10 Things to Watch: St. Louis
Friday, March 1, 2013 | 10:10 AM
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PrintBy Aaron Hansel and Chase Stallo
Eli Tomac
The arrival of the Western Regional 250SX reigning champ in the 450SX class in Atlanta was something to get excited about. After all, Tomac himself has been vocal about preferring the 450, and he's looked plenty capable on it at last year's Monster Energy Cup and the Bercy SX. In Atlanta, Tomac showed some serious promise in practice in, but when the gate dropped in the main, a poor start relegated him to seventh place in his premier debut, which is still pretty good. After the race Tomac admitted that racing a 20-lap main on a 450 was a bigger eye-opener than expected. “Just seeing the guys I was on the track with kind of blew my mind, it was something new,” Tomac explained. With first race jitters now a thing of the past, how will Tomac do this weekend in St. Louis? -Hansel
Qualifying
Supercross qualifying sessions are often quite engaging. Watching the guys battle it out for the top qualifying honors is not only entertaining, but insightful as well, and from the live streaming coverage (which you’ll find right here on Racer X Online on race day) to live timing and scoring now available on your mobile device via the AMA SX app, the afternoon action has never been more accessible. Throw in the deepest 450 field we've ever seen at mid-season (there are seriously eight or nine riders who could put their number on top of the board) and you've got a great race within the race. -Hansel
Will Tomac break through in St. Louis?
Simon Cudby photo
Before Atlanta, Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart had not won a supercross race since Daytona last season. That’s nearly a year-long drought from the racer who was once frequently referred to as the fastest man on the planet! After the win, Stewart was clearly overjoyed, and the win seemed to awaken a spark we haven’t seen in him for quite some time. “It’s a huge confidence booster. I feel like I’m going to be a different person for the rest of the season,” he said. Will Stewart keep things rolling this weekend in St. Louis? -Hansel
Rebound
Star Racing’s Jeremy Martin is fast, and it showed in Atlanta, where he finished fifth just one week after failing to qualify in his pro supercross debut. Martin referred to the snafu in Dallas as “embarrassing,” and although he was much happier about his top five result, he still wasn’t satisfied. “I want to be up front batting for a win. That’s just kind of my mentality,” Martin said in the pits after the race. “Nothing is more fun than winning, and that’s what the team and I both work for.” Will Martin achieve his goal of battling with the likes of Dean Wilson, Wil Hahn and Marvin Musquin in St. Louis? -Hansel
The LCQs
With so much talent present in the 450SX class, there’s bound to be something to watch every time the gate drops, and this has been especially true in the LCQs this year. In Atlanta, Bobby Kiniry and Weston Peick put on a tremendous battle for the final transfer spot with Peick placing more pressure on Kiniry than the IRS on Willie Nelson. And this was behind full-fledged race win contender Trey Canard, who had to race the LCQ, too. The bout ended with Peick spinning out and going down, a result of simply giving it every ounce of effort he had, and then some. How will the LCQs play out tomorrow night? -Hansel
Jeremy Martin looks to keep the ball rolling in St. Louis.
Simon Cudby photo
Familiar Territory
Following a second place finish at the East Region opener in Dallas, Rockstar Energy Racing’s Blake Wharton was a tick off the leaders in Atlanta en route to a fourth. The five-year SX 250F veteran preached about being consistent through the first few rounds during the off-season, which has lead him just seven points back of leader Dean Wilson. With two of the next three rounds (St. Louis and Indy) playing host to the East Region—home of Wharton’s only two 250SX wins—the Texan finds himself in a familiar place—in position to challenge for a championship. Can Wharton begin his title push at the site of his first professional victory in ’09? - Stallo
Still in Contention
Most of the 450SX title talks have centered on points leader Davi Millsaps and two-time defending champion Ryan Villopoto. But the ever-consistent Ryan Dungey is still very much in the thick of the title hunt at just 26 back of Millsaps and four back of Villopoto. One crash of mistake but the #18 or #1 and Dungey is right there with them, and the St. Louis race has hosted that kind of craziness before (oh, like that 2006 race, when both Stewart and Ricky Carmichael crashed out and Chad Reed went from third to first in one night). Dungey knows last weeks sixth in Atlanta won’t cut it if he has any hopes of capturing his second 450SX crown. Can Dungey rebound in St. Louis and pick up ground on the leaders? - Stallo
No Rest for the Weary
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer returned in Atlanta following two weeks on the sidelines with broken ribs. Although Weimer struggled to keep pace after a third place start in the main, he was able to withstand late pressure from Chad Reed to hold onto eighth. With another week to lick his wounds, will Weimer return to his early season form in St. Louis? – Stallo
Kyle Chisholm will make his second apperance under the JGR tent in St. Louis.
Simon Cudby photo
Privateer Watch
The 250SX East Region has produced some surprising rides from privateers Kyle Peters (AG Motorsports), Cole Thompson, rookie Mitchell Oldenburg, Adam Gulley, Lance Vincent (Munn KTM) and Jimmy DeCotis. Now that the cards are on the table, will these under-the-radar young guns keep the ball rolling in the Show Me State? – Stallo
New Beginnings
Following the collapse of Velocity 3 Yamaha, Bobby Kiniry (N-Fab/TiLUBE Yamaha) and Kyle Chisholm (Toyota/JGR Yamaha) have found new homes. Chisholm struggled with crashes and a bad gate pick in the LCQ in his debut last week, while Kiniry will make his introduction in St. Louis. The turmoil of losing your ride during the season can be hazardous to a rider. With each back on solid ground will it begin to show in their results? - Stallo
Bonus!
Dirt Watch
No secret that the riders haven't been happy with the tracks lately. Obstacles have been tame, passing spots rare, and the dirt has been hard and slick. St. Louis usually boasts the best dirt in the series, although with the way once-tacky venues like Atlanta and Indianapolis have hardened up over the last few years, you can' count on anything anymore. Will the STL groove up and lend itself to new lines and passing opportunities? - Jason Weigandt
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Hopefully Stewart doesnt get 'over confident' and start riding over his head. Hes been really steady and super smooth, hope that win doesnt switch him into dart mode.
They tamed down the obstacles because last years took out half the field.
11th thing to watch, the actual race a day later on CBS, if they don't pre-empt it for an infomercial or special edition meet the press? Glad they at least stream the practice session, enjoy that show and the guests interviews they have.
Hoping for a good track!! PLEASE!!!!!!!
You and me both BillC--Indy used to have great dirt.. But now they have supposedly found a spot ot store the dirt indoors, and ever since then the dirt has been dry and hard.. Kind of the opposite of what racers need.. kind sucks.. Lets hope the dirt is moist and soft at least.. Even if the tracks are being built lame..
Feld needs to notch the greed level down a bit and give back to the sport. Warehousing the dirt to maximize profit hurts the sport and cheats both the riders and the fans. Loosen up the purse strings, pay for decent dirt and start paying the riders what they are worth. After all, if not for them and for us, you wouldn't have two nickels to rub together. It's way past time you starting respecting that!
Surprised that Reed was not one of the 10 things to watch for....As the series reaches the halfway point, Reed is one the only guys still "struggling" with bike set up... With a wet week at home and not much time to test, has the 22 pretty much thrown in the towel on the SX series as he sits almost two full races back in points ......
@mgwest949,, I agree,, they seem to be "tight-wads." What's a 450 rider get to win, $12,000? Heck, the stadium sells $12,000 in beer in about 30 seconds..
Hoping (hopelessly) for a 1-2-3-4 start for JS, RV, DM, and RD......in any order!! Oh hell, lets make it really interesting and add 5-6-7-8 with CR, TC, JB, and ET!!! I know it won't happen but it sure is fun to think about!!
Reed increasingly looks as though his time has come, and it kinda hurts seeing him getting passed by the top guys.
@Tracks I hate to say it, because I'd like to see him be a contender, but I agree with what you said. He was almost 40 seconds back of the leader at the end last week, and when he has been close to front he's crashed. By this point in the series, people are starting to settle into the pace that they are going to be at. He's coming off the most serious injuries of his life at almost 30. I'm not sure there is a bike setting that is going to be a magic bullet for his problems.
All that being said, I hope I'm wrong about him. It would be interesting to see what happens if Reed and Dungey were 1-2 out of the second turn.
Here is a question?
Did last years tracks rally "take out the field?"
Dungey - Practice Crash...
Villopoto - washed front end - can you really blame gnarly obstacles for that?
Canard - Shit luck there - could happen at any weekend
Reed - maybe that was the "obstacles" fault but Reed himself blamed it on taking "a bit of a differnt line"
Stewart - gave up - the bone in his hand made his decision easier I am sure - I mean no-one hit the ground more than him last year - looking back through his career though can anyone really say it is the tracks causingthe crashes or is it him?
Barcia - was not there
Millsaps - stayed healthy and rode pretty much under the radar to second in the series...
Brayton - made it through I think he missed a round or two
Weimer - not really sure...cant remember
Tickle - made it through
Alessi - carer best SX finish...see above as to why
Josh Hill injured in first turn crash at A1 - not the tracks fault
Shall I go on? Stop balming the tracks Feld, then using it as an excuse for rider safety while really, you (Feld) are skimping on the dirt to save money and increase your profit margins.
Shit you know we are in a sorry state of affairs when dirt isn't even cheap anymore...anyone remember the Phrase "cheap as dirt?"
It was actually '09 when Wharton won his first race, just sayin'......
@Tracks @MX Bob - c'mon guys, Reed's had 6 top 5's in the 8 races thus far, was on Davi's rear fender at San Diego 3 weeks ago for a win. Sure a championship isn't likely but he can surely snag a win this season and grab some podiums. Gotta root for the new 'old guy'.
Good dirt would make racing WAY better. buy some dirt and quit using the same old crap.
All they need to do is water the dirt, and disc it and let it soak in, like they do in MX. Now they just smooth it out and pack it down with a 10,000 pound caterpiller.. No wonder why it's slick and rock hard.. No need to "buy" new dirt, just re-fresh the old dirt..
@motodog77 - I'm still rooting for Reed. He just hasn't given me a lot of reason for optimism the last few races. It's starting to look like his outdoor season after his big Millville crash.
Another meaningful contribution to the thread by 323mx, but I guess "it is what it is".
whatever we had some of that last week and there was no passing. We need a good track to see passing.
Can Stewart go 9th place in points last week - just a few points shy of 10th place in points and possibly jump up to 6th this week? Those 25pts for wins sure make a big difference....Considering his DNF, DNS, the 15th and few outside the top 5 finishes, it will be interesting to see how far he can climb in points come vegas....top 4 is possible....top 3 highly in likely
Some of the best tracks ever were early 2000's. Anaheim 2 and 3 for example. bring back the freaking technical stuff. When guys were nervous going from table to single. Inside lines and steep triples. At the very least, put those scrubs to the test for caprine differences. Dammit, its supercross, not VETCROSS.
Dam autocorrect ^^^^
Segment differences*
Dinosaurmedia I agree 100 percent. Feld has definately cut back on the amount of dirt they are hauling to the stadiums. I dare them to deny it. Fuel is very expensive these days, and they are cutting their cost for the track. My guess is about 1/3 less dirt. Its impossible to make the tracks as challenging with limited dirt. I remember reading that it used to take about 600 truck loads. I would like to know how many they have been using this year probably 400 or less.......
MXBOB, you should put a D23 logo on your name so we know its you and not the imposter. I haven't seem the double agent for awhile.. "LOL"
We all may as well just give up hopes on a good track til MX comes around. Have to agree on Reed..I said something to that effect about him last week. Wins will not come easy for him this year but i think it's safe to say he'll get one.
@323mx; With that said; What exactly are you saying...
Like the saying moving forward.. I personally know of No One that looks backwards or walks backwards! stupid people that just folow the words of others... You people !.......... lol.......... should be your own person not what someone is trying to mold you into! Like a tool ! With that being said ! Capeesh!!!!!!!
BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ WORDSSSSSSSSSS
I am so tired about hearing this is the DEEPEST FIELD EVER. Someone PLEASE explain how? Why is it deeper than every other year? Because lap times are close? That's track design, not talent.
The field was just as deep 5 years ago and deeper 15 years ago. Good lord..
James Stewart, majorly hurt and at the tail end of career. Chad Reed, coming off MAjOr injury and almost 30. Windham retired. Millsaps a historically unmotivated underachiever, trey Canard has only won 2 races and coming off A badly broken back and back back broken femurs. Justin Barcia a single race win and hasn't done anything since. The only two in their prime is Dungey and Villopoto.. (Champions of the class).
I'm not knocking anyone, they are all fantastic riders but the talent level is NOT so amazing.
Bradshaw, Stanton, Omara, Bayle, Cooper, Kiedrowski, johnson, ward, ward, matasievich, Larocco. That's just as deep or deeper than now.
How about Doug Henry, Emig, ward, McGrath,Larocco, Lamson, Hughes, Huffman, swink, Bradshaw, lusk, Windham. That's even deeper..
Every year they say the same thing. Bikes are way faster and talent is way deeper. Well by now they should be bodybuilders on spaceships
I got one for you: Watch James win. There ya go.
"'feel like I’m going to be a different person for the rest of the season,' he said. Will Stewart keep things rolling this weekend in St. Louis?" Hansel, to answer your question, No! Actually I hope JS is not going to be a different person because that would make him the person he has been the previous 9 years, an arrogant jack ass. He has changed his attitude this year and he seems more focused. Here is something to watch for too... I predict JS will take a dirt nap in the main but will end up 4th.
And since we are commenting on CR I would like to throw this out there. I have heard so much about Stewart's ACL it makes me sick. Remember, Reed done some damage to his as well. He had an MRI done on it and he decided to race the entire year before he gets it fixed. This may be bothering him, but the difference between JS and CR is you do not hear CR whining about it or even mentioning it. You don't hear Kevin Barnett, Jim Holley, Ralph, Emig, or RC talking about it either. This may be Reed's last year on the bike. I say he will get a win before he is done in this series.
Well my comment didn't go anywhere. I was jonesing for a debate.. I got nothin'
You guys just aren't into It anymore.
I agree, Reed is almost done but I hope he wins. I love having him in the field
@someguy,, Daytona will be a good track,, I can assure you. IF, it doesnt rain..
@StarPlaya4Life/SuyperSXFanMan--Wow!! Way to contribute big guy!!
@mxmofo--Sure--Daytona is always good, because Feld doesnt have a hand in that one.. Its RC, the GOAT--who designs and builds that one.. A racer can build a good track.. Maybe Feld should go back to that.. Some of the best racing we had was when the riders were designing some of the tracks.. Laroco did Indy that year.. K-Dub did New Orleans.. Pastrana did St. Louis.. they were some great tracks..