Every rider who has advanced to the Progressive American Flat Track ranks has competed in so many races throughout their life, it’s virtually impossible for them to recall every last one. However, some races are simply unforgettable, whether due to triumph, disaster, excitement, chaos, or hilarity.

In this series, we ask the world’s greatest dirt trackers to tell us about one particular race that stands out in their memory, be it a Progressive AFT Main Event, a regional amateur race a decade ago, or simply an epic backyard barnburner.

For this one, we’ve specifically requested Turner Racing Honda’s prodigy Kage Tadman to revisit his stunning professional debut at last year’s Ventura Short Track as the series prepares to make its return to the beachside venue. 

Heading into Ventura, I was nervous. For sure. I mean, I get nervous at every race, but this was a whole different deal – we're in the big leagues now.

So, it was nerve-wracking for sure. But I kind of went in there open-minded, thinking anything could happen. I was just hoping to make the Main. I thought I was fast enough to do that and hopefully finish mid-pack or something.

We went out for practice, and I was pretty high up the leaderboards. I thought I got lucky. I didn't really feel that great – I felt pretty mediocre, to be honest. I’ve definitely had days where I felt better on the bike. And then after qualifying, I pulled off the track and someone in the pit was holding up “P1.” “P1? Sweet!”

That was a confidence booster. I knew we had some good speed, but still, it’s qualifying. You’ve just got to do one good lap. It’s different when you have to do a whole race with that speed. So, I was still kinda… I wouldn’t say skeptical, but I wasn’t getting my hopes up or anything like that.

When it came time for the heat race, it was pretty sweet starting from pole, for sure. I got an okay start but kinda got pinched off going into Turn 1. I was probably running second or third coming off of (Turn) 2 on the first lap. I think (Evan) Renshaw was out front. I tried to run the bottom and get underneath him, but he was running such a good line.

I figured I should explore some different lines. I got a really good drive going into 1, and I was able to roll around on the outside of him and take his line away. I remember once I got into a lead, I was like, ‘Oh crap, I'm in the front! I'm in first right now…’ And then I was like, ‘Okay, let's settle down.’

I was able to find a real good line and stick with it. Winning that heat was sweet for sure.

Still, it wasn’t until the (1st Impressions Challenge) that I started to think we actually might have a chance in the Main. There I was pit up against the top three guys.

I just remember getting a good start and putting my head down. I was able to kind of run my high line, and I didn't really see anybody after that.

Chase (Saathoff) and Trevor (Brunner) were congratulating me going down the back straight after I won the dash, and I didn’t know what I was supposed to do next. I yelled to Chase, “Where do I go now?”

My parents were super chill all day. My whole family, everybody around the pits, they weren't getting super hyped up or getting my hopes up or anything like that. I think that helped a lot. I was just laid back most of the day, being real chill.

I got a good start in the Main. I think Chase went around me on lap 1 or lap 2. I was behind him for about a lap, and then I was able to get around him. But right when I did, they pulled out a red flag.

I was super amped up. My heart rate was through the roof. I was happy to get a good start, but I knew I needed to do it again. And then Kristen Beat was trying to interview me, but I was sitting there freaking out. I was just leading a pro Main minutes earlier. I didn't know what to say.

We lined up for the restart, and I got such a good start. I was able to put my head down and run my race. I saw Chase trying to peek up underneath me a couple times. I wouldn't say that motivated me to go any faster, but it definitely kept me on my toes.

That was the hardest I’ve ever ridden. Midway through the Main, I was like, ‘Okay, we’ve got to be close to the end, right?’ I looked at the clock and saw we still had three minutes left. ‘Okay... better chill out.’

When I saw the two laps to go flag, my arms were noodles. Those last two laps, I was all over the place. I was just hoping that I had a big enough gap that those mistakes weren’t going to cost me.

It was a sick experience for sure. I was so stoked on it. Just the whole environment, it was sweet. I don't think there could have been any better place to make my debut. The fans were sick, and my whole family was there, tons of friends… It was sweet, for sure.

We weren't really planning on running the rest of the season. It was just going to be those two California rounds, but after winning both of those races, how could we not continue? Me and my mom and dad, we were able to get some things figured out so that we could make it the rest of the season.

I'm super thankful for them. They will do whatever it takes to get me to the track. And that's what they did. We've been very fortunate to get the opportunities we’ve had since.

And now we’re getting ready to go back to Ventura. This year has been a learning curve, for sure. The Hondas are way different from what I’m used to. I like them, and I don’t have any complaints, but they’re different, and we’re still learning them.

Adapting to the team takes some time too. Again, it’s different from what I’m used to. It was always just me and Dad at the track. That’s how it was my whole life, and now there’s lots of new voices. But I’m spending lots of time with the team, and that’s really helping me adapt.

I think we have a good set-up for the bike going in, and the team has so many resources. If we have any kind of setback, we have so many people that are willing to jump in and help out.

Going back to Ventura and Chico, I have… I wouldn’t say pressure, but there are a lot of people expecting me to do the same thing again.

And yeah, I would love to win again. Especially there. But I try not to think about it too much. I’m just going to do the same thing I did last year, in that I’m going to come in open-minded. Whatever happens, happens.

That’s what I try to do every race. If I put too much pressure on myself, that’s when I get in my head and don’t perform as well as I’m capable of.

I’m just going there and going to have fun. Racing is our passion. I’m going to take advantage of that opportunity and enjoy it. I'm stoked for it.