Troy Dog
The Troy Dog Squad ELITE Athlete Program is now entering it’s third season. Can you believe that we’ve made it this far? What was once a loose program has turned into an official business of helping out privateers. The first year we had Kyle Chisholm and Grant Harlan, with a special appearance by Ashton Bloxom. Last year we had Harlan, Justin Starling, Bloxom, Luke Renzland, with special appearances by Steven Mages, Derek Kelley, and Ezra Hastings. It was an incredible year of growth. This year we’re coming in HOT with Harlan in his third season with the Squad, Starling in his second, and we officially locked in Derek Kelley for his first season. Also, staying with the team will be Bloxom as he recovers from a very complicated shoulder injury. If he decides to race again then he’s on the team as well.
I’m looking forward to this year. It’s a big year for us. In 2022 we broke out and introduced ourselves to the industry in a big way.
Hawaii’s own Grant Harlan continues a very steady climb of improving each year. Last season he raced 11/12 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Nationals on his own program driving to all the races by himself. He made some noise at RedBud when he almost pulled the holeshot on a stock motor. At the finale at Pala, which he originally planned on sitting out, the industry came together to help him race. Keefer Inc./Racer X/PulpMX’s own Kris Keefer let Harlan borrow a bike and Vital MX’s Michael Lindsey and Darkside provide him with some parts and a place to stay. Harlan had the best finish of his career with 11th overall in the 450 class and ran inside of the top five the majority of the day. He also had the chance to race the World Supercross Championship with the ClubMX team.
Harlan is heading into Anaheim 1 as a rookie in 450SX with the Manluck Rock River Yamaha team. It’s a great opportunity for the kid who never gives up. He’s turning into quite the fantasy legend as well.
When asked about how excited he was to be working with me again he had this to say…
“Same shit (slightly better), different year,” Harlan said.
In Har Dog terms this really means:
“Troy Dog and I really bring out the best in one another and I couldn’t imagine going into my rookie 450 season without him and the Squad having my back.”
Starling had his best 450SX season of his career finishing as one of the top privateers and 16th in points. He is entering the second year of his FXR/General Grind & Machine/JSR Motorsports team and is more than excited to continue his relationship with the Squad.
“Everything I do with my program is super serious, but you have to keep it fun somewhere, and I don’t have to go create the fun, because the fun is there with the Squad,” Starling said. “It levels out my program.
Derek Kelley joined the program for the last three nationals on his quest to get a top ten overall in a stacked 250 class. I started noticing DK Dog in the practice times last SX season. He was always inside the top ten in those. He also is a very solid rider with a big future ahead of him. I feel lucky that he was able to make it work and join the Squad for 2023.
I expect big things from this lineup this season. I’ll be here every step of the way getting insight for you guys and filling you in on things you might not know about them. The goal for me is to get these guys more exposure and more fans in the process. It seems to be working so far. Let’s cheer the Squad on this year and if you’re at a race stop by their pit and tell them you’re there because T-Dog sent you.
