Chuckwalla Valley Motorcycle Association Round 6

Lexi M

March 24, 2026

Saturday March 21st 2026


CVMA Round 6 kicked off at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway with high stakes and even higher temperatures, as the desert valley prepared for a weekend forecast peaking at a blistering 104 degrees.
Justin Murphy opened the Saturday pre-show by welcoming fans to the 951 Live broadcast and diving straight into the heart of the paddock to capture the energy of the event. The show set a determined tone for the weekend, emphasizing the importance of hydration and trackside safety through TMR’s support while celebrating the resilient, family-oriented spirit that defines the CVMA Racing Community.
Joel Ohman, the founder of Lap Snap,

Joel discussed his recent racing experience at Daytona and the technology behind his data-analysis app. He described the exhilarating yet “scary” experience of drafting on Daytona’s high banks before explaining how Lap Snap helps racers improve by providing professional-grade telemetry. The mobile app allows riders to compare their own data—including throttle, braking, and lean angle—directly against professional riders like Josh Hayes and Corey Alexander, making advanced coaching tools accessible without the need for expensive or complicated hardware.

Reflecting on his own journey, Joel shared how he transitioned from a street rider to a national-level racer, a path that began with his first adult paycheck and a “beat-up” Suzuki 600. He emphasized that Chuckwalla Valley Raceway is uniquely a “flow track” that rewards smoothness over aggressive braking, noting that trying to push too hard often results in slower lap times. This analytical approach, blending his engineering background with on-track performance, led to the creation of Lap Snap as a way to help others in the community “go faster, faster”.

Miki Nagaida

Miki shared her journey from riding scooters in Japan to becoming a competitive racer in California. She expressed gratitude for the broadcast coverage, which has allowed her family in Japan to finally see her in action on the track, bridging the distance between her current racing life and her home country. Miki’s path to the track included a solo 3,000-mile cross-country trip on a Harley Sportster, an adventure that solidified her love for riding across America.

She also discussed her dedication to technical improvement, noting that she attended the Yamaha Champ School four times to master skills like trail braking and cornering. Beyond her performance on the track, Miki is a passionate DIY enthusiast who designs and wraps her own gear, including the custom Shoei helmet she featured during the show. She highlighted the supportive community at CVMA, specifically mentioning the synergy within her team, Victory Racing, and the invaluable work of the track marshals who keep the events running safely.

Josh Fogle

Representing TMR (Trackside Medical Response), Josh discussed his transition from professional racing to providing specialized medical care for the CVMA community. His racing career, which included a stint in MotoAmerica, began after a dramatic street accident where he was run over by a pickup truck. This background as both a racer and an ER/ICU nurse gives him a unique perspective on safety, allowing him to understand the specific mechanisms of motorcycle-related injuries better than general medical providers.

Josh and his wife Rachel established TMR to provide a high level of care while helping the track maintain financial stability. He identified the “Chuckwalla Special”—collarbone, rib, and concussion injuries—as the most common incidents handled by his team, often occurring when riders refuse to let go of the bars during a slide. Despite his demanding role protecting the paddock, Josh hinted at a return to the grid, emphasizing the “family” atmosphere and camaraderie that defines the CVMA community.

The weekend’s broadcast was anchored by a dynamic commentary trio who brought a wealth of experience and local flavor to the 951 Live booth.

Al Garcia, widely recognized as the “Mayor of the Paddock,” offered legendary insight into track history and machine performance, drawing on his deep roots within the local racing culture.

Alongside him, Shaughn Reid provided essential technical play-by-play, utilizing his expert background to break down the precision required for high-stakes starts and the tactical nuances of every passing zone.

Adding to the expert analysis was Ryan Johnson of Throttle Sauce, whose enthusiast-driven perspective and infectious energy helped bridge the gap between the technical grit of the paddock and the global audience watching from home.

Their collective chemistry and shared passion for the sport ensured that every moment of Round 6 was narrated with the authority and excitement the CVMA community deserves.

The CVMA Racing Round 6 Saturday broadcast from Chuckwalla Valley Raceway featured intense action across multiple classes, marked by blistering desert heat reaching over 100°F and track temperatures soaring near 180°F.

Key Race Highlights

  • Race 1: Hooligans & Formula Ultra Lightweight
  • Race 2: Formula Open Combined
  • Race 3: Amateur Formula Open
    • Eugene McMahel took an early lead with a massive “wheels up” launch but suffered a mechanical failure that forced him to drop back [03:18:01].
    • Austin Edgeton capitalized on the leader’s misfortune to take a comfortable 17-second victory [57:52].
  • Race 4: Middleweight Combined
    • Jack Roach and Haydn Meng delivered one of the closest races of the day, running identical lap times within thousands of a second. Roach narrowly held off Meng for the win [01:13:36].
  • Race 6: Formula Twins Combined
  • Race 9: 350 ,400 & 500 Super Sport
    • Anthony Estrada made a daring last-second pass on Nathan Gravelle at the final corner to win by just 0.02 seconds in a spectacular photo finish [02:40:06].
    • Amateur Jake Tran impressed with a strong 1st  place finish in the Amateur 500 SS class, showcasing significant improvement in his rookie season [02:35:07].

Sunday March 22nd 2026

The CVMA Racing Sunday Pre-Show for Round 6 featured several interviews with racers and key personnel, highlighting personal journeys, technical expertise, and the operational philosophy of the club.

Rachel “Little Legs” Kelly

Rachel Kelly shared her transition from riding mountain roads in Colorado to competitive track racing. After a few close calls on public roads with gravel and wildlife, she decided to move to the track for a safer environment where she could push her limits [00:27]. She also explained her nickname, “Little Legs,” which originated from her college cheerleading days and stuck as she built her social media presence. Being 5 feet tall presents unique challenges on the bike, such as having to tiptoe at the start and managing the weight of the bike, but she finds a clear advantage in her power-to-weight ratio [02:22].

Rachel detailed the intense dedication required to fund and attend races, often balancing three jobs and driving seven hours overnight from Salt Lake City to Colorado just to compete. She eventually joined CVMA to keep racing through the winter months when tracks in Utah and Colorado are closed due to snow [05:09]. Currently, she is racing the new Aprilia 457 platform, which she finds perfectly built for the track with very few modifications required to make it race-ready [06:52].

Michael Bassani – Unical Racing

Michael Bassani discussed his background in motorsports, which began with endurance car racing in a “$500 shitbox” before he pivoted entirely to motorcycles [08:54]. He now operates Unical Racing, a consultancy focused on data acquisition. His work involves helping teams and individual riders make sense of complex telemetry data from AIM and 2D loggers to improve bike performance and rider technique. He also serves as a data engineer for Arch Racing, where he focuses on developing ECU control strategies and “frowning at laptops” all weekend to analyze squiggly lines [10:43].

In addition to his technical consultancy, Michael discussed his involvement with RideSmart’s “Fly and Ride” program at Circuit of the Americas, which allows riders to rent track-ready Aprilias [17:13]. He highlighted the stark difference between street-legal 1000cc bikes and professional superbikes, noting that the latter involves massive weight reduction, significantly more power, and a $170,000 price gap [15:45]. He also touched on a personal month-long solo motorcycle trip across the Western U.S., emphasizing the resilience and community spirit found in the riding world [14:18].

Richard “Cowboy” Stamp – CVMA Operations Director

Richard Stamp, a retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant, brought his logistics and maintenance management expertise to CVMA. He was the club’s original race director in 2011 and eventually transitioned into his current role as Operations Director [22:00]. He credits the club’s success to its “for racers, by racers” philosophy and its unique position as a winter series, which attracts talent from across North and South America during the off-season [23:51]. Stamp emphasized that fairness and safety are paramount, with strict rule enforcement that applies equally to everyone, including himself and professional big-name racers [25:29].

Operating with a core team of about 32 staff members, Stamp noted that CVMA thrives on a mantra of making “every round better than the last” [26:37]. He explained his nickname, “Brother Cowboy,” which came from his time with the Mounted Marine Corps Color Guard and the fact that he is often the only one in the paddock wearing a cowboy hat [28:28]. Under his guidance, the organization has learned to manage everything from desert dust storms to rare rain events, ensuring a professional and timely schedule for the racing community [25:45].

The CVMA Racing Round 6 Sunday broadcast at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway delivered a day of intense competition across multiple classes, characterized by strategic racing and significant milestones.

Key Race Highlights

  • Race 1: Formula Superbike Sunday & Super Sport Open
    • Danilo Lewis executed a perfectly timed pass on Michael Gilbert late in the race to take the win, demonstrating patience and superior pace in the final laps [47:37].
    • Mark DeGross secured the win in the Super Sport Open second wave, finishing ahead of points leader Sahar Zvik [49:27].
  • Race 2: Amateur Super Sport Open
    • Austin Edgeton dominated once again, capitalizing on an early lead and maintaining a comfortable gap to win by a significant margin [01:05:32].
    • The battle for the remaining podium spots was intense, with Leonard Guidry and Alex Francis 🍌 swapping positions until a mechanical issue unfortunately sidelined Guidry [01:03:05].
  • Race 6: Formula Open Shootout (Big Money Race)
    • This “main event” featured a dramatic tactical battle between Danilo Lewis and Corey Alexander. After several lead changes and high-speed maneuvers, Corey Alexander emerged victorious with a strategic late-race pass [02:20:03].
    • Michael Gilbert and Nicholas Ciling rounded out the top four in a race where the front-runners pulled a massive 5-second gap on the rest of the field [02:16:19].
  • Race 7: Formula Twins Shootout
  • Race 8: Middleweight Shootout
    • Jack Roach and Hayden Meng reprised their Saturday duel, running neck-and-neck for the entire race. Roach managed to hold off Ming’s persistent attacks to secure the win by just thousands of a second [03:03:05].
    • Josh Fogle made a triumphant return  competition , clinching 4th  place after a thrilling last-lap pass on Emily Grana [03:04:03].
  • Race 9: Formula Ultra Lightweight Shootout
    • In a spectacular photo finish, Sawyer Lafayette overcame an injury to his hand to battle from the back of the grid and win, narrowly beating Nathan Gravelle  and Anthony Estrada in a three-wide charge to the line [03:24:02].
  • Race 10: Formula 40
    • Sahar Zvik further extended his points lead with a solid victory, though the race was cut short by a red flag on the final lap [03:40:41].

Sunday Technical & Track Notes

  • Lap Records: The cooler morning temperatures provided ideal conditions for record-breaking runs, most notably by Gio Alvarez [02:37:05].
  • The “Draft”: Commentators noted that the long front straight at Chuckwalla became a critical tactical area, with many races decided by drafting maneuvers across the finish line [02:13:03].

The penultimate round of the CVMA season was a masterclass in endurance as Chuckwalla Valley Raceway transformed into a true desert crucible. With air temperatures climbing past 104°F and the “Chuckwalla special” tarmac heat soaring near a staggering 180°F, both man and machine were pushed to their absolute limits.

Riders faced “greasy” track conditions that made every corner a tactical gamble.

Yet, the paddock’s resilience never wavered; from Sawyer Lafayette battling through a severe hand injury to Gio Alvarez shattering lap records despite the blistering conditions, the racing remained as fierce and precise as a winter morning.

This weekend was not just a showcase of speed, but a testament to the ironclad support system that defines the CVMA community.

The TMR (Trackside Medical Response) team worked tirelessly to keep the paddock hydrated and safe, while the 951 Live crew and track marshals braved the scorching sun to ensure the international audience didn’t miss a single millisecond of the action.

As the dust settles on Round 6, the focus shifts toward the double-points finale in April. The grit displayed this weekend by every racer and staff member proves that while the Southern California desert may be unforgiving, the spirit of the “Velocitus Adictus” migration is entirely unbreakable.

Race Results
Tags :
ChuckwallaValleyRaceway,CVMA,EventCoverage,MotorcycleRacing
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