Matt Weidman was the 2008 AMA Grand National Rookie of the Year and had a solid sophomore season this year scoring three top-five finishes with a best of fourth at the Lima Half-Mile. He ended the Grand National Twins Championship ranked eighth. To my eye Weidman is one of the most naturally-talented riders in the field. Lord knows his training regime isn’t what’s winning him races. Before the muggy hot Bulls Gap (Tenn.) round I talked with Matt as he downed a greasy cheeseburger and a large Mountain Dew from the track’s infield snack shack. He confessed that type of food was his normal fare. Still a teenager, he can get by with junk food for now. If he gets serious about his eating habits and training properly Weidman’s natural talent is such that he could easily be a championship contender.

Matt Weidman riding the cushion at the Indy Mile. (Larry Lawrence photo)