The first east coast race of the year has come and with it, some gnarly crashes. Detroit’s dirt was soft/sticky and looked very difficult to ride. These types of conditions proved to be tough on the riders as well as set up. Here is what I watched as well as heard from Dan Campbell’s house.
Jett Lawrence: Back to regular scheduled programming. Even though Jett had a couple moments in the main event, he managed his lead well. Does this roll over into Phoenix? We shall see but just know with Jett being only one point out of the lead the others should be a little worried. His suspension set up has got softer since A1 and hes supposedly more happy with it. We shall see… That should work at Phoenix where it will be the opposite of Detroit.
Ken Roczen: Kenny went back to Florida this week and gets a podium. Coincidence? Maybe, but nonetheless Ken has been podium material for a while but some bad luck has hurt the likable German. From what I am told, he hasn’t changed a suspension spec in quite sometime and is genuinely happy about his set up. He was one of the fastest in the whoops all night long. Check the segment times!
Eli Tomac: I. Don’t. Know. Bueller? Bueller? Maybe by the time you all read this we will have an answer but that was really weird. Let’s chalk it up to arm pump. Yeah, arm pump.
Dylan Ferrandis: When Dylan beats Hunter Lawrence a little piece of him is smiling inside. Anytime this Factory Connection Honda team can beat the factory team, it’s going to be a good night! Dylan has been putting consistent rides and even though this seventh place may not be outstanding in your eyes, it’s pretty damn impressive considering where he was a couple months earlier.
Tristan Lane: Let’s go Tristan! Cool dude and doing it with a cool team with Next Level. For a privateer to be able to make a main event in 2024 is a HUGE deal. Some of these guys don’t ge the credit they deserve for being REALLY GOOD RIDERS, because they are surrounded by UNGODLY TYPES OF TALENT ON A DIRT BIKE! Tristan has been doing well this year and making the main event in Detroit shows that he’s a great rider and that some of these non factory bikes are pretty damn good dirt bikes as well.
Derek Drake: D2 has been unreal this year! From having heart surgery to getting consistent top 15s is pretty damn good! I thought it was weird that he is racing the 450 class but this does prove that some riders are just better 450 riders than 250. In the 450 class you don’t need all the bells and whistles on your team to put in solid rides. Hell, maybe this gets him a better 250 ride in the future? This isn’t a knock on the Bar X Suzuki team but maybe getting a chance on a factory level type of 250 team because he’s been impressive in the 450 class, is NOT that far fetched.
Austin Forkner: REJOICE! Austin was sooooooo close to having another gnarly first turn crash but he escaped it and won the damn thing! I don’t think anyone else out there is more deserving than this guy (maybe only J Mart). He switched up his program, got married and went head on with a Ryno and came out better for it. Say what you want about Reno, but there are some things that work from the old school days and Ryno has showed Austin this and he looks better on the bike. Oh and he’s still fast as hell! Congrats to the PC team and Austin!
Max Anstie: The Max hype wasn’t that far off. He rode well and a second place is not a bad way to start a series. I think as the series goes on, Max will get better. He needs a little better start to keep up with the fast twitch fiber’d kids but he has a shot in this. Only having nine whoops a race hurts a guy like Max as he is awesome through the whoop de doos.
Daxton Bennick: I will be honest. I didn’t see this. I am ashamed to say it and maybe I’m an idiot but if you would of bet me if Daxton podiums Detroit, I would have taken that bet ten out of ten times. He looks strong and his technique is great! He looks a lot like Levi Kitchen when he rides and being at The Farm every day riding with fast guys has helped.
Coty Schock: HELL YESSSSS! Coty got dropped from Phoenix Honda and then Club MX Yamaha picks him up and have literally picked him up. I feel like the Club MX team/staff are there for positive energy and that manifests into their riders. Is that too deep? I don’t know, I think when you have a team of guys that give it to you straight and are there for YOUR best interests, it gives riders a confidence that shows on raceday. I’ve been riding with Coty on a couple of occasions and he is an incredible talent on a bike. He belongs in the top 8-10 all year and I think that is where you see him.
Jalek Swoll: Jalek made history! He is the first rider to put a Triumph motorcycle into an AMA Supercross Main Event! I know first hand that this kid has been putting the work on/off the bike. Guided by AMA National Champion Mike Brown, Jalek came from a first turn pileup to sixth. Impressive! That also shows me (and hopefully you) that he has some grit inside of him. It’s hard to pick yourself up off the ground and get back into race pace, but “Swoll-der” (that’s mine) did just that. I am sure he wants more, but a sixth place for your first race back in over a year is pretty damn decent. I am sure the team is happy about both riders getting into the main event and it shows others that this bike is good as well.
