Contributed by Haley Shanley, Senior Producer and On-Air Personality for FloRacing

I wasn't introduced to Dirt Track racing until I was 17 years old. Up until that point, my motorsports understanding and experience primarily centered around moto, Snocross and a dash of watching NASCAR on Sundays with the family. In fact, my first exposure to Dirt Track racing was visiting a moto track in the back yard of this guy named Craig Dollansky. A buddy told me he raced Sprint Cars, so went to Youtube to figure out what they were. Little did I know, Sprint Cars would become a major part of my career a decade later.

It was also a decade later I learned that Heskins and I share the same hometown, Saint Michael, Minn. So I can't even try to blame my ignorance on the fact that Sprint Car racing wasn't relatively popular where I grew up. Regretfully, I just wasn't exposed to it. 

My first Dirt Track race was the 2012 Tulsa Shootout. I had a lot to learn. All of my coworkers had been around the sport their whole lives. They would try to explain things to me, but some things were just over my head. I wasn't sure what to look for on track. I had a lot to learn. For a few dirt oval events, I had no idea what I was looking at if I couldn't hear the announcer to help guide me. It was confusing to me, as my eye as a fan and videographer was so trained to follow bikes and sleds. 

Motocross racing of any variety is highly entertaining. If you've never seen a race, here are a few things to watch out for that I think you might enjoy and appreciate. 

1. Fantastic Racing

Arenacross is very similar to Supercross in that it is held at major venues across North America. Unlike Supercross, which is held in stadiums, Arenacross is held in - you guessed it - arenas. While they are a very similar style of racing, the arena creates for even tighter racing while still providing high speed, big air and no shortage of drama. 

Additionally, there are two points championships, nn East Coast and a West Coast. So many stories to follow. 

2. The Talent

Arenacross attracts some of the most talented riders from the industry. You may recognize some names that also qualify for Supercross events. A number of these riders will also race professional outdoor motocross in the summer months in the US and Canada.

3. Great Run Of Show

There is very little down time in Arenacross racing. Amateur racing happens during the day. Come night time, it's Opening Ceremonies followed heat races, LCQs and Main Events for your pro divisions, 250's and 450's. They will fill any down time with a few of the remaining amateur Main Events. This is fantastic for in-person and online viewers alike. Races are often done by 10pm local time. 

4. Highly Physical Form of Racing

Every form of racing requires mental and physical fitness, no doubt about it. The pro motorcycles are upwards of 220lbs. Imagine muscling that around both on dirt and in the air. Trust me, the riders make it look too easy. Beyond that, any form of moto racing requires extreme cardiovascular endurance. I would argue that the fitness of pro riders meets or exceeds that of pro athletes of stick and ball sports.

Sprinkle that with the risk that comes with riding a dirt bike. It's mind boggling. 

5. The Track

Not only should you keep an eye out for the fastest lines, but there are so many areas of a track in which a rider can shorten his or her lap time; the whoops, rhythms, corners, sand section or even a split lane. Not every rider will hit the same rhythm cadence. For example, some may double while others triple. Some may hit the jump face-on, while others lay the bike down in an effort to cut down on air time upon takeoff (This is called a scrub). 

Like dirt track racing, the starts are so critical. Unlike dirt track racing, the riders line up behind a gate. Gate picks are awarded to riders based on their heat race performance. For example, your best overall heat race finisher will get first gate pick. Holeshot performance is likely to make or break a race for the rider. 

Much like how a Marshalltown Speedway differs from a Knoxville Raceway, each AX track is different from the other venues (The layout as well as the dirt that's brought in). That layout may also vary each time the series visits that venue. 

6. Motorcycles Are Awesome

This warrants no further explanation.

There is much more to AX racing than this, but hopefully it's a starting point for when you are scrolling through the FloSports app this weekend or in the weeks to come. 

P.S. Stay tuned, we have another special announcement coming to FloRacing very soon.