 Élite Pro waned to up his overall ranking, went into the Friday night main event hoping to hold onto his lead, but with him finishing 3rd and Randy winning, event thought he gained a few points, he would sit just one point out of the title chase. Saturdays race went well for Cristian, as he won all of his races throughout the day and looked to be ready to take home the win and National title. Unfortunately, even thought he rode his heart out in the main event, he was only able to finish 2nd, just behind Randy and miss out on the title. Cristian showed the true sportsman he is, by congratulating Randy on is win and title. Cristian is one of he sports true great all around racers and his time for a title will come very soon. Cristian's sponsors include Free Agent, KHS, Fly Racing, SINZ, Kenda, THE Products, ODI, Sun Ringle, Shimano, Cyto Sport, S & M bars, OGIO, Thomson, and BMXpros.com

Danny Caluag attended the NBL Grands to see if he could make his first full season on the NBL Pro circuit a success. Danny had missed a few events to attend some ABA events and due to injury, so he was on the minimum amount of races to even qualify him for an overall national number in the Elite Class. Danny was able to race his way into the main event at the Saturday night Grands main event and finished up 8th, giving him the points to finish up the season in the National #9 spot. Danny, who currently leads both the ABA points in AA Pro and the Pro Cruiser class, is looking to make history with back to back double Pro title wins in the ABA. Look for Danny to focus on the rest of the ABA events in 2008 and hopefully rewrite the record books once again. Danny's Sponsors include Intense BMX, BAWLS Guarana, Fly Racing, Skull Candy, Shimano, THE Products, SINZ Racing, Intense Tyre Systems, OGIO, Cyto Sport, Thomson, Oakley, GO211.com, S & M Bars, and BMXpros.com

Steven Cisar was not at the NBL Grands, but at the ABA National event in Reno, Nevada. Steven raced a huge group of top AA Pros who did not attend the NBL Grands and had a great weekend. On Saturday, Steven finished up 3rd overall in AA and on Sunday, he did one better with a 2nd in the AA Pro class. Steven looks forward to the upcoming Dew Action Sports tour in Salt Lake City, where he will compete in the BMX Supercross event and hope to move up in the overall ranking in the UCI series. Steven’s sponsors include Haro Bikes, Rockstar Energy Drinks, Troy Lee Designs, Vans, SINZ, Tangent, THE Products, Intense Tyre Systems, Time, Alex Rims, Oakley, and BMXpros.com