Industry Seating Podcast – Ep 227: Indy SX (March 15, 2026)

Host: Jason Thomas
Main Theme:
An in-depth analysis and behind-the-scenes insights into the 2026 Indianapolis Supercross (Indy SX) Triple Crown, the MXGP opener in Argentina, and prognostications for the ongoing championships. Jason Thomas offers firsthand perspective as a former racer, breaking down rider performances, track conditions, pivotal moments, and broader trends in both Supercross and MXGP.

Episode Overview

Jason Thomas delves into:

• The nuances of the Indianapolis Supercross Triple Crown, especially its typical soft and rutted track conditions
• Breakouts, surprises, and concerns in both the 250 and 450 classes at Indy
• Key championship developments, including rider form, major crashes, and what’s at stake as the season progresses
• A deep-dive “power ranking” of the top 10 450SX riders post-Indy
• A brief but focused review of the MXGP opener in Argentina, with commentary on standout performances and future championship trajectories

Note: Ad reads and sponsorships are omitted for the main summary as per instructions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Indianapolis SX: Track Conditions & Triple Crown (05:00–10:00)

• The Indy track was soft and rutty, a familiar narrative for anyone who’s attended since the late ’90s.
• Changes in track maintenance: Modern regulations prohibit some of the soil drying methods previously used after muddy weekends.
• Jason advocates for variety in track conditions to truly test and reward well-rounded champions:
  “Championships of this caliber should have nuance... It should be demanding.” (07:00)

2. 250 Class: Emerging Storylines (10:00–28:00)

Cole Davies Arrives

• Indy was regarded as a make-or-break moment for Cole Davies. He delivered a breakout performance with consistent speed and, crucially, dominance in the whoops:
  “In the whoops, he had such an edge over everybody, and it wasn’t really that close.” (17:30)
• Joe Shimoda’s candid admiration for Davies’ speed in the whoops—
  "I couldn't even believe he was going that fast." (18:15, paraphrased)
• Davies swept the Triple Crown (1-1-1), proving his championship credibility.

Joe Shimoda, Seth Hamaker & Pierce Brown

• Shimoda: Impressive everywhere except the whoops, possibly could have won if not for Davies’ edge there.
• Seth Hamaker: Fast but again plagued by big crashes, which Thomas views as a critical weakness:
  “If big crashes are a weekly or biweekly thing… it’s a ticking time bomb.” (22:10)
• Pierce Brown: Speed is there, consistency remains the challenge, but this year sees him more continuously at the front.

3. 450 Class Power Rankings Post-Indy (28:00–46:00)

List reflects both performance and attrition due to injuries.

10. Justin Hill:

• Unpredictable high-variance results, attributed by Jason to his "artist" personality:
  “The spectrum of performance is much more dictated by his mood and feeling.” (30:20)

9. Christian Craig:

• Season started slow in the U.S., but Indy saw improvement; Australian success chalked up to very specific track conditions favoring his style.

8. Aaron Plessinger (AP):

• Series of unlucky crashes and setbacks, but top-10 pace remains when things go right.

7. Malcolm Stewart:

• Some flashes of brilliance, highlighted by his viral one-handed whoop save at Indy:
  "That Instagram post of him riding the whoops one-handed is… all-time footage." (36:25)
• Early season injuries have limited consistency.

6. Joey Savatgy:

• Riding through a foot injury; Jason empathizes with the pain and admires his perseverance.

5. Justin Cooper:

• Indy Race 2 was his best ride ever in Thomas' estimation—stronger, more aggressive, and able to pass Eli Tomac with authority:
  “If you wanted to make a career highlight tape, that’s going on it.” (41:20)

4. Ken Roczen:

• Looked fastest at Indy, but a mistake in Race 2 led to a massive crash (also involving AP); both riders fortunate to escape injury.

3. Cooper Webb:

• A crucial, but disappointing, round. Now 25 points down, Thomas sees this as potentially decisive for his championship bid:
  “He knows when the pivotal rounds are... this was as close to closing the door on the championship as you can get.” (44:05)

2. Hunter Lawrence:

• Consistent, relentless challenger to Tomac, with strong starts and major momentum after taking it to Eli in Indy’s Race 1 and 3.

1. Eli Tomac:

• Still on top in the power rankings due to legacy, championship experience, and a statistical likelihood to prevail:
  “The most likely outcome is he wins the championship because he’s been there and done it.” (47:25)
• However, it’s essentially a two-rider fight now:
  “I really do believe it’s down to two now.” (48:45)

4. MXGP Argentina Opener Highlights (52:40–57:50)

MXGP (450 Class):

• Hurlings impressively wins on his Honda debut; Febvre shows he’s still a contender, relying on consistency.
• Tim Gajser: Early season crash; bike setup remains a question mark for Yamaha, but Jason expects Gajser to improve.
• Lucas Coenen: Eye issues in the opener, but Jason is “very bullish” on his long-term destined stardom:
  "If I was KTM, I’d have that kid locked up for the next ten years." (55:55)

MX2 (250 Class):

• Längenfelder looked like “the best guy,” possibly overly aggressive.
• Sasha Coenen: Lightning fast, but still crashes too often.
• Liam Everts: Promising, likely podium contender—but not yet a title threat.
• Tom Vialle: Best ride Jason's ever seen from him, exceeding expectations.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Indy’s track conditions:
  “I think that championships of this caliber should have nuance… it should be demanding. The same thing over and over doesn’t really determine who’s the best.” – Jason Thomas (07:00)

• On Davies vs. Shimoda in the Whoops:
  "He had such an edge over everybody... when you hear a guy like Joe Shimoda say, 'there's no way I was going that fast through there,' that's notable because riders don't typically tip their hat that way." – JT (17:30–18:15)

• On the hazards of consistent big crashes:
  “If big crashes are a weekly or biweekly thing… it’s just a matter of time. It’s a ticking time bomb.” – JT (22:10)

• On Justin Cooper’s Indy performance:
  “That was, like, if you wanted to make a career highlight tape, that’s going on it… That does not really happen to Eli very often.” – JT (41:20)

• On where the 450 championship fight stands:
  “I think it’s down to two… One crash could change all that, but all we can do is look at the most likely outcome.” – JT (48:45)

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• Indy Track Conditions & Philosophy on Variation: 05:00–10:00
• Cole Davies Breakout & Whoops Discussion: 15:00–20:00
• Seth Hamaker’s Crashes & Risks of Aggression: 21:00–23:00
• 450 Power Rankings Deep Dive: 28:00–47:30
• Webb’s Championship Outlook: 44:00–46:00
• Hunter vs. Tomac: Head-to-Head Analysis: 47:00–49:00
• MXGP Opener Review: 52:40–57:50

Tone & Style

Jason’s trademark style mixes deep technical knowledge, personal racing anecdotes, and candid, sometimes self-deprecating humor. The tone is approachable and analytical, aimed at fans seeking not just race results but the deeper context—the "why" behind performances and trends.

Final Takeaways

• Indy SX reinforced the importance of track variation and adaptability for championship contenders.
• Cole Davies silenced doubts and propelled himself into true title contention.
• The 450SX title is shaping up as a two-man duel between Hunter Lawrence and Eli Tomac, with the latter narrowly holding the edge thanks to experience.
• MXGP’s opening round was unpredictable, but early returns point toward veteran consistency at the top and rising youth (esp. Coenen brothers) chasing hard.
• Across both series, the season is promising intense battles, shifting fortunes, and pivotal moments yet to come.

For further in-depth analysis, follow Jason Thomas and the Industry Seating podcast every Monday, where the conversation is as much about ‘how’ and ‘why’ as ‘who’ and ‘what’.