Industry Seating Podcast - EP 229: Detroit SX

Host: Jason Thomas
Date: March 29, 2026

Overview

In this episode of Industry Seating, Jason Thomas breaks down the action-packed Detroit Supercross (SX) round, delving into standout performances, major crashes, and what it all means for the ongoing championship battle. With a focus on the 250 and 450 classes, Jason offers unique analysis on emerging rider talent, power rankings, and the shifting momentum among championship contenders. The tone is candid, reflective, and deeply knowledgeable, with personal anecdotes and insights about rider mentality and development.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Traveling and Race Experience

• Jason opens with the challenge of constant travel in the Supercross circuit, sharing how cities and venues blur together with the hectic schedule.
• Tone: Relatable, conversational. Sets the stage for in-depth race discussion.

2. 250 Class Breakdown

(Begins ~04:20)

• Cole Davies’ Breakout Ride

  • Jason expresses surprise and admiration for Cole Davies, admitting he’d underestimated him in the past:

    "What I'm seeing from Cole Davies now is something else entirely. The way he was hitting those whoops is not... That's not common." (06:30)

  • Emphasis on Davies' exceptional skill in handling the whoops, especially as many riders were caught out:

    "It's the not really caring about the penalty. Or maybe he does care and it's just like, no, that's not going to happen to me because I have a skill level above that..." (09:40)

  • Cites conversations with Will Christian about nuanced racecraft and insight from a private Zoom call with Davies:

    "It's hard to be happy when you're not happy with your riding." – Cole Davies, quoting from their Friday call (15:05)

  • Praises mental fortitude and encourages Davies to give himself some leeway, especially in only his second year.

• Seth Hammaker

  • Recognized for a steady ride but limited by whoops:

    "He finally did anything positive at Detroit because after the heat, you're just like, oh boy, here we go again. ...The whoops are going to preclude him from being anywhere near Davies." (17:50)

  • Notes that Hammaker must capitalize on rounds where whoops are less critical (e.g., St. Louis).

• Jo Shimoda

  • Jason reflects on Shimoda's struggle to maintain pace and intensity, relating it logically to offseason injury and lack of riding time:

    "When I watch him ride now... small mistakes... That is super indicative of not enough riding in the offseason." (20:45)

• Devin Simonson & Cody Shock Incident

  • Describes their wild near-crash as “unbelievable and terrifying and incredible all at the same time.” (22:20)
  • Expresses relief that it didn’t result in disaster.

• Henry Miller

  • Praises Miller for taking advantage of a chaotic night to achieve a memorable result:

    "Henry Miller will never forget that moment. ...Those are life, you know, kind of forever memories." (23:40)

3. Power Rankings & 450 Class Analysis

(Begins ~25:00)

Jason reveals his Power Rankings for the weekend, providing detailed analysis for each rider:

10. Justin Hill

• Notes improvement and speculates offseason preparation issues due to living in Wyoming.

9. Joey Savatgy

• Highlights Savatgy’s talent and points out the increased difficulty of factory spots due to international competition.

8. Malcolm Stewart

• Nearly places him higher after a podium but weighs ongoing performance and future outlook.

7. Jorge Prado

• Acknowledges Prado’s speed, especially as the series moves outdoors.

6. Justin Cooper

• Reflects on Cooper’s steady ride (4th place) and ongoing struggles with the whoops:

  "He can be a great rider and the whoops can be a liability. And that's just the world Justin Cooper lives in right now." (33:10)

5. Chase Sexton

• Credits his return to the front and resilience despite ongoing discomfort with his bike:

  "To not be thrilled with how things are going and still get the heat win and get a second place finish, like, man, I can't be too upset." (34:10)

4. Cooper Webb

• Analyzes Webb’s aggressive racing against Prado and how it led to mistakes:

  "I cannot wait on Jorge Prado anymore. I cannot be patient... If the door's open, I gotta go now." (36:40)

• Predicts continued high-risk racing from Webb due to championship pressure.

3. Ken Roczen

• Hails Roczen’s "vintage" ride and newfound momentum:

  "He just managed the race. ...He just hasn't been able to make the most of the speed that he's had." (39:00)

2. Eli Tomac

• Discusses uncertain form and hypothesizes injury or bike problems:

  "When I watch him ride, he looks really tentative... There’s just no way a fully good to go Eli Tomac is just moving over for Justin Cooper when the championship is at stake." (41:40)

1. Hunter Lawrence

• Outlines the impact of Lawrence’s costly crash and its ramifications for the championship:

  "That crash as a racer is so tough because it was fine until it wasn't. ...And then from zero to a hundred, it goes sideways and wrong, and then he's just, like, swatted to the ground." (45:10)

• Notes the narrow avoidance of injury and the dramatic shift in championship dynamics.
• Sets up Ken Roczen’s opportunity:

  "If Kenny Roczen ever wants to win a 450 supercross championship, this is... I don't know that he'll get a better shot than this." (48:15)

4. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On seeing special talent:

  "When you see it, you have to be brave enough and willing to call it out because it doesn't come along all that often." (12:25)

• Wild whoops section:

  "All the guys crashing... That's what makes what Cole Davey was doing so incredibly impressive." (08:55)

• On the current 450 title race:

  "It is a whole new ball game in the 450 class. ...If he [Roczen] can, the door's open. It is game on." (49:10)

5. Rider Mentality & Behind-the-Scenes Insights

• Jason relays detailed Zoom interview insight into Cole Davies’ mindset, discussing self-expectation versus performance enjoyment.
• Transparent about changing opinions:

  "I didn't really see it... I don't know if that's just on me for not seeing it or if he took this gigantic quantum leap forward..." (06:20)

6. Safety & Community

• Briefly acknowledges a serious accident involving Monster Energy Girl family at a recent race, saluting Jason Cobb and Race Rentals for their assistance. (51:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:44 – Episode intro and sponsor acknowledgments
• 04:20 – 250 Class analysis begins, Cole Davies discussion
• 06:30 – What makes Davies’ whoop speed unique
• 15:05 – Zoom call with Cole Davies: "It's hard to be happy when you're not happy with your riding."
• 17:50 – Seth Hammaker and whoop limitations
• 20:45 – Jo Shimoda’s regression explained
• 22:20 – Simonson & Shock wild near-crash
• 23:40 – Henry Miller’s memorable finish
• 25:00 – Power Rankings introduction
• 33:10 – Justin Cooper’s duality as a rider
• 36:40 – Webb-Prado incident context
• 39:00 – Ken Roczen’s race management
• 41:40 – Eli Tomac’s mysterious downturn
• 45:10 – Hunter Lawrence’s crash breakdown
• 48:15 – Roczen’s title window
• 51:20 – Race Rentals praised for off-track heroics

Conclusion

Jason Thomas delivers a thorough and nuanced reflection on Detroit SX, emphasizing the evolving landscape in both classes and the drama that comes with the unique challenges of Supercross. With honest observations, inside info, and memorable commentary, he sets the stage for even more unpredictable action as the series heads to St. Louis.