Industry Seating Podcast Summary: Ep 198 - Glendale SX

Host: Jason Thomas
Release Date: February 2, 2025
Podcast Description: Industry Seating offers an insider’s perspective on professional supercross and motocross racing, providing in-depth analysis and insights every Monday morning.

Overview of Glendale SX

In Episode 198, Jason Thomas delves into the fourth round of the 2025 Super Motocross season held in Glendale, marking the first Triple Crown of the year. He praises the challenging nature of the Glendale track, highlighting its demanding jumps and technical layout that tested riders' skills and patience. Jason notes, “These jumps are positioned in a way that riders can't just race each other and they can't just push the limit at all times. They really have to respect the racetrack” [08:45].

The track’s difficulty led to significant crashes and injuries, particularly in the Futures and 250 classes, emphasizing the track’s role in showcasing rider resilience and technical prowess.

250 Class Analysis

Jordan Smith and Triumph’s Breakthrough

Jordan Smith secured a pivotal win, marking Triumph’s arrival as a competitive force in the 250 class. Jason commends Smith’s performance, stating, “Jordan Smith, he got the job done. This was huge for Triumph. Yes, it's a big deal for Jordan, and yes, he put himself back into the championship fight with that win” [15:30].

Jason elaborates on Triumph's rapid ascent, noting, “Triumph has arrived. They are competitive with these other teams and other motorcycles. They've been working behind the scenes to get here, and it's impressive they are competitive this early” [17:10]. He contrasts Triumph’s swift progress with established OEMs like Honda and Yamaha, praising their ability to quickly become a real player in just 18 months.

Julian Bomer’s Missed Opportunities

Julian Bomer experienced a night of unfulfilled potential, failing to capitalize on advantageous positions. Jason critiques Bomer’s performance: “He got two hole shots in the first two races and crashed on his own both times. You simply cannot do that” [22:05].

Jason emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities for championship success, stating, “If he does not go on to win this championship, you might be able to look at Glendale and say, hey, it was really set up for you” [23:20]. He underscores the critical nature of capitalizing on favorable situations to maintain a points lead.

Hayden Deegan’s Struggles

Hayden Deegan showcased a subpar performance, failing to utilize his strengths effectively. Jason remarks, “He really didn't ride that well” [29:50], criticizing Deegan’s inability to back up his confident persona with consistent performance on the track. He highlights the discrepancy between Deegan’s proven prowess in Pro Motocross and his current struggles in Supercross, suggesting that Deegan needs to elevate his race execution to match his significant claims about his abilities.

Cole Davies’ Impressive Progress

Cole Davies emerged as a standout performer, demonstrating significant improvement and a more confident riding style. Jason praises Davies, saying, “He has a very distinguishable difference to me between last year and this year. That's not him. That is not the same rider” [36:40].

He observes Davies’ enhanced technique and personality, noting, “He is going to go far, especially in the 250 class. He has demonstrated that without the shadow of a doubt, this kid has it” [38:15]. Jason foresees Davies becoming one of the elite riders in the 250 class, given his consistent performance and evolving skills.

Other Notable Riders

• Justin Hill: Jason highlights Hill’s unpredictability, stating, “I think understanding or predicting when he's going to be good and when he's going to be average or bad... it's not possible” [44:30]. Despite his erratic performances, Hill remains a compelling rider to watch.

• Aaron Plessinger: With inconsistent results, Jason comments, “It's been an unmitigated disaster up until this point” [48:10]. Plessinger’s recent races showed slight improvement but remain below expectations.

• Malcolm Stewart & Justin Cooper: Both riders exhibited average performances, with Stewart focusing on recovering from past crashes and Cooper relying on his strong starts but struggling to maintain front positions.

• Justin Barcia & Hunter Horns: Barcia had a mixed night with a strong finish in the last race, while Horns showed steady improvement, demonstrating better bike management and competitive placements [55:00].

• Jason Anderson: Despite previous podiums, Anderson had a subdued performance, leaving Jason uncertain about underlying issues affecting his consistency [58:20].

• Cooper Webb: Webb delivered a commendable second-place overall finish, bolstering his championship prospects and demonstrating resilience amidst a challenging season [1:02:15].

• Ken Rockson: Rockson maintained a competitive stance with steady performances, though Jason raises concerns about his declining performance trends in the latter half of the season [1:05:30].

450 Class Analysis and Power Rankings

Jason transitions to the 450 class, presenting his power rankings and discussing the implications of recent performances and incidents.

Power Rankings Highlights

1. Eli Tomac (#1): Despite recent setbacks, Tomac remains at the top due to his exceptional speed and potential to secure the championship if he can consistently improve his starts. Jason asserts, “He has the most top end speed. Can he get the starts to be consistent enough to take the points lead and win this championship down the stretch?” [1:15:45].

2. Chase Sexton (#2): Sexton is a strong contender, backed by his championship titles. Jason acknowledges the debate around his ranking but maintains confidence in Tomac’s advantage [1:20:10].

3. Cooper Webb (#4 in 250, but possibly higher in 450 considerations): Webb’s recent performance strengthens his championship bid, as he leverages momentum and optimistically eyes the remaining races [1:02:15].

4. Jet Lawrence: A significant topic, Jet Lawrence’s injury has major ramifications on the championship landscape. Jason discusses the severity of Lawrence’s knee injury, expressing doubts about his immediate return: “When you immediately pull off the track and you put no thought into going back out... that is a very clear sign that something is very wrong” [1:10:50].

5. Other Riders (#10 to #3): Jason ranks other riders based on performance consistency, potential, and current standings, emphasizing the dynamic and competitive nature of the 450 class.

Jet Lawrence’s Injury Impact

Jet Lawrence’s injury has reshaped the championship dynamics. Jason explains, “If you're not racing, you're not in the power rankings” [1:08:30], highlighting the critical role Lawrence played. He expresses concern over Lawrence’s ability to return, citing personal experience with similar injuries: “I have suffered my own. I have...” [1:09:45]. Jason’s assessment leads him to remove Lawrence from the current power rankings, anticipating his absence will intensify the competition among remaining contenders.

Championship Implications

Jason projects the championship trajectory based on current performances and emerging trends. He emphasizes the importance of consistency and capitalizing on opportunities:

• Eli Tomac’s Potential: If Tomac can enhance his starts, he remains a championship favorite despite competition from Sexton and Webb.

• Cooper Webb’s Momentum: Webb’s surge, especially his recent podium, positions him as a strong contender, potentially narrowing the championship race.

• Triumph’s Influence in 250 Class: Triumph’s emergence with Jordan Smith injects fresh competition, potentially disrupting established standings and invigorating the 250 class dynamics.

Jason concludes by stressing the unpredictable nature of the season and the pivotal role of rider health and performance consistency in determining the eventual champion.

Conclusion

Episode 198 of Industry Seating provides a comprehensive analysis of the Glendale SX, highlighting key performances, emerging trends, and the significant impact of Jet Lawrence’s injury on the championship race. Jason Thomas offers insightful commentary on rider performances, team dynamics, and the evolving competitive landscape in both the 250 and 450 classes. The episode underscores the importance of technical skill, consistency, and strategic opportunity exploitation in shaping the season’s championship outcomes.

Notable Quotes:

• “These jumps are positioned in a way that riders can't just race each other and they can't just push the limit at all times.” [08:45]
• “Triumph has arrived. They are competitive with these other teams and other motorcycles.” [17:10]
• “He got two hole shots in the first two races and crashed on his own both times.” [22:05]
• “He has demonstrated that without the shadow of a doubt, this kid has it.” [38:15]
• “You cannot start last in these races and expect to be relevant on at the 20 minute mark.” [1:16:30]

This summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights presented by Jason Thomas in Episode 198, providing a thorough understanding for those who haven't listened to the podcast.