Troy Dog
Troy Dog joined the bLU cRU and you should too! Have you seen the new 2024 models with the special livery? Go look right now! It’s amazing. Yamaha also supports T-Dog Squad ELITE Athlete Marshal Weltin. Purchase a Yamaha today and shred like him, Eli Tomac, Cooper Webb, Haiden Deegan, plus more!
The Honda HRC Team is thriving right now.
Both the 250 and 450 riders are hitting their stride and at RedBud, Chance Hymas took home his first professional win, after three years of development.
AND no one was happier about it than his teammate: Jo Shimoda.
Shimoda, who has actually been trending up since the opening round at Fox Raceway, has gone 6-5-4-4-3-3 in the first six rounds. Yet, here he was at RedBud after the second Moto giving his buddy Chance a hug and telling him great job behind the podium. “I got third!” Shimoda said. “Let’s go!” He even said that he couldn’t be any happier for Hymas on his podium interview as well.
I was at RedBud and I decided to do something different to cover the race and boy am I glad that I did. I took it in from a fans perspective with my family. Bub Dog, Duke Dog, and Ginger Dog were all right there on the fence for the 250 podium celebration. I had the chance to witness something special for the Honda HRC Team. Literally the whole team was up there next to the podium and the crowd did chant about Trey Canard at one point.
I’ve been around this team during their celebrations before, for a few Lawrence brother wins, as well as their championship celebrations and parties. I can say that everyone on this team genuinely cares about one another and they couldn’t be any happier for their successes along the way.
Back to Shimoda, I say that Freddie Noren is the nicest guy on tour, but young Jo may be giving him a run for his money.
The way Shimoda carries himself, he just seems like one of the most genuine and caring people in this sport, maybe even the universe. I have a pretty good judge on character (although sometimes it may take me a while to figure someone out, but I eventually do) and Shimoda is a good dude.
So, if I were going to pick a teammate, I wish it were Shimoda. His constant reassurance and happiness when I do well just makes the journey better for everyone. Then I would return the favor when he won as well.
This Honda team has it figured out right now. They treat one another like family and it’s awesome to see. This wasn’t always the case, actually it was never the case, at Honda over the course of history. The Big Red Machine was known for one thing and that was winning championships and being cutthroat for winning. If you couldn’t win on a Honda, well then you may as well quit because you aren’t going to win on any other brand, was basically the mantra.
Now the team is winning with a solid support system and Shimoda is a big part of that as are Jett, Hunter, and Hymas. Everyone seems to be clicking at the same time and it’s a well oiled machine.
Now if I could just get Shimoda to hype me up the next time I do something, I’ll be in good shape!
Cheers Jo, I need you to be my teammate and hype up this column for me.
Main Image: Octopi Media
