Industry Seating Ep 224: Anaheim 2 — January 30, 2026

Host: Jason Thomas
Theme: In-depth analysis and commentary on the Anaheim 2 Supercross round, with a look ahead to Houston. Detailed discussion of rider performances, shifting class dynamics, and Jason’s updated power rankings for the 450 class.

Episode Overview

Jason Thomas delivers a thoughtful, behind-the-scenes analysis of the previous weekend’s Anaheim 2 Supercross, balancing his trademark bluntness with empathy. He breaks down standout performances in the 250 and 450 classes, putting particular focus on emerging stories, rookie challenges, and the tension between hype and achievement. He also gives fans an updated view of his 450-class power rankings, explaining the logic and nuance behind his choices.

250 Class Recap & Insights

[02:05–24:10]

Hayden Deegan’s Rising Dominance

• Jason doubles down on his preseason call for Hayden Deegan to prove his superiority over the current 250 field.
• Quote:
  “For me to think that he's ready to go win in the 450 class or be like a championship contender in year one or two, I need to see him be able to handle whatever these other guys throw at him and go about his business. And I'm seeing that. ...He's doing the thing right: good start, bad start, whoops aren't a liability.” — Jason [03:33]
• Notes frustration with extremes of Deegan fandom, saying you can’t hype him as “the second coming” but then call pressure unfair—success brings scrutiny and high expectations.
• Adds nuanced personal view: admires Deegan’s professionalism and growth but isn’t always fond of his public persona or the perceived use of faith as “a shield” when dealing with criticism.
  • Quote:
    “I don't like that because I feel like it's manufactured and super artificial. ...If that's how he has to go about it, sure. I just don't feel like it's authentic.” — Jason [06:34]

Michael Mosman: A Feel-Good Story

• Credits Michael Mosman for riding well after enduring “all the adversity in the world” (injuries, team drama).
• Quote:
  “For him to find some success here, it's really hard, I think, for anybody to not be happy for him. ...He says the right thing. Like, is he a little bit of a goofball? Absolutely.” — Jason [08:43]
• Jason openly roots for Mosman’s continued success, admiring his resilience and good character.

Ryder DiFrancesco’s Steady Maturation

• Notes the significance of two podiums in three races for Ryder D after a rocky road to pro expectations.
• Recaps emotional moment from Ryder D in Charlotte after his first SuperMotocross podium.
• Praises his growth: “Physically, mentally, emotionally, you can see the maturation process happening in real time and that's showing up on the racetrack too.” [12:33]
• Ryder D's patience and confidence are paying off.

Cameron McAdoo: Close but Just Off the Box

• McAdoo narrowly missed the podium, losing out to Ryder D by a matter of seconds.
• Acknowledges how “pass/fail” it feels to miss the podium, but urges perspective:
  “Just stay the course, man. Keep getting good starts, keep putting yourself in good position, and good things will happen to you.” — Jason [15:33]

Chance Hymas’ Injury Concerns

• Hymas’ crash seemed minor but resulted in a significant injury; he’s having surgery but is expected to return by Pro Motocross.
• Jason underscores how important this summer will be for Hymas' future with Honda:
  “There is a sure way to get re-hired and then there's you leaving it up to Chance. For lack of a better word.” [18:37]

Levi Kitchen: Luck Needs to Turn

• Kitchen’s spectacular crash at A2 didn’t result in injury, but Jason sympathizes with his string of misfortune.
• Quote:
  “You just start to wonder, what if something went right for once?...eventually something is going to happen that goes your way. And I feel like we're approaching that.” — Jason [21:12]

Sponsor Shout-Outs & Promo Codes

[24:11–30:50] (Summarized, not detailed as per guidelines)

Jason gives quick reads for Guts Racing, Works Connection, race-rentals.com, Unmatched Supplements, Grantstone Boots, Firepower Parts, and Fly Racing, sharing personal anecdotes and occasional promo codes.

450 Class: Power Rankings and Analysis

[30:51–59:38]

The Challenge of Rankings This Year

• The 450 class has been especially volatile with results and standout performances shifting each week.
• Jason is honest about the difficulty and subjectivity here:
  “If you disagree, cool. Me too. I don't have a lot of conviction, but these are where I landed.” [31:15]

Honorable Mentions

• Malcolm Stewart:
  “He’s right on the cusp…I’m just waiting for him to kind of come back to where I think he can be. Just get back to your healthiest self and get the results back going the right way and you’re in.” [32:17]
• Dylan Ferrandis:
  Steady, competitive, but still missing a breakout main event ride.
• Joey Savatgy:
  “His results in 2026 have been nothing short of awesome.” [33:32] Ranked 10th, largely behind RJ Hampshire due to RJ’s proven podium record.

Jason’s Top 10 Power Rankings (with Commentary)

(Timestamps given by segment; select notable quotes attributed)

• 10. Joey Savatgy
  On a streak with solid results, just behind RJ Hampshire due to overall body of work.
• 9. RJ Hampshire
  “Watch for him to continue to get better. As long as he stays upright and…doesn't have a huge setback, he's going to get better. It's just what he does.” [34:34]
• 8. Jorge Prado
  Praises Prado’s stunning adaptation but notes his start-dependent racing style; lacks "hard charger" ability when starting deep.
  • Quote:
    “You develop strengths and weaknesses based off a lifetime of circumstance. ...That is not something that Jorge Prado ever had to develop.” — Jason [36:34]
• 7. Jason Anderson
  Admits he underestimated Anderson, expecting him to “drift into no man’s land” but he’s been revitalized.
  • Quote:
    “On a skill level, Webb and those guys are not better than him.” — Jason [39:22]
• 6. Justin Cooper
  Running steadily, improvement expected as the East Coast tracks favor his strengths. “6 feels good to me.”
• 5. Ken Roczen
  Despite a bad A2, Jason hovers him at 5 based on body of work and performance blend.
• 4. Cooper Webb
  “I just don't know that it's going to continue to be the case. ...If I'm looking at...I don't really know where to put Roczen or Webb ...I'm going to put Webb ahead because of the years of winning and when they had gone head to head for championships, Webb has always bested him.” [44:28]
• 3. Hunter Lawrence
  Ranks Hunter above Webb for consistently better 2025 motocross & playoff results, but acknowledges Webb could leapfrog with a big ride.
• 2. Chase Sexton
  “I feel like is the fastest guy in the class. He just can't stay off the ground. If he doesn't crash, he wins.” [50:45] The only rider with raw speed to potentially beat himself.
• 1. Eli Tomac
  Total package: “He is not falling for that trap. So kudos to Eli Tomac for having it all together. I just don't think his pace is like something that no one else can touch, which I do believe that with Chase Sexton.” [53:48]

Perspective on Championship Mindset

• Jason compares risk management styles: Sexton sometimes “takes the bait” and overextends, risking disaster, while Tomac paces himself and leverages consistency for championship-caliber performance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On expectation and hype:
  “You can’t say he's the second coming and also then say it's not fair to have really lofty expectations. So in the end, kudos to Hayden for kind of taking this thing with both hands and running with it...” — Jason [05:18]

• On Michael Mosman:
  "[He's] just a little nerdy. That's okay. Like, I, trust me, I probably am right now... But don't confuse that with whether I like him or not. Those are two very, very different things." [10:14]

• On RJ Hampshire vs. Joey Savatgy:
  "I'm not going to just completely disregard everything I saw a few months ago based off of three rounds of data." [33:52]

• On 450 Power Ranking volatility:
  “If you disagree, cool. Me too. I don't have a lot of conviction, but these are where I landed.” [31:15]

• On Sexton vs. Tomac:
  “Sexton's top end is a little higher than Eli's. ...The fastest guy doesn't always win.” [53:48–55:36]

Key Takeaways

• Hayden Deegan is meeting (and earning) his considerable hype, adapting impressively to variable conditions and handling pressure.
• Michael Mosman and Ryder D both offer compelling counterpoints: perseverance, character, and delayed gratification paying off.
• 450s are incredibly dynamic; rankings could change any week as riders like Sexton, Tomac, Webb, Roczen, and Lawrence all have credible claims.
• Tomac’s veteran savvy puts him atop the list, but Sexton has the raw pace—if he can minimize errors.
• The Anaheim 2 round featured pivotal moments for many riders’ development—the championship picture is still wide open.

Useful for Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This summary provides the flow, major insights, and context for Industry Seating Ep 224. New listeners can easily catch up on the week's racing storylines, learn how the key riders performed and evolved, and understand the logic behind current 450 power rankings. Jason’s earnest, straightforward delivery and deep knowledge of the sport infuse the whole episode.