Industry Seating Podcast Summary: Ep 190 - Off Season Ramblings

Release Date: October 20, 2024
Host: Jason Thomas

Introduction

In Episode 190 of Industry Seating, host Jason Thomas ventures into the offseason dynamics of professional Supercross and Motocross racing. Departing from the usual studio setup, Jason engages in a "walk and talk" format, offering a more personal and reflective take on the current state and future prospects of top 450 riders.

Jet Lawrence: The Rising Star

Jason opens the discussion with Jet Lawrence, highlighting his meteoric rise in the Motocross world.

• Dominant Beginnings: Reflecting on Jet's first significant race in 2018 at Otaviano, Italy, Jason recalls, "Jet went out and he just dominated, absolutely dominated the MX250 class" ([05:45]).

• Steady Progression: Despite initial dominance, Jet's journey hasn't been without challenges. Jason notes, "It's been this non-stop steady progression, higher, just elevating himself" ([12:30]).

• Future Prospects: Jason emphasizes Jet's potential, stating, "The sky is truly the limit there. There are very few riders that... can stop him, right?" ([25:10]).

• Areas for Improvement: To maintain his trajectory, Jet needs to "stay motivated, don't get distracted, don't get complacent" ([30:05]).

Notable Quote:
"Jet Lawrence is the picture perfect example of everything's going his way." - Jason Thomas ([22:15])

Chase Sexton: Battling Expectations

Next, Jason delves into the performance and psychological pressures facing Chase Sexton.

• Championship Victory with asterisks: While Chase secured the Pro Motocross championship, Jason points out the "asterisks" due to Jet's absence for part of the series and injuries ([35:20]).

• Fitness and Endurance: Jason praises Chase's unparalleled fitness, asserting, "his threshold for fitness and the load that he can sustain" ([40:00]).

• Mental Struggles: Despite outward success, Chase grapples with internal pressures, leading Jason to speculate, "frustration and fear of not fulfilling the expectations" ([44:30]).

Notable Quote:
"Sometimes all that gets completely just kind of brushed to the side." - Jason Thomas ([42:50])

Eli Tomac: The Comeback Trail

Eli Tomac's battle post-injury is a focal point of the episode.

• Injury Setback: Jason recounts Eli's Achilles tear in Denver, marking a challenging period with limited success afterward ([50:15]).

• Road to Recovery: Emphasizing the difficulty of returning from injury, Jason notes, "getting back to your best self... a huge process" ([55:40]).

• Future Outlook: Optimistic about Eli's potential comeback, Jason states, "I think he's back there now... he's going to continue to get back to his best self" ([1:05:30]).

Notable Quote:
"It's a brutally tough task coming off of an injury." - Jason Thomas ([58:10])

Cooper Webb: The Relentless Competitor

Cooper Webb is portrayed as a mentally formidable contender in the racing circuit.

• Mental Strength: Jason likens Cooper to the "Iceman from Top Gun," highlighting his ability to remain "cool as a cucumber" under pressure ([1:15:00]).

• Race Strategy: Cooper's tactic involves exerting relentless pressure, forcing competitors into mistakes to secure victories ([1:20:45]).

• Team Dynamics: Discussing training, Jason emphasizes the importance of having a strong training partner like Justin Cooper to push Webb's limits ([1:25:30]).

Notable Quote:
"He will wear you down... that's what Cooper Webb does." - Jason Thomas ([1:18:20])

Aaron Plessinger: Steady Progress

Aaron Plessinger's journey is characterized by consistent improvement without the spotlight typically expected of championship contenders.

• Achievements: Jason highlights Aaron's Supercross win in 2024 as a significant milestone ([1:35:10]).

• Future Goals: Setting realistic targets, Aaron aims to win additional races and secure top-three finishes in the championship standings ([1:38:50]).

Notable Quote:
"For AP, going out... have a ton of money in his toolbox." - Jason Thomas ([1:36:00])

Jason Anderson: Balancing Personal Life and Performance

The episode shifts focus to Jason Anderson, examining how personal milestones have influenced his racing performance.

• Personal Milestones: Jason mentions Anderson's marriage and fatherhood as possible factors affecting his racing focus ([1:45:20]).

• Performance Fluctuations: Despite past successes, Anderson faces challenges in maintaining peak performance, potentially due to personal life adjustments ([1:49:55]).

• Team Changes: Introduction of Jorge Prado is anticipated to reignite the team's competitive edge, potentially motivating Anderson ([1:54:30]).

Notable Quote:
"Maybe him being so amped on Prado pisses him off in a way that's like... I'm gonna remind them why I'm highly paid." - Jason Thomas ([1:52:15])

Ken Roczen: The Veteran's Journey

Ken Roczen is discussed as a seasoned rider facing the natural decline associated with age and injuries.

• Health Challenges: Jason addresses Ken's ongoing battles with surgeries and their impact on his performance ([2:00:10]).

• Future with Ducati: Speculation arises about Ken potentially transitioning to Ducati, leveraging his experience to aid in motorcycle development ([2:05:45]).

Notable Quote:
"He's very hard to put down... he's going to help Ducati avoid a lot of the pitfalls." - Jason Thomas ([2:03:30])

Hunter Lawrence: Surpassing Expectations

Hunter Lawrence's unexpected rise is celebrated, acknowledging his ability to compete with the elite 450 class riders.

• Performance Leap: Jason admits underestimating Hunter's potential, now recognizing his capability to challenge top-tier competitors like Jet and Chase ([2:10:20]).

• Financial Security: With substantial earnings, Hunter enjoys financial stability, allowing him to focus solely on racing without external pressures ([2:15:00]).

Notable Quote:
"Hunter deserves it. So congratulations, Hunter." - Jason Thomas ([2:12:50])

Justin Barcia: Maintaining Legacy

Justin Barcia is portrayed as a veteran nearing the end of his racing career, focusing on financial stability and selective racing opportunities.

• Career Outlook: Jason anticipates Justin racing a few more seasons before transitioning to other racing formats or mentorship roles ([2:25:30]).

• Performance Goals: Emphasizing realistic objectives, Justin aims to secure podium finishes and race wins without the intense pressure of championships ([2:28:45]).

Notable Quote:
"Finding that elite level speed... that's what's been missing from Barcia for a little bit." - Jason Thomas ([2:27:10])

Malcolm Stewart and Christian Craig: Team Dynamics

The discussion briefly touches upon Malcolm Stewart and Christian Craig, highlighting their team changes and performance implications.

• Malcolm Stewart: Facing challenges with his current motorcycle setup, Jason expresses concern over Stewart's ability to remain competitive ([2:35:50]).

• Christian Craig: Transitioning back to Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, Craig is expected to thrive with a more suitable motorcycle, potentially impacting Stewart's performance negatively ([2:40:20]).

Notable Quote:
"It's going to be interesting to run a social experiment to compare those two." - Jason Thomas ([2:38:00])

Final Thoughts

Jason wraps up the episode by reflecting on the offseason's significance for rider development and preparation for the upcoming racing seasons. He underscores the importance of maintaining motivation, addressing weaknesses, and leveraging strengths to succeed in a highly competitive environment.

Closing Remarks:
"Thank you everybody for listening. I hope you enjoyed it... it's a little bit different environment and, yeah, not so structured." - Jason Thomas ([2:55:10])

Sponsors

A special acknowledgment is given to the podcast sponsors:

• Pirelli Tires
• Guts Racing
• Plum Creek Funding
• Pro Glo Wash
• Works Connection
• Bass Foundry
• TL Speed Shop
• Concept Coatings Design Company
• Grandstone Boots
• Fly Racing

Jason expresses gratitude for their continued support, hinting at more information about some sponsors in future episodes.

End of Summary