That’ a wrap! Holy crap, that went by so fast! Seems like it was just yesterday we were at A1. In the end though it was Jett Lawrence with the 450 championship (which most expected), a surprising Frenchman with the 250 east and a hard working journeyman racer in the 250 west. Let’s take a look back at SLC and some thoughts leading into the outdoor series.
Jett Lawrence: I mean this isn’t a bug surprise right? However, it was closer than I honestly thought it was going to be. As much as some of you don’t want to see Jett win, I think we need to take in what we are witnessing. I was around for the McGrath domination and I was over seeing him win, but as I look back at it now, I am glad I got to witness a dominating rider that changed our sport. Jett, whether we like it or not, is changing everyone around him. Riders are changing they way they ride because of the efficiency of this kid. After listening to Dazzy (Jett’s father) on the Pulp Show Monday night, I am more of a fan than I was before. Congrats to Team Honda as well for getting another SX Championship after a big dry spell! For a bike that is not the best in production form, the Honda is simply amazing under the factory tent.
Chase Sexton: Attention weekend warriors. KYB fixes all your problems on your KTM apparently! I am kidding, but am I? Sexton and Barcia are much better since they made the switch! Chase looks like he’s back to his old form but seems to me has more corner control than ever before. Chase was simply on rails all day/night Saturday and I think this will eventually lead to outdoors but I don’t think it will come very early. This new FE frame will be better in outdoors than it was in SX, so maybe we see Chase closer to Jett this summer.
Justin Cooper: People forget how fast Justin is and having this guy complete his first SX season shows that he will be a factor come this summer as well! Remember how good Cooper is at outdoors. DON’T FORGET! Also, remember how good he is at qualifying? I didn’t. With Webb and Tomac out there will be more attention on Justin under the Star Yamaha tent so look for Cooper to get some added help/parts that normally he may have not got.
Mitchell Oldenburg: A ninth place for Mitch is a great result for him as well as the Smartop Honda team! Mitch decided to go only the 450 route in 2024 and it looks like it fits him. With a stacked field all year (until the last couple rounds) Mitchell hung in there and made mains consistently. Looks like he will be back with the team again in 2025 but in what capacity? We know that the Smartop team doesn’t do ALL the rounds so we will see what happens.
Hunter Lawrence: Can you blame Hunter for doing what he did to JA? I mean, I get it! I felt like that move by JA was a little premature and Hunter (from the looks of it) thought so as well. I have seen the comments of people saying that Hunter is being a baby and such but to me, he is letting JA know that he can’t be pushed around. You play, I play, is the way I look at it. Can’t be a punching bag for someone. Sometimes you will have to put them on notice that I am not just going to take a beating without some fight back. To me, I think the retaliation is fine. That’s just me. No hate comms.
Haiden Deegan: Deegs wasn’t the fastest guy in SLC, but he made it work by being in other racers heads. Jordan knew it was going to be a problem trying to get around Deegs so he was going for the move as he was faster in the whoops. That being said, I think Jordan wanted to make sure the pass was complete without getting anything in return from Deegs so he rushed his pass. He wasn’t close enough to make that move stick. I think that was on Jordan and not Deegs. With the championships coming down to the last race that has to be the quietest win we have ever had from Deegs. The kid is ramping up and outdoors should be another good one between him and Vialle.
RJ Hampshire: FINALLY! RJ proved a lot of people wrong by staying on the bike and being in it until the end. Sure, he had help with Levi’s crash, but that is part of the sport. RJ has been on the other side of that more than once so to see him get the 1w is awesome. What is weird is we are going to see him back on a 250 come SX again? Damn. Oh, RJ will also be dangerous outdoors as well! He will be one of three riders that can win the championship!
Tom Vialle: Tom didn’t have the greatest night but he managed to get himself into a good position early and stay out of trouble. Tom’s SX skills have improved a lot and I think being around Marvin has really helped him pick his way around the SX track. You can see a lot of Marv lately in Tom, now it’s time to see what year two can bring in outdoors for him! He has to be one of the favorites to win the title.
Levi Kitchen: SLC wasn’t the time to not get a holeshot and I think that prevented Levi from not getting the title. RJ wasn’t going to be denied on Saturday night so in order to even sniff that championship, Levi needed to start IN FRONT of RJ and that simply didn’t happen. You ever think about what they do with that 1w jersey with KITCHEN on it after nights like Saturday? Where do they live? Do they get thrown out? I actually have a SHIMODA jersey with a number 1 on it when he was in the championship hunt. I kept it. I don’t know why, but it’s here.
