10 Things to Watch: Southwick
Friday, August 10, 2012 | 12:00 PM
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PrintBy Aaron Hansel and Chase Stallo
Pivotal Moments
Every National is big, but for the 250 Class this year, Southwick is massive. With eight motos to go, Blake Baggett and Justin Barcia are only separated by eleven points, while Eli Tomac, at thirty-points back, remains in the hunt. If Baggett has another subpar moto like he did at Washougal, it could be the opening Barcia needs to gain control of the series as it enters the homestretch. Barcia has a great record at Southwick, (check out this weeks Going for the W for proof) but he did DNF a moto with bike problems on a 450 last year. So, conversely, if Barcia has a bad moto, Baggett could leave The ‘Wick with a big points lead with only three races to go. And if they both have problems, Tomac could come roaring back into contention! Clearly, this weekend could prove to be a pivotal round in the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.
MXoN Matters
Given the closeness to the MXoN, the performances of the top racers are always highly scrutinized this time of year, but with the MXoN being held at a sand track this time around, you can bet that extra attention will be paid to potential members of Team USA at Southwick, the American circuit’s only sand track. Scuttlebutt seems to put a team of Baggett (on a 250) and Ryan Dungey and Barcia (on 450s) as the front running team, but making matters even more interesting is the possible return of Ryan Villopoto, who despite missing the Nationals with a knee injury, could still take a spot on Team USA if he decided he was capable of doing so (but he'd have to get a few Nationals under his belt at the end of the season as proof he's ready to go). Barcia's previous results at Southwick stand as one of the main reasons he's being considered for this year's MXoN in sandy Belgium--so a lot of people will be watching him closely this weekend.
Baggett looks to maintain his points lead at Southwick.
Simon Cudby photo
The Local Route
Every venue has a favorite son, and at Southwick, it’s John Dowd. The popular veteran has been racing at the pro level for over two decades and is still capable of pulling down impressive results--especially at Southwick! He was eighth overall last year, and was third overall in 2009, although he came close to winning the whole thing that day! In addition to racing for the hometown crowd, Dowd will also be attempting to earn the fifteen points he needs to retain National number 16 for another year. No matter how he does, you know there will be plenty of fans lining the fences and cheering as Dowd blasts around Southwick for yet another year.
Down to the Wire
As tight as the points are in the 250 Class right now, the situation in the WMX is even tighter. With just four motos remaining, Jessica Patterson leads Tarah Gieger by two points and Ashley Fiolek by eleven. Southwick is Patterson’s favorite track, but she’ll also be racing with a surgically repaired hand that she broke right before RedBud. She’ll also have to deal with Gieger, who his having one of her best years ever, as well as a red-hot Fiolek, who has won the last four motos. Will any of the girls come out of Southwick with a distinct advantage, or will the already tight points battle somehow get even closer?
Debut Redux
Canadian Cole Thompson was set to make his 250 Class debut with the Star-Valli Rockstar Yamaha team at Washougal, but a vicious crash early in the first moto took him out of action before he was able to show what he could do. We know Thompson is fast--he’s had some top-ten finishes in the 450 Class earlier this year--but we’re still waiting to see how he’ll do against the likes of Baggett, Barcia, Tomac, Ken Roczen, Marvin Musquin, Blake Wharton and more in what has to be one of the most intense seasons of 250 racing in years. Jumping up to a new team and class mid-season is a big risk, as these final races will serve as a high-pressure audition on Thompson's potential. How will he do?
New England Rippas
You won’t find another track on the circuit that provides the locals an opportunity to shine like Southwick. The NESC (Southwick's local sanctioning group) produces top talent from the Northeast every year, and these boys know how to rip in the sand. Last year’s Cinderella story, Mike Sotille, sent shockwaves through the pits after setting the fastest qualifying time in the 450 Class, and his boys from the Mass (Massachusetts) will be back in full force this year hoping to capture glory once again.
Eleven 10 Shakeup
As the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship returns to the site of Eleven10 Mods’ historic podium appearance in 2011, the team has undergone an overhaul. Phil Nicoletti and the team parted ways during the break—Nicoletti is reportedly riding a privateer 450 at Southwick—and reigning East Region Lites Areancross Champion, Mike McDade, has been signed for the last four Nationals to compete in the 250 Class alongside holdover Alex Martin. Martin led laps and ended up with a top-three finish here last year. Can he do it again?
The Other Points Battle
While headlines at Southwick will surround the 250 and WMX Championship chases, another battle to watch down the stretch is the clash between Lucas Oil/Troy Lee Designs Honda teammates Jessy Nelson and Travis Baker and MotoConcepts’ Jake Canada for top ten in points. Nelson and Baker currently hold the ninth and tenth spots, respectively, with Canada just twelve points back of Nelson and two back of Baker. Can Canada push his way inside the top ten at Southwick or will the TLD duo hold serve?
Welcome to the Big Leagues
Hot-shot amateur prospect Zach Bell, fresh off his Horizon Award winning performance at Loretta Lynn’s, will make his highly anticipated professional debut this weekend at Southwick. Bell, who grew up riding in the sand, is expected to make noise in the 250 Class on his GEICO Honda (believe it or not, there's a chance you will see FIVE GEICO Honda's at the front of the pack this weekend). Another top prospect ready to hit the pro ranks, also in the 250 Class, is Star-Valli Rockstar Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin. After missing Loretta’s with a shoulder injury, initial reports are that Martin, younger brother of Eleven10 Mods’ Alex Martin, will line up at Southwick. (UPDATED: Jeremy Martin has been ruled OUT for Southwick) Also making his pro debut will be Minnesota’s Jesse Wentland, who won Open Pro Sport title at Loretta’s. Wentland is scheduled to race the 450 Class.
Boys in Blue Back in Action
Kyle Regal's rough season with JGR/Toyota Yamaha is over--he and the team parted ways at Washougal. But we hear he'll be in action on a privateer YZ450F to try to re-prove himself. Meanwhile, Davi Millsaps will be back to carry the blue flag (for Yamaha, not lappers!) this weekend after going MIA with an ankle injury before RedBud. Also, after missing the last two rounds due to a back injury suffered at RedBud, Star-Valli Rockstar Yamaha’s Nico Izzi will return to action at Southwick. Izzi has been a revelation for the injury riddled Star-Valli team and is hoping to pick up the pace he showed early in the season. Ironically, Izzi and Millsaps will be teammates next year--but on the Rockstar Suzuki team. In their waning days on Yamahas, will Izzi and Millsaps find their sparkling early-season form?
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I had a feeling when the JGR truck pulled out of Washougal before (!) moto 2 that it was the end of the road for Regal. What happened there? Anybody know?
@Jake511,, Yeah, the Yamaha 450 claims another rider.. JS gone, Regal gone, Izz and Millsaps gone after the year is up..
Doesnt seem like the JGR bikes are that great and I would doubt Regal would be on a Yamaha. He looked alot better on his Honda.
They have been mentions that Regal doesnt have his head in the game? He hurt his back? He likes women too much? (()) *
I wish regal always rode his privateer honda. He was doing so good.
It seems like months since the last moto.
@TheChosen1 You are right, not every story has to be positive, but we're not withholding info either. Many times the stories you might think would be good just don't exist. I'm not sure what you mean about the truth behind the TV schedule, and as far as Roczen is concerned, there isn't a big story there. Nothing is wrong with him, he's doing great. Tomac, Barcia and Baggett are just doing better. An in-depth interview with him about his first National season in the U.S. would be great, but it wouldn't make sense to run a story like that while the season is still going.
The Pala idea is a good one, I myself would like to know a bit more about it. If there's enough interesting info there, I'm sure someone will tell that story sooner or later.
Both second motos are on FUEL at 9 am central time on Sunday and again at 6pm.
Things to Watch: Southwick, #11 - BillC!
I'll be hangin' over the fences screaming for #16! Hopefully, the additional sales of $200 and $125 "VIP" tickets won't steal yet more good spectator areas for the regular folk. That seems to be the direction....
@Tailwhip - Are you sure it's not a repeat of the first motos? Hopefully not. Thanks for the heads-up.
@TheChosen1 - I assume your reference to "truth behind the tv schedule" is yet another assumption that somehow the big networks are chomping at the bit to broadcast live motocross. Some here need a reality check and should try to grasp the fact that mx fans are a SMALL minority in the world of sports viewership. MX Sports is trying to grow the sport; you have to believe they didn't just pick the current package willy-nilly. Motocross vying for air time with MLB, NFL, NBA, NASCAR, golf, and more, ain't never gonna happen!
You be in the long black Fox rain coat sef?? I might streek across the track so YES #11 BillC LOL
"the additional sales of $200 and $125 "VIP" tickets won't steal yet more good spectator areas for the regular folk. "
.Funny you say that. A few years back when they started with the big tents with food and TV"s to watch the race one of my buddys said "thats it i am done with this" LOL
Chosen1:I'm not sure about the TV deal but, otherwise, I agree with you.
Aaron Hansel: I appreciate what you're saying and you do a good job but I think all Motocross fans feel their is a lot more going on with JGR than we hear about from the media. Especially, but not limited to, the James Stewart debacle. You didn't address that?
I'm hoping I won't be wearing the raincoat too much, BillC. I'll have it ready, though. I'll probably have a black 2011 MXdN t-shirt on, carrying my little blue and white cooler. If I see you streaking, I'm turning away quickly!
Jesse Wentland top ten!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The only problem I see with JGR is I think they honeslty thought they could just show up in the sport of motocross and supercross with a buttload of money, buy their star power, buy some factory support, bring in another big sponsor to buy everything else for them... and just start winning from the get go because, afterall, runnign a successful motocross team can't possibly be as hard as, say, a nascar team .. or a football team..
FAIL
When they;ve been around the sport a few more years and start learning a thing or two, that's when you'll see a successful JGR rider.
Hey PW29 - You mention that Regal likes women too much...is that why I'm not any faster than I am?
Shame Herlings isn't riding.........he would show them all how to ride the shallow sand lol!
I've noticed the more that I like women, the slower I get too. I think liking older women makes me slower too. When I was young and liked younger women, I wasn't quite as slow as I am now. I might need a young girlfriend to test the theory.
YOU GOT THE SHIRT SEF154??? I got screwed and did not get one, but I get to watch this years race for free. They said they ran out of shirts.
PS you will never be able to look away fast enough!!! LOL
I ordered ahead of time. Wasn't going to miss it. As for your performance, THAT I could miss!
Only mentioned it because that is what I heard.
Outlaw do you ride MX as an occupation? If you don't, does (()) interfere with how you perform at work? Might help you perform. Unless you are in the lime light, it might be a little harder to get a piece. However, I'm sure if you brought a stray to the track it might help you ride over your head, maybe even make you faster?
Rained hard here this afternoon. Shouldnt be a factor tomorrow. Go Barcia!
Jim in southwick
I hear it rained crazy at the wick! Peeeererfect track conditions for Bam Bam and Dowd!
I am a fan of the top 5 in the lights- hard to choose- but I think K-Roc might have something in the sand for Barcia and Baggett! Well? I hope so. Either way- gonna be great racing!
I would love to see Wharton in the MXoN!
I would love to see Whaton on a podium at a national
Team Puerto Rico maybe. US guys have gone that route
I expect to see Kenny Roczen make a big statement at the Wick. As some of you know, he popped over to Germany last week where he competed in the ADAC Masters series in Gaildorf on a 450 KTM. He really has matured in the short time he´s been away, and he won both motos by nearly 30 seconds from Max Nagl and Xavier Boog. he was silky smooth, not something he was known for when riding the 250´s. Also, he´s a top man in the heavy stuff, so I think Barcia, Baggett and Tomac had better bring their A game to Southwick if they want to take the win.
Go Kenny.
BillC Streaking the Wick! That better be on T V, and we shouldn't have to wait until Tues. to see it! lol Euro Mike! Where have you been hiding? Do you notice that we all like K-Roc and Marvelous Marvin? Seems that many of us would like to see them get a win. This is where you need to step up and admit we aren't the US only fans you made us out to be, a year ago or so. Come on, you can do it. The three you mentioned will have thier A-game on, and we shall see what happens. Good to see you are still following this series. To bad our guys are just plain better and kickin' butt! lol-jk
I donor know who BILLC is- but it would be epic to see the "Streakster" blaze across the starting line right as the 30 second board goes up!!!! Guaranteed live exposure! (no pun intended)
He should do it in protest for not being able to watch the 2nd motos till Tuesday-
Gonna be goooooooood race in the 2-5-0s!!!!
Hey EuroMike...FAIL!!!! LOL
. When are you going to stop making excuese and just say Hey I guess these guy are just REAL FAST!!!.
. OK the MXD team is RD, BB and JB lets kick but guys!!
.Sorry guys I kept my cloths on!!
.Good day Bucky!! And Dowd got the points by the skin of his teeth so we will see him with the #16 next year.
And like Bucky said we like Roczen and wish him well. It's people like you that make people dislike him because you act like a fool mike and Never give the US guys credite. You make excuses for him because it's his first year here but if u can lead a moto for over 30 mins the tracks are not the problem the other guys are just a little better.