Industry Seating Podcast - Episode 196: San Diego SX Summary
Host: Jason Thomas
Release Date: January 21, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 196 of the Industry Seating podcast, host Jason Thomas provides an in-depth analysis of the San Diego Supercross event held at Snapdragon Stadium. This episode offers listeners a comprehensive overview of the race outcomes, rider performances, track conditions, and power rankings, while also previewing the upcoming Anaheim round.
San Diego Supercross Overview
Jason begins by reflecting on the venue's transition from Petco Park to Snapdragon Stadium:
"It's probably 500 yards from where Qualcomm was, maybe a thousand yards. It's not far." [02:30]
He highlights the nostalgic connection fans have with the San Diego area, emphasizing the modern amenities and more intimate setting of Snapdragon Stadium. Jason appreciates the improved safety and atmosphere, noting:
"It has the tailgate factor, you know, that's because we're not downtown. You're not dealing with all the homeless things." [05:15]
The track conditions in San Diego received positive remarks, with Jason comparing them favorably to Anaheim's dirt quality:
"There were other sections that were super tacky. And when you contrast that to, like, Anaheim, Anaheim's not very tacky at all, especially at night." [07:50]
Rider Performances and Insights
1. Juju Boomer's Breakthrough
Juju Boomer has made a significant impact early in the season, leading the 250 class:
"He is now two-one and take the points lead at the first two rounds? Absolutely not what I thought would happen." [09:45]
Jason commends Boomer's unexpected rise, stating:
"He has solidified himself as a legitimate 250 Supercross contender and likely outdoors as well." [10:15]
2. Jordan Smith's Consistency
Despite not having secured a race win yet, Jordan Smith remains a strong competitor:
"If you look at the results and you look at the way he's riding and you look at the points, he's sitting right there." [12:10]
Jason notes Smith's experience and maturity, suggesting a promising setup for the remainder of the season.
3. Hayden Deegan's Setback
Hayden Deegan displayed uncharacteristic subdued behavior despite securing a podium finish:
"He was pretty down on himself." [16:20]
Jason speculates on the potential reasons for Deegan's demeanor and anticipates adjustments in his approach for future races.
4. Joe Shimoda's Resilience
Joe Shimoda's determination amid injury is highlighted as a standout performance:
"He is quietly pushing himself through unbelievable pain... that kid has some heart in him." [18:45]
Jason praises Shimoda's mental and physical toughness, especially his ability to compete despite a significant hand injury.
5. Cole Davies' Potential
Cole Davies emerges as a promising young talent with impressive performances:
"This kid's legit. His speed, the confidence, the starts, his technical prowess." [20:10]
Jason anticipates Davies' rise in the Supercross hierarchy, projecting potential race wins in the near future.
6. Ty Masterpool's Specialization
Discussing Ty Masterpool, Jason addresses his focus on motocross over Supercross:
"They hired him for motocross. That's just what this is." [22:05]
He suggests Masterpool may pivot more towards motocross, leveraging his strengths where he excels the most.
450 Power Rankings
Jason presents his top 10 power rankings for the 450 class, providing detailed insights into each rider's performance:
-
Tomac
- Performance: Dominant races with impressive lap times.
- Commentary: "Tomac is back to form and we should put any other talk to bed." [27:30]
-
Jet
- Performance: Strong showings but edged out by Tomac out of respect.
- Commentary: "When you watch him ride, just can't believe the things he does." [26:50]
-
Chase Sexton
- Performance: Despite a rough start, remains a top contender.
- Commentary: "He is one point out of the points lead, so all those things are still true." [24:15]
-
Cooper Webb
- Performance: Overlooked yet highly consistent.
- Commentary: "He's been far too good through two rounds." [23:40]
-
Ken Roczen
- Performance: Strong finishes but strategic missteps against Webb.
- Commentary: "He was all over Cooper Webb and it looked like Cooper Webb was kind of done." [21:30]
-
Hunter Lawrence
- Performance: Overcame sickness to deliver solid performances.
- Commentary: "Kudos to him for finding a way to overcome not only the adversity but also just not being 100%." [19:50]
-
Jason Anderson
- Performance: Struggled due to health issues.
- Commentary: "His body just gave out. That was not at all what he had planned." [17:25]
-
Justin Barsha
- Performance: Consistent top-ten finishes without major highlights.
- Commentary: "If you're going to count him... it's been okay." [15:55]
-
Justin Cooper
- Performance: Steady but lacks headline-grabbing moments.
- Commentary: "Nothing outlandish. So, so." [14:40]
-
Ap
- Performance: Suffered a poor race due to injury.
- Commentary: "He's going to be an ice bath and you know, getting massages and all those things." [13:20]
Honorable Mentions
Jason gives a nod to riders who are still finding their footing in the competitive field:
-
Malcolm Stewart
Consistently battling within the top 10 amidst adversity. -
Jorge Prado
Despite crashes, remains on the radar for future potential.
Notable Quotes
-
On Juju Boomer's Success:
"Congratulations to him. I don't claim to always know who's going to make it and who's not there." [09:50] -
On Joe Shimoda's Injury:
"He deserves it. When you're toughing out an injury like that... you have some heart in him." [18:50] -
On Eli Tomac's Return:
"Tomac is back to form and we should put any other talk to bed." [27:30]
Conclusion
Episode 196 of Industry Seating offers a thorough and engaging analysis of the San Diego Supercross event. Jason Thomas effectively breaks down the performances, provides insightful rankings, and highlights emerging talents within the sport. His balanced commentary, enriched with personal observations and notable quotes, ensures that listeners gain a clear and comprehensive understanding of the current Supercross landscape.
Note: This summary excludes sponsor mentions and non-content sections as per the podcast's detailed content focus.