Interview and Photos by: Chase Yocom – Written by: Dan Lamb

You never forget your first. Those words have probably been spoken to Traders Racing / Yamaha’s Luke Renzland all week long after he put his Yamaha on the box for the first time in his career. The man they call “El Dozer” is in his fourth year and has been slowly but steadily working his way up to being a player in 250SX class in Monster Energy Supercross. Over the first two years, Luke was hovering just inside the top ten, and last year, he began sniffing that top five group on the Traders Racing bike, but he was not quite there yet. In 2018, though, you could tell from the opener in Arlington—where he went from last to 9th—it was just a matter of time.

Over the first five rounds in 2018 Luke’s average start was 14.8—by far the worst of any rider in the top 10—and his average finish was 8.8, so we were all curious what might happen if the #38 actually started up front. At the 2018 Indianapolis East / West Shootout, we all got to see first hand, and he blew all our expectations out of the water. Luke started 3rd, moved up to 2nd and stayed there until being caught and passed on the final lap by Adam Cianciarulo to finish with his first-ever podium in third.

Not only did Luke finish 3rd, he did so by setting the fastest lap time of the main event—dispelling any and all doubt that he belonged there. What made his 3rd even more amazing was he did it with both the East and West on the line and he had never even finished in the top five before Indy. The night was a huge boost of confidence for the man from Hewitt, NJ and a night that could very well change the trajectory of his journeyman career.

After his podium, Chase Yocom got a hold of Luke to talk about it.

We’re not positive where Luke got the “El Dozer” nickname, but we love it.

Luke or “El Dozer”, third place in the 250SX Shootout in Indy. You have to be unbelievably stoked about the podium.

Honestly, it was the last thing I expected going into the East/West Shootout. I had my sights set on getting in the main. That was the first priority for me, and then just seeing how many points I could come away with battling with the baddest dudes from both coasts. To come out with a great start and honestly run the pace… Lately, in the East there’s been a lot of guys missing, so I’m glad to get it when there’s a full respect gate. There’s no asterisk next to my first podium. It’s been what I’ve known I could do all year; it’s just been a matter of executing. I know where I stand now with everyone on each coast. I’m looking forward to a little bit of a break and coming back a little bit stronger in Minneapolis.

 

Your night didn’t start off the greatest in Indy; you finished 9th in your heat race. Did you make any big changes to the bike heading into the main? What was the big turning point, was it just the start?

The whole day I felt amazing, but even in practice, I never got a lap to be proud of. I qualified 10th, which was terrible honestly. In the heat race, I botched the start again like normal. I said, “Oh, another night at the races starting from the back.” I barely got in with a 9th in the heat. Honestly, I haven’t changed anything with the bike all year. The Ohlin’s suspension has been great no matter what track we’re at. I didn’t make any changes. I felt really good on the bike. There wasn’t anything I could complain about. It was more a matter of explaining to the team why I wasn’t there [with results] but why I felt so good at the same time. I just screwed my head on a little bit better for that main event start and that’s all it took.

 

What was going through your mind with that start? Were you like, “Finally?”

Honestly, I was a little bit nervous because I didn’t know where I stood. I was having such a bad day and I was like, “Ah, man, am I faster than these guys?” Once I got into 2nd, I started reeling in Jeremy [Martin] every lap, and I knew I belonged right there. Words couldn’t describe what I was feeling.

 

What was it like the last couple of laps for you knowing the podium was right there? You made a little mistake in the one rhythm before the finish which let Adam Cianciarulo get up on you. Did you get nervous at all towards the end?

My foot hit a rut in the transition of that rhythm there, and I kind of hit a false neutral. First off, I thought I was going over the bars, but after I saved it, Adam was just all over me like white on rice.

We have a feeling this podium will open the flood gates for Luke moving forward.

A little spike in the heart rate?

A little bit, for sure. Honestly, I had no clue it was the last lap. I didn’t see the white flag or else maybe I would have guarded that inside a little tighter. Adam was going in for the kill for sure. He kind of crossed over a few ruts to make sure he took that position from me.

 

You were probably just thinking, “Please don’t take me down.” (laughs)

(laughs) Yeah, I was like, “Okay, I have third place still. It’s still on the podium.” If I knew it was the last lap, maybe it would have been more of a fight, but at that point I was just trying to mail it home for the podium.

 

Were you ever contacted or did you have a shot to fill in over at Star Racing on the factory Yamaha with all their injuries?

I did have a shot to fill in, but I’m happy where I’m at. We’ve put in endless hours on the bike back home over the winter, and I think it would be a bogus move to ever pull that on this team. They worked so hard solely on me. I’m glad to repay them with a podium. It’s the first, but for sure not going to be the last. I’m looking forward to being stronger and stronger as the season goes on.

 

What was the Traders team reaction to your podium? I’ve known Kenny [Day] and the guys for a long time. I’m pumped for them. What was it like heading over to the podium and seeing those guys?

It was unreal. Everyone on the team was as stoked as I was. I thought there weregoing to be tears and a big group hug like we were a bunch of Teletubbies down there just loving each other. It was really cool seeing Skip [Norfolk]—who’s been on the podium a countless number of times—was just as excited as when he was winning with Jeremy McGrath in the ’90’s. I couldn’t do it without any of those guys. Also the excitement of my brother—he jumped out of the stands and onto the stadium floor. He got kicked out of the stadium. I’m sure the excitement was just as unreal with my family at home watching TV. I’m sure everyone was as stoked as I was.

Author

Dan Lamb is a 12+ year journalist and the owner of MotoXAddicts.