10 Things to Watch: New Jersey

USA Supercross 2014

maddix park mx

www.racerxonline.com 

Click here for the Animated Track Map

The Dirt

A big question that everyone has got to be asking themselves right now is what the dirt will be like in East Rutherford. Will it be rocky? Will it be soft? Will it rut up or get hardpacked and slippery? There’s going to be a lot of educated guessing going on come Saturday (although with Feld wanting maximum impact for press day at this race, they invited all the top riders like Ryan Villopoto, James Stewart, Ryan Dungey, Ken Roczen, Justin Barcia and more to ride the track yesterday, so that had to help.) In a new venue with new dirt, the team that nails setup will have a big advantage. – Aaron Hansel

Fun Factor

If Josh Hill doesn’t win his heat, let’s hope he goes to the semi. If he doesn’t win the semi, let’s hope he goes to the LCQ. Don’t worry, we’ve got nothing against Hill—just the opposite in fact. When he won his semi two weeks ago in Seattle he put in a show for the fans on the final lap by busting out a big quad, throwing big whips and manualing a whoop section. It was cool to see a rider having so much fun out there, and here’s hoping we another celebration this weekend. - Hansel

Full Squad

The Monster Energy Kawasaki team will have a full squad again for the first time since San Diego, where Jake Weimer went down in practice and joined the DL. But this Saturday night he’ll be back where he belongs—aboard a KX450F mixing it up with the best supercross racers in the world. How will he do after missing ten races? - Hansel

Can Lemoine make his second podium of the season Saturday? Photo: Simon CudbyCan Lemoine make his second podium of the season Saturday?Photo: Simon Cudby

Last Man Standing

It’s absolutely unbelievable that the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki team, which totally dominated most of the races this year, will not win this 250 East title. All three riders, Martin Davalos, Blake Baggett and Adam Cianciarulo are out with injuries. So now this title is totally and completely within the grasp of GEICO Honda’s Justin Bogle. This is a new scenario for Bogle, heck, it’d be new for anyone since this is such a tragic, sudden, crazy turn of events. Bogle needs to take care of his business by scoring at least nine points in these last two races to overtake Davalos for the points lead. Can you imagine if something crazy happened and he didn’t manage to do that? – Jason Weigandt

Finishing Strong

Eli Tomac’s best finish of the season, a second place, came in Indianapolis, but interestingly enough, Tomac says the best he’s felt all season was in Seattle, where he finished fourth. That’s good news for the rookie, who’s had his fair share of disappointment and difficulties this year. Let’s see if he can keep his late-season surge going by nabbing another podium this weekend. – Hansel

Pick up the phone

Let's say you're Mitch Payton and you’re bummed at seeing these injuries decimate your 250 East team. Who would you call? Or let's say you're Chad Reed and you need someone out there on the Discount Tires Kawasaki to make sure your sponsors are getting what they signed up for before you suffered that series-ending injury... Who would you call? In either case, here's betting four-time National Arenacross Champion Tyler Bowers would answer a call from either of them! - DC

Continued Progress

JAB Motorsports’ Matt Lemoine was rolling before the brief 250SX East Region hiatus. Lemoine followed a fifth in Detroit with his first career podium in Toronto a week later. In St. Louis Lemoine was in podium position for the second straight week before a costly mistake ended in a DNF. Can the veteran pick up where he left off and continue his strong finish? – Chase Stallo

JS vs. RD

It’s a forgone conclusion that Ryan Villopoto will wrap up his fourth consecutive supercross title this weekend. But the duel for second is still surging. James Stewart currently holds a three-point advantage over Ryan Dungey for second with two rounds remaining. Over the last five rounds Stewart has an average finish of second, with Dungey averaging a fifth. Remember, Stewart holds the tiebreaker with five wins to Dungey’s one. Can Dungey close the gap, or will Stewart pad his lead heading to the season finale? – Stallo

Vince Friese can make a big move in points tomorrow. Photo: Simon CudbyVince Friese can make a big move in points tomorrow.Photo: Simon Cudby

BamBam

Following a slow start to the season, Justin Barcia has returned to form with three podiums in the last four races. But Barcia has yet to capture that elusive win. East Rutherford will mark a home race for the rider who was born in New Jersey and raised in New York state. Can he bring home his first win of 2014 in front of the home crowd? – Stallo

Closing In

Vince Friese has been a nomad of sorts in 2014—switching between 450 and 250SX. Friese was last seen in Seattle filling-in for JGR Yamaha in 450SX. Now, Friese will return to the 250SX East Region with hopes of solidifying his spot inside the top five. With Adam Cianciarulo and Blake Baggett off the tour with injuries, Friese has a chance to snag fourth or even third in points over the next two rounds. Can he make a big move in New Jersey? – Stallo

 
Bookmark and Share