Daytime Program: A2

A2 had some deeper conditions and it was really unlike any other Anaheim that we have had in recent years. Tilled up start straight and softer corners had some of the teams/riders struggling to find their set up. Most of the teams were lengthening their bike set ups and some were even going softer with their suspension setting near the end of the night. Here are some things to take away from A2. 

Chase Sexton: Finally! Was anyone else just shaking their head when he washed the front end out in the sand in the heat race? I literally just didn’t know what to say because how many times do we see this from Chase? I sat and told someone next to me that I wouldn’t be surprised if he won the main event but also wouldn’t be surprised if he was winning the main event and washed out with 5 minutes to go. You just never know! As a person that really likes Chase, it is tough at times to be a fan. As much as we all want him to get that first win with Kawasaki imagine what he (as well as the team) were going through after the heat race. Maybe everyone is all positive on the outside but you know inside everyone is like “WTF, is going on”! Well… HE DID IT! Holy hell! He got a good start, kept his cool and rode at 90% to get his first win of the year and Kawasaki’s first win since 2022! Luke at Pro Circuit (suspension tech) is also one of the unsung heroes of the number 4’s win as he is one of the guys that has put the pieces to the puzzle together for Sexton’s suspension spec. Luke and Kaipo (Kawasaki’s suspension tech) have been working in unison to get Chase happy with what he needs from the Team Green machine. So we can’t say that Kawasaki is too rigid to bend and change things for their riders, cause they have been doing it for Chase as well as Prado when he was having trouble. Congrats to Sexton and all of the Kawasaki team. 

Eli Tomac: Jade Dungey and I broke down the Factory KTM Red Bull of Eli Tomac and I found out that Eli hasn’t changed “that much” on his factory bike since the WSX rounds. Eli seemed to struggle a little with the softer conditions that A2 brought but getting on the podium when you struggle is a good thing. This is a new Eli and with the team he has behind him as well as a bike, that I think, is a much better fit for him will be hard top beat for this championship. 

Jason Anderson: JA21 has a style that is so damn cool. It looks like he’s barely riding. JA21 was just fast enough to cause problems for Hunter and Eli and that allowed Chase to creep out a couple seconds. One thing to look at when you’re watching 21 is how good he is at finding the traction in corners that are blown out. Yes, he got pushed out in that right hander from Chase but if you watch him through any of the corners, he is good at staying just below any blown out areas of turns. I also got a inside look at his Suzuki before the race and his mechanic Jelly told me that JA is not that picky with his set up and that he has been riding the same set up for a while. JA21 also will get stronger I think as the series goes on as he had somewhat of a late start to his training/riding prep for an illness that looks to be headed in the right direction. 

Cooper Webb: A very frustrated Cooper Webb was seen after the main event but (to me) his riding was really good at A2. He closed the gap to Lawrence, Tomac and Anderson but made a uncharacteristic mistake that put him back to fifth. I also thought it was interesting that he said in an interview (after the race) that his championship hopes were over. I would NOT be so sure, Coop. The way this series can turn upside down and with Webb gaining some momentum, he could claw his way back into this thing. 

RJ Hampshire: An underrated day for RJ, I think. He was fast in qualifying and rode really well compared to what the results say. RJ has updated some parts to his machine and found a setting that gave him some added comfort and it looks to be fitting his aggressive riding style. When you have a stiff suspension set up that is rigid sometimes finding some forgiveness within the chassis is tough but the Factory Rockstar Husqvarna team is figuring it out. 

Michael Mosiman: Deegs told everyone in the post race interview that Mosiman is one of the only ones that is putting in that extra curricular work at the test track, which I thought was interesting. I think Mosiman has always had the talent to win a championship but injuries have derailed some of that. A smooth riding style and a more mature Mosiman in 2026 is shaping up to be the next guy up for the Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha squad. Hey, did you hear that Michael can play the piano? 

Vohland: Maximus was sick leading up to A2 so he didn’t have that extra in reserve for the end of the main event but he is capable of a podium and I think we see one by the end of the west series. Having Reedy help you with SX prep is going to make this kid a weapon come 2027 (if he stays with the Club MX Yamaha team). 

Varize: Josh Varize was that kid at Milestone MX Park back in the day that would work anyone that was on the track. His mom worked at the parts store that was at the track and together they just grinded it out. Varize was called to the Grindstone Kawasaki team late because Max Sanford got injured. Josh has smooth style and is very precise which fits SX well. Two top tens this year for this small Kawasaki team is a great start!