Industry Seating Podcast Summary
Episode: Ep 195: Anaheim 1
Host: Jason Thomas
Release Date: January 12, 2025
Duration Covered in Transcript: Approximately 50 minutes
1. Introduction and Race Weekend Overview
Jason Thomas kicks off the inaugural 2025 episode of Industry Seating, providing a comprehensive overview of the Anaheim 1 race weekend. He acknowledges the multifaceted challenges faced by industry professionals—teams, mechanics, riders—highlighting the chaos and constant changes inherent in race weekends.
Notable Quote:
“There's so much to take in. That's great. But for a lot of the industry, myself, teams, mechanics, riders, anybody that has a job to do there, it is a lot to manage, work through.”
— Jason Thomas [00:30]
2. Analysis of A1 Race Events
Jason delves into specific race events, starting with the absence of Levi Kitchen. He critically assesses rumors surrounding Kitchen's potential switch, attributing his no-show to illness rather than strategic maneuvers.
Levi Kitchen’s Absence:
- Jason’s Stance: Dismisses conspiracy theories about Kitchen avoiding competition with Hayden Deegan.
- Key Points: Attributes Kitchen’s absence to flu and lack of competitiveness due to illness.
Notable Quote:
“I don't think he's running away from Hayden Deegan or dodging him or anything of the sort. Just because you have to race Hayden Deegan. Going, going to the east coast is not a picnic.”
— Jason Thomas [05:45]
Hayden Deegan’s Performance:
- Highlights: Despite a crash in the first turn, Deegan remains a strong contender, showcasing his resilience and skill.
- Jason's Insight: Emphasizes Deegan’s consistency and the importance of not letting one bad race derail his championship hopes.
Notable Quote:
“He's still the best rider on this west coast championship and probably in either coast, he's probably still the best guy.”
— Jason Thomas [12:30]
Joe Shimoda’s Improvement:
- Performance: Shimoda’s podium finish is lauded as a significant step forward.
- Character Assessment: Praises Shimoda’s genuine nature and sportsmanship.
Notable Quote:
"He is genuinely nice, similar to Joe. He's easy to cheer for.”
— Jason Thomas [21:15]
Julian Bomer and Jordan Smith:
- Bomer’s Display: Commends Bomer’s strong performance, noting his speed and stamina.
- Smith’s Reliability: Highlights Smith’s consistency and lack of negativity, making him a dependable rider.
Notable Quote:
"If you're looking for somebody in the 250s to really support Jordan Smith, that could be that guy without any qualms or hesitation."
— Jason Thomas [35:50]
Cole Davies and Anthony Bourdon:
- Davies’ Rapid Advancement: Applauds Davies’ seamless transition to the 250 class, praising his speed and technique.
- Bourdon’s Quiet Excellence: Recognizes Bourdon’s consistent performance and potential for growth.
Notable Quote:
"I have nothing but praise to give this kid because I would have been one that said it's too early, he's not ready. They're rushing him into the pros when he should take another year and develop. That would have been my approach coming into A1 and I so far would have been very wrong in that."
— Jason Thomas [42:10]
3. Power Rankings Breakdown
Jason reintroduces the popular segment of power rankings, methodically ranking riders from Number 10 to Number 1 based on their Anaheim 1 performances and overall season potential.
Number 10: Justin Barcia
- Analysis: Barcia is in rebuild mode, aiming to regain his former prowess after a challenging 2024 season.
Number 9: Justin Cooper
- Analysis: Emphasizes Cooper’s strength in securing early leads but cautions against expecting dramatic shifts in his racing style.
Number 8: Aaron Plessinger
- Analysis: Highlights Plessinger’s need for better starts to capitalize in a highly competitive field.
Number 7: Jason Anderson
- Analysis: Despite mediocre past seasons, Anderson shows promise with his performance at Anaheim 1, particularly excelling in unpredictable race dynamics.
Number 6: Hunter Lawrence
- Analysis: Acknowledges Lawrence’s struggles in Anaheim but notes improvement from his previous season.
Number 5: Kenny Roczen
- Analysis: Praises Roczen’s strategic racing and ability to stay consistent, viewing his second-place finish as a strong start.
Number 4: Eli Tomac
- Analysis: Celebrates Tomac’s return to form, emphasizing his speed and readiness to compete for the championship.
Number 3: Cooper Webb
- Analysis: Commends Webb’s strategic consistency and racecraft, reinforcing his position as a championship contender.
Number 2: Chase Sexton
- Analysis: Applauds Sexton’s confident and structured performance, recognizing his readiness to fight for the championship.
Number 1: Jet Warren
- Analysis: Despite a disappointing race marked by crashes and mechanical issues, Jason places Jet at the top based on his overall potential and past performances.
Notable Quote for Power Rankings Introduction:
“I'm not going to overreact to A1. I know that's the name of Daniel Blair's podcast, Overreaction. I'm not going to overreact.”
— Jason Thomas [48:20]
Notable Quote for Number 2 - Chase Sexton:
"What you want is a calm, structured, well-executed A1, Chase Sexton gave you exactly that."
— Jason Thomas [54:05]
Notable Quote for Number 1 - Jet Warren:
"I think this is the worst race of his professional life. You tell me a race where he looked worse than that heat race."
— Jason Thomas [58:40]
4. Conclusion and Looking Ahead
Jason wraps up the episode by reiterating not to let the Anaheim 1 race overly influence perceptions of the season's trajectory. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a big-picture perspective as the season progresses.
Future Outlook:
- San Diego Preview: Anticipates adjustments and improvements for teams in the next round.
- Sponsor Acknowledgment: Thanks sponsors integral to the podcast’s production.
Notable Quote:
"Don't lose your mind. Don't at me, as the, the kids would say."
— Jason Thomas [1:02:10]
5. Key Takeaways
- Resilience of Top Riders: Despite setbacks, riders like Hayden Deegan and Eli Tomac show strong potential to bounce back.
- Emerging Talent: Cole Davies and Anthony Bourdon are highlighted as promising talents in the 250 class.
- Team Challenges: Jet Warren’s team faces significant technical hurdles that need urgent resolution for upcoming races.
- Strategic Insights: Importance of good starts and consistent performance emphasized across power rankings.
6. Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
“There's so much to take in. That's great. But for a lot of the industry... it is a lot to manage, work through.”
— Jason Thomas [00:30] -
“I don't think he's running away from Hayden Deegan or dodging him or anything of the sort.”
— Jason Thomas [05:45] -
“He's still the best rider on this west coast championship and probably in either coast, he's probably still the best guy.”
— Jason Thomas [12:30] -
"He is genuinely nice, similar to Joe. He's easy to cheer for.”
— Jason Thomas [21:15] -
“If you're looking for somebody in the 250s to really support Jordan Smith, that could be that guy without any qualms or hesitation."
— Jason Thomas [35:50] -
"I have nothing but praise to give this kid because I would have been one that said it's too early, he's not ready...”
— Jason Thomas [42:10] -
“I'm not going to overreact to A1. I know that's the name of Daniel Blair's podcast, Overreaction. I'm not going to overreact.”
— Jason Thomas [48:20] -
"What you want is a calm, structured, well-executed A1, Chase Sexton gave you exactly that."
— Jason Thomas [54:05] -
“I think this is the worst race of his professional life. You tell me a race where he looked worse than that heat race.”
— Jason Thomas [58:40] -
“Don't lose your mind. Don't at me, as the, the kids would say.”
— Jason Thomas [1:02:10]
7. Final Thoughts
Jason Thomas provides an insightful and balanced analysis of the Anaheim 1 race, offering both praise and constructive criticism of riders' performances. His emphasis on not overreacting to a single race outcome serves as valuable advice for listeners looking to understand the broader season dynamics.
Stay tuned for the next episode as Jason continues to break down the San Diego round, bringing back power rankings and more in-depth discussions on all things moto.