10 Things to Watch: Dallas
Friday, February 15, 2013 | 10:00 AM
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PrintBy Aaron Hansel and Chase Stallo
Rookie Debut
Three exciting new rookies will make their supercross debuts this weekend in Dallas - Jeremy Martin (brother of Alex), Zach Bell and Justin Hill (brother of Josh). All three have shown big potential in the amateur ranks, and in the limited time Bell put in at the Nationals last year, he showed that he’s got plenty of raw speed on tap at the pro level as well. How will these rookies fair on their big night in Dallas? – Aaron Hansel
Class Jumper
Love him or hate him, you’ve got to admit that the controversial Vince Friese has done pretty well so far in 2013. After qualifying for five of the first six rounds of Monster Energy Supercross, Friese will now make the jump from the 450SX class to the Eastern Regional 250SX class, something he and Tuf Racing had planned since before the start of the season. Will Friese be able to adapt to the 250 fast enough to be competitive in Dallas? – Aaron Hansel
Vince Friese will be racing the 250 East Region after beginning the year on a 450 out west.
Simon Cudby photo
Josh Hill
An eighteenth place finish would’ve been considered a terrible result for Josh Hill a few years ago, but after several injury-plagued years (and not racing a single supercross main event since 2010), just putting the Dodge/Sycuan Suzuki in the show has got to make Hill happy. Now that he’s got that first race out of the way and knows the pace, how will this past supercross race winner do this Saturday night? – Aaron Hansel
Second Time Around
Marvin Musquin did very well in his first attempt at Monster Energy Supercross last year. He took four podiums, three of which were second places, and finished third overall in the points. Now that he’s got some experience under his belt, Musquin is expected to be a title contender in the Eastern Regional 250SX series. Will he live up to these expectations when the gate drops in Dallas? – Aaron Hansel
LaMayn Event
Rock River Racing’s Ben LaMay broke through in San Diego to make his first supercross main event of the year. LaMay probably would have liked to place a little higher than nineteenth, but it’s better than the mechanical DNF he suffered in the last main event (Oakland 2012) he made. With the series now heading to Texas, LaMay’s current state of residence, will he make his second consecutive main event of 2013? – Aaron Hansel
Is 2013 the year for Dean Wilson?
Jeff Kardas photo
Wilson's to Lose?
After a off-season filled with turmoil, team and bike changes, Dean Wilson is back on the 250 and back with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki. The 2011 250 outdoor champion is the early favorite to lock in his first SX title on the East, but will face a stiff challenge from the likes of Marvin Musquin, Wil Hahn, Blake Wharton and others. Will Wilson kick start his title campaign with a win at the opening round? - Chase Stallo
Going Streaking?
Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Ryan Villopoto's 2013 season has been a mixed bag thus far. It has been filled with wins, crashes and atypically inconsistent results. Yet, you would be hard pressed to find anyone that doesn't think the two-time defending champion can't reel off three or four wins and climb right back into the title chase. Will RV's run to a third straight title begin this weekend in the House that Jerry Built? - Chase Stallo
Key to the Race
To steal a line from the great Jeff Emig, the key to the race in Dallas will be ... starts. Only once this season in 450SX has a rider come from outside the top two off the start (Villopoto started sixth at A2) and gone on to win the race. In a parity driven field -- four winners through six rounds -- starts have become even more important in 2013. Will the top two off the start again provide the race winner in Dallas? - Chase Stallo
Can RV start a streak this weekend in Dallas?
Simon Cudby photo
Now or Never
Aside from Dean Wilson, Rockstar Energy Racing's Blake Wharton will be the only rider on the 250SX gate in Dallas who has ever stood on the top step of a supercross podium –- Blake has two career wins to his credit. Wharton has always been consistent -- four straight seasons in top five in points -- but has yet to really establish himself as a title contender. Will 2013 be the year Wharton finally makes a run at a title? - Chase Stallo
Men Down
The 2013 250SX East Region kicks off this weekend in the Big D with a number of title contenders on the sidelines. Monster Energy Kawasaki's Darryn Durham is still recovering from a severed Achilles and is expected to miss a few rounds. GEICO Honda's Justin Bogle (broken right scaphoid and dislocated left wrist), Rockstar Energy Racing's Nico Izzi (torn ACL) and Eleven10 Mods Yamaha's Alex Martin (wrist) are all expected to miss significant time as well. The door is now open for someone to step up and claim their positions atop the food chain. Who will be said rider(s) to fill their spots in the standings? - Chase Stallo
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A ruptured Achilles is no fun, been there done that. At face value the east coast seems boring, but it may provide the best racing we will see
Dungeys gonna win this championship kids. Respect it.
I'm not too big of a fan of Wilson but I fully expect him to take home the 250 East title this year. However, I admire his desire to move to the 450 before this season and hope he doesn't come back to the 250 class to "defend his title". Defending a 250/lites/125/support/etc. title is so stupid.
@Rick--I feel you dude.. I tore my Achilles as a kid, refused to get it in a cast.had to finish my baseball season..(big championship game) couldnt run. got on base and the Coach put in pitch runners.. And now after over 35 years, I am still paying for it.. It will still hurt and even swell sometimes..but thats how it goes, its no joke for sure..
Kind of excited to see the East Coast buys go at it.. Musquin will give Wilson a run this season.. I really hope Hahn gets it this year.. He will be the one I am pulling for..
I'm not poking fun at Emig, but yeah, this never-ending 'The start is key' thing is ridiculous. It's like saying 'the sun is going to rise tomorrow', or 'is Millsaps for real this year?' - no need to mention starts again, but they do it every time.
And btw, 'authors' - look up fare/fair.
Has anyone else been having problems with the stupid "Share this article: Tweet" thing blocking part of the page and getting in the way of reading lately?
rickamatuzio I would have to respectfully disagree about the east being boring. While Dean may have enjoyed more press and an outdoor title, I think Wilson will have his hands full with Musquin, Wharton and Hahn. Izzi and Bogle may make some noise when they return for injury also. The rookies Bell, Hill and Martin will be a show with in a show, I bet all three will have there moments in the spotlight.
#11. thing to watch for in Dallas: BD25 roaming the pits and raising the roof...lol.. bet you all will be anxious to read my post next week....lol..Every one enjoy the races live on Speed!!!
@ 731Chopper
yup....I somehow was able to get rid of it but it's annoying.
I predict the a lot of green on the top step tonight....both classes. Deano is gonna man-handle that 250 ala Tomac
Another vote for leaving the "keys to the race" out of the show....please. At this point the folks in the booth would have us believe that we should stop watching after the first turn. The KEY to the race is getting to the finish line first! You guys (and gal) doing the broadcast should have a great deal of insight to share that would make the races better to listen to. I would much rather hear about what it is like to be competing, why riders are taking what lines, what it's like to go as fast as possible and not shake the rider behind you and so on......Drop the script and use your brains. Ask yourself "what does the audience want to hear about?" Go stand outside the arena and ask people that do not usually see supercross what they are most curious about. The audience will tell you what they want to hear.
And having the viewing audience vote about the races?
Go look at successful motorsports coverage and think about how you could improve the broadcast.......
Get someone to sit with a novice viewer and write down the questions they ask during the race and you will find some major insight......
@ BD25
I'll see ya... I'll be with the man !! Big Lyle ............
Ill have my poto hat on !
"To steal a line from the great Jeff Emig, the key to the race in Dallas will be ... starts. Only once this season in 450SX has a rider come from outside the top two off the start (Villopoto started sixth at A2) and gone on to win the race. In a parity driven field -- four winners through six rounds -- starts have become even more important in 2013. Will the top two off the start again provide the race winner in Dallas?"
.I don't feel there is as much parity as the points show (as far as speed goes), It has been all in the starts so far "san's" A2.
jjbigfly good thought.
.I just hope they stop the dumb Twit pic's, I would rather have them walk thru the pit with the camara than look at someones dog stitting on their bike or a bike in the house!!
To even mention the possibility of ANYBODY going on a win streak in the 450 class right now is nothing more than completely idiotic. Maybe it was said just to get people fired up. There are just way too many people who are fully capable of winning on any given night. It would take an incredible amount of luck and perfect starts for anybody to even think about a streak. Not at all likely to happen.
More Diana Dahlgren...please and thank you!
Yes the start is always the "key" After many years of racing I learned it was much easier to work your way from the front to the back rather than working your way from the back of the pack to the front!
Also I wont be able to make it to Jerry World because BillC or CZmark forgot to send me my tickets?? I will be there in spirit and with Racer X twitter!
Just waiting for Emig to say "the key to the race is to get the start"
I Second jjbigfly
ask the onces who know little about SX what they like to know.
Agree Keys to the race is not good...especially talking starts
BUT we have to pleased that SX / MX is on the telly nowadays it wan't always like that.
I also hate the "keys to the race" segment....but I'd love to see KW14 in the booth instead of that annoying Ralph. KW14 is suposed to be taking the GOAT's place for six races in the booth this year...let's hope he nails this "audition" and displaces Ralph for next season. Let's get two ( or three ) former riders in the booth instead of Ralph "auto show" Shaeen for next season
@731Chopper - Yes, this problem with the banners showing up all over the page has re-surfaced. It was a problem a couple of months back, was fixed, then started up again this week. Along with the non-playing videos a couple of weeks ago, it seems Racer X is having some QC issues with the website.
FWIW, I'm using a Mac on OSX 10.7.5 and running Safari as my browser.
One race-related comment, I seriously fear for the young rookies Bell, Hill and Martin. All have been injury prone as amateurs, and it's not like racing SX makes things safer....I hope these kids can stay off the Asterisk mule!
warrior462, if RV can get top 3/4 starts he could easly win 4 or 5 in a row. Who is going to pass him?? Name one guy that has. bottom line is starts and if RV can get them and not make any stupid mistakes he can. He has benn getting in trouble because he is back in the pack and things happen then. there is a lot of guys who could win a few in a row with holeshots so i don't really think it's as crazy to think it could happen as you think.
M a r v i n
MUSQUIN
<blink><b>#1.#1.#1.#1.#1.#1</blink></font>
Oh boy Billy..
someone will chime in here any minute telling of how RD passed RV on the first lap at SD! You be sure to remind them that it wasn't a case of RD making the pass but more a case of RV missing the triple and having to go double/single.
@hamncheeze
I'm on win7 using chrome so it must be an error on their end.
My novice question is how do they decide which heat race will the qualifers be assigned to?
@BILLC-- Look at RV's last Go-Pro video, he got passed by Dungey and Stewart, and once by Georke.. He passed him but not Stewart and Dungey, he never passed them back.. yes is fast, but he isnt God..
@pinkfld42--RV won the title in 2011 and 2012--Dungey only won in 2010, when RV was out with an injury..
Real mofo....
I warned BillC it was coming....I know it's a moot point but if you actually watch the video its more a case of RV screwing up the rhythms than the other guys passing him. twice he missed a triple.....traction issues?
1-JB
2-RV
3-RD
@ pinkfld42
don't be a d**k. If I pull over for gas and you drive by me on the freeway is that really still a pass?
No actually you're right....Matt Georke is better than RV now....times are a changing
How about a liitle love for Rookies that dont have the pedigree or profile of the Hill, Bell or Martin but won title(s) as Amateurs
Munn Racing KTM Zack Williams
JAB Motorsports Vann Martin
Privateer Jesse Wentland
JimM
These guys dont have the pedigree or profile of the Hill, Bell or Martin
dangit........The last sentence was a duplicate
I'd love to see split screen technology in the TV coverage. I HATE hearing the crowd get loud when we peel away from the leaders to see something else! Is this really expensive or something?
i want wilson 2 win this title.....he should dominate.... but my gut tells me marvin will win this saturday....and give wilson a very real fight for the title...
theres no way MM25 hasnt been marking KROC at the test track...and the TOMAC/KROC pace is hell fast!!! if MM can even match that at the test track wilson has a fight on his hands!!....
Black Jack...the heat races are split evenly between the top 40 qualifying times...
Heat 1 # 1 qualifier, # 3 qualifier, # 5 etc...
Heat 2 # 2 qualifier, # 4 qualifier, # 6 etc
Villopoto was out with an injury in 2010? If memory serves he was there for 3/4 of the season before torpedoing dungey THEN going "out" with an injury, while trailing.........um....dungey.
Having this East/West (split) 250 format always brings a welcome element to the entire series. An early 7th inning stretch, if you will. And, I am always amazed at the quality of racing which they bring. To see the new hot-shoes out of the amateur ranks, ready to make their private statements to the world, never ceases to bring you further to the edge of your seat, if that is possible.
Should be exciting to see how Dean'o makes his entrance after his multi-injury absence, which seems like years.
1. RD
2. JB
3. RV
@Ripdown--I have to agree with Pinkfld on this one...He got passed.. Most guys get passed because of a mistake.. If RV was faster, he would have made the time up and passed them back.. He had 19 laps to do it in.. And I said he passed Georke back didnt I???
@chromob--he was out with injury though right?? Right.. Never said he was beating him ,just said its the year Dungey won..
BillC open your eyes for a second man. Sure, if Villopoto starts up front four or five races in a row he can (not easily, but can) win them. The chances of getting those starts is almost nothing, there is nobody out there that much better at starts than everybody else anymore. You are an absolute fool who can only see it one way, and everybody around here is sick of hearing your constant nonsense.
Thank you xxBigHoopxx.
@xxktm, Crowd screaming on the live audio and broadcast viewer watching a flashback is a major fail. Split screen it, or show it after the completed laps while the winner is removing helmet, wiping face, setting advertising goggles, putting headset on and rinsing mouth. It would make for a clean cut from end of race to interview facetime.
Lapel mic roving reporter so when rider is approached for airtime it can look more natural rather than inquiry, microphone thrust and talent step back. Have a back and forth conversation. Minor stuff here, just suggestive polish for a top shelf sport.
I don't remember a better stacked field. East or West lites is great. We got Marvin, Dean, Blake going at it? And Reed looked to comfortable on his Honda. I'm calling him as the next 450 winner. Every since I seen him clean windows at 40 foot with no scaffolding..................or windows............gotta love the dude lol. Most insane walk away I have seen in my 44 years following the sport. Davalos has second now lmfao.
@ rickmatuzio thank you for using the right word, ruptured. To often in sports the media use the wrong word and add confusion about injuries, like in football when they say a guy sprained his ankle and returned for the second half. Sprained is a partial tear, torn can heal but usually requires scoping, severed would imply that something cut the tendon, ruptured means totally blown apart not connected at all. I, unfortunately, have had all of them at one time or another. Rupturing my patella tendon was the worst injury, not all that painful after the first few minutes, but it took forever to heal. 2 solid years before i was right again. Broken bones are nothing compared to a ruptured tendon.
@ britisharmpump I have been thinking the same thing! MM25 should be at the same pace as Roczen. I'm hoping that MM and Deano have a great battle for the title, I'm a big fan of both! Wharton should be in the mix as well. I can't wait for Saturday night, its going to be great!!!
warrior462..Who is the fool??
. First you say it's "completely idiotic" To think anyone can, then you say "if Villopoto starts up front four or five races in a row he can (not easily, but can) win them"
....So what are you saying?? LMFAO
BlowC continues to add to his list of haters lol. And no Blow, I didnt read your posts, I skipped past them and enjoyed all the other posts telling you how dumb you are. Now go hop on your TTR-125 and leave the message boards to the real mx guys.
"
Ripdown wrote: about 3 hours ago
No actually you're right....Matt Georke is better than RV now....times are a changing
"
.I think you nailed it!! I can't believe I did not see it!! LOL good one.
ronniebarnhardt WOW some 3 grade humor. Be sure to run up stairs and tell Mommy how you called someone a name on line. Wow she must be so proud of you. Maybe tonight when she is changing you peepee stained sheets you can ask her if you can go on line again tomorrow!!
Hate to see what happens after I say this but I only see RD5 winning one more race this year. TC41,JB51,DV18 will all have more wins in the end RV may win a couple more but his starts have been horrible and like our good buddy Jeff has said that is the key to the race.
Anyone else think the two initials + number thing is getting to be a little too much? Whatever happened to good old nicknames and/or taking half a second to spell out a whole word?
Kawi62, please look into your crystal ball and tell me when my wife is gonna find out about my girlfriend, Id like to be prepared for that one, thanks.
731Chopper, I couldnt agree more, I would have preferred to read Baby Jesus, Bam Bam and the Duke in Kawis post.
Wow, Bill, way to take things out of context and leave out the important parts to "prove" your point. Do you work in media? Because you should. To answer your question, still you. If you'd like to continue proving my point, feel free, thanks a lot.
OK the whole thing then. "BillC open your eyes for a second man. Sure, if Villopoto starts up front four or five races in a row he can (not easily, but can) win them. The chances of getting those starts is almost nothing, there is nobody out there that much better at starts than everybody else anymore. You are an absolute fool who can only see it one way, and everybody around here is sick of hearing your constant nonsense"
.Does it really change anything?? NOPE. you still said yes he could do it. and why must you call me names?? Does it make you feel big or someything? Really quite sad.
im just wandering and waiting when millsaps will have some bad luck or bad race, i dont want it to happen it would be great to see him keep the red plate but it just seems inevitable
It changes everything. Never did I say it was impossible, that would be even more foolish than saying it's likely. But I was consistent in saying that it is not likely to happen. I call you a fool because you act like a fool, nothing wrong with that.
Billc, this is weird the sensivitive little boys out there that get their feelings hurt when you seem to think RV has a chance at winning this title. Hmmmmm RV is the only one to start in 6th and win. He has won the last 2 years in a row. he has won more sx races than anyone the last 3 years running. He has had 3 bad races and is STILL in 3rd.
I say he wins 6 more and takes the title this year, hope I didn't hurt anybodies feelings.
Warrior462...This is getting old. Here is what you said.
."To even mention the possibility of ANYBODY going on a win streak in the 450 class right now is nothing more than completely idiotic."
...To mention the pssibility is completely idiotic......Are you trying to say that is much different than saying "impossible"...and you call me a fool?? You don't even know what you said!! please stop my gut hurts.
davidl you are 100% right. I have NEVER come across such a sensivitive group of people in my life. You simply say what you think will happen and they go nuts!! I LOL all the time about it.
@ BillC
You can kill them, but you can't call them names !!! LOL !!
So was RV's streak of 2-1-1 a fluke and idiotic and will someone feel stupid and idiotic when he does 3 in a row ? I think its clear RV has been struggling with new forks and setup as has CR and that RV has beaten himself on the days he didn't finish top 1 or 2. I don't think he is to worried about the competition as much as his own riding and sliding out. Corners are normally his strongest point and thats what has been biting him. He gets those figured out and his starts have really been averaging top 5 and he wins quite often with those.
Can't wait for tomorrow !!!
Ok , rv won in 2012 when everyone was "out" with injuries. Fair enough. It was his only big bike title that didn't go down the last race, championship yes, ass whoopin ? Save it.
So championships aren't legitimate anymore if they aren't wrapped up before the final race and nobody is injured? Wow, I hope nobody ever wins a legitimate championship again then. The number 1 guy going into the last race with 26+ points with everyone being healthy all season sounds like an extremely boring championship to watch.
And just to throw some gas on the fire for some fun... has Dungey ever beat Villopoto in a season that they both completed healthy? Nope. Has Villopoto ever lost a 450 championship that he completed healthy? Nope. Has Dungey ever won a championship that he failed to complete healthy? Nope. Has Villopoto ever won a championship that he failed to complete healthy? Yep.
I got tickets in club section # 110 half way between turn 2 and 3 jump section ..I'll have on a Racer X shirt on and be wearing a black with white lettering GLOCK hat................Say hi ... 5'10'' 220 lbs big arms clean shave cant miss me... I will have a blond bombshell that will get your radar up real quick............LOL
BillC: Quit truing to put your boy in a separate category from the other great riders. You're pathetic. People like you are turning people like me against RV. I'm still an RV fan but it's obvious that, as he follows in the footsteps of JS-without the punk stuff) his fans are starting to sound just like JS's fans used to sound. And you are leading the way Billy boy...
JTV777: PREACH!!
RV was winning the series in 2012 before anyone was injured, He also won the title in 2011 NOT due to others injuries and he also won more races in 2010 until he wrecked all by himself- in the lead. He has also won more than any other active rider today for the us at MXON. Is this ok with the people that don't like him ?
I have never said or believed he was dominate or head and shoulders above the competition. I believe he will have to work his ass off to win this year as with any title he has competed for. I don't understand why some people have a problem with being a fan and thinking your guy will win. I do believe he has the best shot at winning each race he enters at this point- is this ok ?
Hey all of you RV worshippers...where is RV on the all-time win list?
@davidl
Nope. Not okay. You obviously have a picture of him next to your bed that you pucker up and kiss goodnight each night. No way could you just have a favorite to win. You are so biased with that kissy picture and all.
Everyone knows [insert your favorite rider here] isn't actually any good and only won [insert championship won here] because [insert my favorite rider here] wasn't there. [insert my favorite rider here] is the best because [insert random fact or opinion here].
all of these arguments are just dumb
i like dungey ok somebody attack me
@villaslowdoh
You only like dungey because you are a racist. You are so obvious.
@jw - I don't worship any racer, but to answer your question: RV is 7th on the all-time SX win list (big boy class). When he gets 3 more wins this season, he'll move ahead of Hannah and RJ into 5th. Not too shabby for 5 years in the 450 class.
MC: 72
RC: 48
JS: 44
CR: 41
RJ: 28
BH: 27
RV: 26
DB: 19
@731 chopper you're hilarious and i love that picture of Clint.
Here some nicknames, try 'em on for size.
villapoto-poto or champ
dungey- the dung or duung
reed - reedy
tomac - colorado kid
wilson - deano
musquain - moose or movin' marv
wharton - stringz
canard - resurrection
millsaps - caveman or points leader
Hell join in and have some fun.
@jw621557--Wins list?? Who cares, its titles, and he already has the same number of titles as Stewart and Reed.. If he can somehow win this season he will be one of a select group to win 3 supercross titles in a row.. Something Stewart and Reed could NEVER do..Plus he will have one more title than those two.. So I would say RV1 has done pretty darn good so far.. Considering he has alot less starts than both of them and already has the same number of titles..
I cant believe BILLC of all people is in an argument with somebody---no freaking way!! Not BillC..LOL!!
@rjstreets--Reeds nickname used to be "Skippy"
Sometimes this comment board makes me feel like I am in the middle of a battle between the Hatfields and MCCoy's???? Most etertaining!
@BillC--Don't stress bout' the lil' boys on here man. They can't handle mere statements.
RVs gonna stomp all your asses...bwa aha...LOL....
RVs been the man the last couple of years. I knew when he got injured in SX 10' he was gonna come back with a fury. This year i'm not sure, soooo deep. I'm still pullin tho.
I see Barcia/Villopoto as the two most competitive guys this year, as far as aggression and the way they appear to attack the track. They're just extremely fun to watch. I'll throw Canard in there too but until he can break his string of bad luck, i dunno, we'll see.