That’s a wrap! The three round playoffs are over and the usual suspect won the 450 class but a surprise champion was crowned in the 250 class. Some of you may have thought that the tracks were kind of simple but they did provide some great racing over the three rounds. Even though Daytime Program was silent for sometime we have been keeping up on what was happening so why not give you some of the best and worst of the 450 class in the three round SXM playoff series! Here is what I feel some of those are. What do you think? Send me an email at kris@keeferinctesting.com for some of yours! Stay tuned for the 250 class next week!
Best 450 Rider: This is not a shocker but Jett Lawrence was impressive and won the championship, but Jett didn’t let his undefeated outdoor series go to his head and allow him to override the bike when he was pressured. Chase pressured him and beat him yet Jett kept his ego in check and that allowed him to comeback and win the next weekend even with controversy surrounding “the wave by”. I think it’s going to be a hell of year for Jett in 2024 and these other guys better get their bikes in order if they want to beat him. Jett will be on a proven SX machine as it is a rollover year for Honda and some of the contenders are working on new bikes and their settings! UH OH!
Most Impressive 450 Rider: Ken Roczen was/is amazing. Besides Chase, he is the ONLY one on the same level as Jett! WOW! Kenny (to me) has the best style in racing today and is doing it ALL ON THE RM-Z! Not only was Ken good, but it looked like he was in shape to do two 20 minute plus 1 lap motos! We couldn’t say that back in SX this year. He would run up front and then fade back at times. I don’t think ANYONE thought that Ken would be as good as he was this year in SMX.
Most Improved 450 Rider: Let’s give this to Ty Masterpool shall we! We aren’t used to seeing Ty do good at SX style events yet we know he is a bad ass on MX. This wasn’t a full on SX but Los Angeles was more SX than any other round and he hung in there with the top factory guys in each moto. Should we assume Masterpool races the 450 class next year? I mean we should as I think it’s a waste of time for him to drop down to a 250 and be a privateer.
Best Dressed 450 Rider: I am usually not a huge TLD fan, but holy crap I think Justin Barcia’s gear has been great all year, not just for SMX. I like the clean look and even the wild designs that Troy and his team have been putting together. It’s a shame to see JB51 go out with an injury at the last round so let’s hope he can get healthy soon so his 2024 SX campaign is as good as his 2023 SX push was.
Most Disappointing 450 Rider: I don’t know if “disappointing” is the right word but maybe it should be called “thought would do better”. Even though Jason Anderson showed flashes of brilliance, I thought he would be up in the points more at the end of all of this. Jason is another rider who can win at any given time but maybe the rigors of having a newborn as well as a long season took its toll on the Kawasaki rider. I don’t know, but I WANTED him to win a round!
Weirdest Moment Of The Series: Besides Jett waving Ken by, to me this has to go to the Hill Brothers. Almost every race these two would be racing next to each other. I don’t know if this was by design but both Hill Brothers finished next to each other on more than a couple occasions and even qualifying they would be next to each other on the timing sheets. I would think that Justin would be up in the results a little more than Josh but even though it was strange at times, it was cool to see both brothers racing together, on the same track, in the same class!
Best Looking Bikes: The throwback 1992 Kawasaki KX’s at Los Angeles were the best bikes out of the whole series! Don’t even question me on this! When AC was out there with the number 9 and the old FOX gear, I thought it was Ryno! I am not usually a fan of silver rims but they looked great on this bike. It instantly took me back to my teenage years! Thanks Kawasaki!
Best Track Of The Playoffs: I thought Los Angeles had the coolest track for the fans. Not being at a drag strip or a speedway allowed for better viewing and having the riders go up/down the Peristyle is another feature that no other round could match. The dirt wasn’t as good as Charlotte but the track had features that challenged the riders more. Since I was able to be on the floor and ride the track, I could vouch that it was tougher than it looked.
Worst Track Of The Playoffs: Chicago had to be the worst track as its dark dirt along with not so great lighting had the riders complaining and for good reason. Not to mention that the higher speeds made it tougher to pass.
