This is the Statt Mann, baby. It's time to Scatt a little bit.

We've made a lot of friends in the last ten years. And we've seen a lot of careers develop from nothing to rise to the top.

Take Ben Spies for example.  About nine years ago we saw a 16-year-old motorcycle rider slip into a Hooters Restaurant, eyes wide taking in everything.  You can imagine a Hooters to a 16-year-old!

Ben was working his way through the AMA ranks eventually wining multiple AMA Superbike championships.

In one of those championship seasons, Spies learned how to hoop like a champion, even running from the garage one afternoon to brag to me how he was now dunking the basketball.

Then on one trip to Fontana, Spies emerged into a makeshift studio a man.  Shoulders and all.  A man.

He's since gone on to win a World Superbike championship and, Sunday, he took a MotoGP podium from former World Champion Nicky Hayden. That's took as in passing him on the last lap “took!”

Ben Spies is one of the many racers we've met who I've enjoyed seeing grow up.  I'll enjoy seeing him become a World Champion too.  And that might not be far away.

Peace.