Industry Seating Podcast Episode 187: Charlotte SMX Preview – Detailed Summary
Release Date: September 5, 2024
Host: Jason Thomas
Introduction to the Charlotte SMX World Championship Playoffs
In Episode 187 of the Industry Seating podcast, host Jason Thomas sets the stage for the upcoming SMX World Championship playoffs taking place at Z Max Dragway in Charlotte, North Carolina. Despite initial mentions of Concord, the event is firmly rooted in Charlotte, as reflected humorously by Thomas noting, “[00:30] Jason Thomas: 'I know we're supposed to say Concord, North Carolina or Concord, but I mean, it's Charlotte. Like my hotel literally says Charlotte.'”
250 Class Analysis
Hayden Deegan: The Favorite
Hayden Deegan emerges as the favorite in the 250 class, with Jason emphasizing his exceptional performance over the past year. “[03:15] Jason Thomas: 'Deegan has to be the favorite, right? Like, I don't see really a way around that. He won the Pro Motocross championship this year. He got second in 250E Supercross.'” Despite some personal disagreements with Deegan's off-track behavior, Thomas acknowledges his undeniable talent and success: “[05:40] Jason Thomas: 'You can't really disparage the riding. He has been phenomenally good.'”
Levi Kitchen: Assessing Momentum
Levi Kitchen enters the conversation with momentum from previous races. However, a crash in the second Moto has raised questions about his consistency. Thomas points out, “[10:25] Jason Thomas: 'He crashed and hurt his knee, which I think is okay. The question really is, does he still have that momentum?'” Kitchen's potential to dominate the championship is weighed against recent setbacks.
Tom Vial: Battling the Heat
Tom Vial is another key contender, having secured his first overall win of the season in the last round. Thomas discusses Vial's struggle with the intense Charlotte heat: “[12:50] Jason Thomas: 'He was cooked by heat. Like, he was too hot, couldn't push anymore.'” The impact of the weather on Vial's performance is anticipated to play a significant role in the upcoming races.
RJ Hampshire and Joe Shimoto: Rising Stars and Uncertainties
RJ Hampshire is highlighted as a potential surprise with a strong start, “[16:10] Jason Thomas: 'If he gets the starts that he needs over the next three weeks, anything is possible.'” Conversely, Joe Shimoto's participation remains uncertain due to a recent collarbone injury: “[18:45] Jason Thomas: 'He broke his collarbone at Unadilla and it's not been very long. We're talking what, three and a half weeks.'”
450 Class Overview
Chase Sexton: A Must-Win Situation
Chase Sexton is portrayed as a pivotal figure in the 450 class. Thomas insists, “[22:30] Jason Thomas: 'This is a must-win for Chase Sexton. It truly is.'” Sexton's ability to capitalize on his momentum and dominate the field is emphasized as crucial for his championship aspirations.
Jet Tomac: Recovery and Expectations
Jet Tomac's return from hand surgery is met with skepticism regarding his readiness. “[25:20] Jason Thomas: 'He's only ridden for three weeks after an injury like this, where you actually had to have surgery, is not good.'” Thomas predicts that Tomac may not perform at his peak, potentially finishing lower than expected.
Cooper Webb and Justin Cooper: Wild Cards and Consistent Performers
Cooper Webb is identified as a wildcard due to his inconsistent preparation and injuries: “[28:10] Jason Thomas: 'He thrives when everybody counts him out, right? Like, he loves to be considered the underdog.'” On the other hand, Justin Cooper is praised for his reliability and strong starts: “[30:05] Jason Thomas: 'His lap times are always really fast, like surprisingly fast. And he's just kind of always hanging around top three, top five.'”
Eli Tomac and Jason Anderson: Legends and Potential
Eli Tomac's performance improvement is noted, though questions remain about his ability to return to his "vintage" form: “[32:40] Jason Thomas: 'He's going to be better than he was, right? Look at the improvement from Buds Creek to Iron Man.'” Jason Anderson is discussed with a focus on his potential to rediscover his winning form: “[34:15] Jason Thomas: 'He's capable. He has the potential to do that. That's the difference, right? Not everybody can be as good as Jason Anderson.'”
Motocross Nations Team Selection
Eli Tomac and Hayden Deegan: Decision Dynamics
A significant portion of the podcast delves into the controversy surrounding Eli Tomac and Hayden Deegan's absence from the Motocross Nations team. Thomas expresses his belief that Tomac opted out due to his performance relative to AP: “[38:50] Jason Thomas: 'Eli Tomac decided he didn't want to go. I really feel strongly that that would have happened.'” Similarly, Deegan's decision to sit out is attributed to his reliance on Tomac's participation: “[41:20] Jason Thomas: 'I don't believe that is the whole truth. That's my opinion. That's what I believe.'”
Team USA’s Line-Up and Challenges
Thomas outlines the selected Team USA members—Chase Sexton, AP (Adrián Chuginski—assuming), and Jaime—while critiquing the overall team composition: “[45:30] Jason Thomas: 'This is Team USA and you're expected to win. We're the winningest country that's ever attended this race.'” He discusses strategic challenges, including potential poor starts and the impact of weather conditions, stressing the importance of a strong team performance.
Strategic Insights and Predictions
The Importance of Starts
A recurring theme is the critical nature of race starts. Thomas emphasizes that strong starts can make or break a race: “[50:00] Jason Thomas: 'The starts are going to be everything, especially with this first round.'” He advises that riders must capitalize on their starting positions to navigate the challenging track layout effectively.
Weather Conditions and Track Familiarity
Thomas anticipates that weather could play a decisive role, recalling previous races where rain significantly affected outcomes: “[55:45] Jason Thomas: 'And it's going to be hot this weekend, too. And it's a day race, so do we see any of that?'” The Charlotte track's familiarity to certain riders versus the Team USA members is also discussed as a potential advantage or hindrance.
Conclusion
Jason Thomas wraps up the episode by reiterating the high stakes of the Charlotte SMX World Championship playoffs and the intricate dynamics of both the Supercross and Motocross Nations competitions. He underscores the necessity for Team USA to perform cohesively and leverage their strengths under pressure: “[60:00] Jason Thomas: 'We shall see. It should be a fun one.'” Thomas concludes with optimism for the upcoming races, promising further coverage and analysis in future episodes.
Notable Quotes:
- “[05:40] Jason Thomas: 'You can't really disparage the riding. He has been phenomenally good.'”
- “[10:25] Jason Thomas: 'He crashed and hurt his knee, which I think is okay. The question really is, does he still have that momentum?'”
- “[22:30] Jason Thomas: 'This is a must-win for Chase Sexton. It truly is.'”
- “[38:50] Jason Thomas: 'Eli Tomac decided he didn't want to go. I really feel strongly that that would have happened.'”
This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from Episode 187 of the Industry Seating podcast, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the Charlotte SMX Preview.