Industry Seating Podcast Summary
Episode: Ep 208: Thunder Valley MX
Host: Jason Thomas
Release Date: June 9, 2025
1. Introduction and Event Context
In Episode 208 of Industry Seating, host Jason Thomas delves into the Thunder Valley National event held in Lakewood, Colorado. This event marked Round Three of the Pro Motocross Championship and Round 21 of the Super Motocross World Championship (SMX). Thomas emphasizes his familiarity with both series as the SMX playoffs approach in September, reflecting on his initial skepticism about the playoff system and its evolution over time.
"When I think about those playoffs because I can remember being at the press conference for the SMX World Championship kickoff... it wasn’t like I showed up, I watched this press conference, I drank the Kool-Aid and I was all in."
— Jason Thomas [05:10]
2. Evolution and Impact of SMX Playoffs
Thomas recounts his early days attending SMX events, highlighting his initial uncertainties about the playoff format. Over time, the system has gained acceptance among riders, teams, and media, fostering more competitive and thrilling races.
"Now it's summer of 2025. I feel like it's all worked. And it is working... even the most skeptical among us have kind of been like, nah, man, it's been pretty good."
— Jason Thomas [09:45]
He credits the playoff structure for maintaining rider interest throughout the season, ensuring that every round remains crucial. Thomas specifically mentions Cooper Webb, suggesting that the playoff system may have influenced Webb's decision to remain in the Pro Motocross class.
"I feel very, very confident in the fact that he would not race all 12 round or 11 rounds of pro motocross if it weren't for SMX, the playoff system in place."
— Jason Thomas [12:20]
3. Weather and Track Conditions at Thunder Valley
The Thunder Valley event experienced a mix of weather conditions leading up to the races. Thomas details the challenges posed by persistent rain, which affected track preparation and accessibility:
-
Thursday: Intermittent rain and sunshine typical of Colorado's spring-summer weather.
-
Friday: Heavy rain leading to difficulties with rental cars becoming stuck in muddy conditions. Thomas shares personal anecdotes about navigating these challenges.
"They're two-wheel drive. And if any type of mud at all, you're screwed."
— Jason Thomas [18:30] -
Saturday: Sunshine prevailed, creating ideal racing conditions. However, the track's preparation was compromised due to prior wet sealing, resulting in a super soft and muddy surface.
"It's wet dirt under wet dirt on top of wet dirt."
— Jason Thomas [25:15]
Thomas compares the Thunder Valley track to previous years, noting its demanding nature that requires riders to exercise caution and strategic riding.
"It's a track that demanded respect and not all tracks do."
— Jason Thomas [28:50]
4. Race Recaps and Standings
250 Class Highlights
Thomas highlights the exceptional performance of Chance Jaime, who dominated both motos by securing the fastest qualifiers and winning both races.
"Chance Jaime was perfect. Literally, fastest qualifier, both motos win both motos."
— Jason Thomas [35:05]
In contrast, Deegan showcased resilience by maintaining a substantial points lead despite Jaime's dominance, reinforcing his status as a frontrunner for the championship.
"Deegan is too resilient for any of that talk. He has a huge points lead. He's fine."
— Jason Thomas [40:45]
Chase Sexton faced setbacks with significant crashes in both the previous year and the current season, affecting his standing and participation.
"These playoffs haven't been very kind to Chase."
— Jason Thomas [43:30]
5. Power Rankings
Thomas provides an in-depth analysis of the current power rankings, reflecting the shifting dynamics within the championship:
-
Jet Lawrence
- Standing: Dominant performer, consistently outperforming rivals.
- Quote: "Jett Lawrence is the best racer on the planet, bar none."
— Jason Thomas [70:10]
-
Eli Tomac
- Standing: Maintaining a strong position but trailing behind Jet.
- Quote: "Eli's killing it. Like I love to see this version of Eli."
— Jason Thomas [65:20]
-
Cooper Webb
- Standing: Currently strong but may drop as competitors gain momentum.
-
Aaron Plessinger (AP)
- Standing: Surprising consistency and speed warranting higher placement.
- Quote: "I'm so impressed with AP. He's a former 250 champ and a formidable competitor."
— Jason Thomas [58:45]
-
Justin Cooper
- Standing: Continues to outperform expectations, potential top contender.
- Quote: "Justin Cooper deserves to be on a factory bike now. He's too good not to."
— Jason Thomas [60:30]
-
Hunter
- Standing: Solid performance but marred by tactical errors.
- Quote: "Hunter should have been third in the first moto crashes... but he's still riding well."
— Jason Thomas [55:50]
-
Malcolm
- Standing: Benefits from strong supercross performances, currently ahead of RJ.
-
RJ
- Standing: Consistently solid but trails behind Malcolm.
-
Jason Anderson
- Standing: Recent setbacks could affect future standings.
-
Joey Sachi
- Standing: Maintains a steady presence without significant fluctuations.
Thomas also discusses the volatile nature of the rankings, especially with riders like AP Plessinger and Justin Cooper potentially challenging top positions as the season progresses.
6. Specific Rider Performances and Insights
Hunter and Justin Cooper
Hunter suffered a critical crash that impacted his standing, yet maintains strong performance metrics in other areas. Conversely, Justin Cooper has shown remarkable improvement and consistency, positioning himself as a serious contender for the championship.
"Justin Cooper deserves to be like, yeah, he's a factory guy. Look how good he's doing supercross and motocross."
— Jason Thomas [62:00]
Aaron Plessinger (AP)
AP Plessinger's performances have exceeded expectations, consistently challenging top riders and earning commendation for his dedication and skill.
"It's impossible to not like AP... he's crossing with all the top guys."
— Jason Thomas [67:30]
Cooper Webb and Eli Tomac
Cooper Webb, despite being a Supercross champion, may experience a decline if challenges persist. Eli Tomac remains a formidable competitor, though facing stiff competition from peers like Jet Lawrence.
"If you look at the points and you look at the trajectory and do the math, it's coming up..."
— Jason Thomas [72:15]
7. Technical Issues and Team Dynamics
Thomas addresses technical challenges faced by certain riders, specifically Jorge Prado of the Kawasaki team. He criticizes the lack of visible effort to resolve bike issues, attributing Prado's underperformance to potential mechanical deficiencies rather than rider skill.
"I think the Kawasaki bike is not up to par. The bike doesn't look as good as those Yamaha and Honda bikes."
— Jason Thomas [50:25]
He acknowledges the expertise within the Kawasaki team but suggests that even the most skilled engineers can encounter setbacks.
8. Upcoming Events Preview
Looking ahead, Thomas previews the High Point event in Morgantown, West Virginia, anticipating another pivotal round in the championship. He speculates on potential weather challenges and the impact on race outcomes.
"High Point is up next... It's going to a big round for the series."
— Jason Thomas [78:40]
9. Host Reflections and Community Engagement
Towards the episode's conclusion, Thomas expresses gratitude to sponsors and listeners, reflecting on his passion for motocross and the support he receives from the community. He maintains a professional stance amidst online criticism regarding his praise for Jet Lawrence, emphasizing respect and sportsmanship.
"Thank you to everybody. I'm living my dream here... Thanks, everybody."
— Jason Thomas [85:00]
Notable Quotes:
-
"You don't step out of line, you were in a world of hurt."
— Jason Thomas [28:50] -
"Jett Lawrence is the best racer on the planet, bar none."
— Jason Thomas [70:10] -
"Eli's killing it. Like I love to see this version of Eli."
— Jason Thomas [65:20] -
"100 grand is a lot, especially for a guy like Justin Cooper."
— Jason Thomas [74:55]
Conclusion
In this comprehensive episode, Jason Thomas provides an insightful analysis of the Thunder Valley MX event, delving into rider performances, technical challenges, and the evolving dynamics of the Super Motocross playoffs. His expert commentary offers listeners a nuanced understanding of the sport's competitive landscape, setting the stage for the upcoming High Point event and the continued pursuit of motocross excellence.