Joey Leto raced at the Stars and Stripes National held in Akron, Ohio on 7/1 – 7/2 which has been part of the USA BMX schedule for years.
The Akron track is more challenging than several other BMX tracks that have hosted National races this year. It is tighter with turns that are steep and sharp, and the jumps are close together. Nonetheless, on Friday, Joey placed 4th-3rd-3rd in qualifying rounds. In the semi final he placed 4th and qualified into the main (top 8) out of 29 riders. Joey placed 8th in the main on Friday.
On Saturday, Joey qualified into the main again, passing the 4th place rider on the last straight in the semi final.
“My head was in a different spot this time around. On Friday I was happy just to be in the main but I wanted more Saturday,” Leto remarked. He finished 4th in the main event on Saturday making it his highest placing elite main event of the season. This was also the first weekend he made two elite main events both Friday and Saturday.
“Overall this weekend was a great success. As always, I am so thankful for Route to support me at my races, and hearing the announcer say “riding for Staystrong and Route” is a good feeling,” Leto said.
