For 2015, Racer X has partnered with MotoDynasty to bring you Fantasy Supercross. We’ll be offering cool weekly and yearly prizes; dynasty play; private leagues that just you and you’re buddies can play in; weekly fantasy preview and reviews; and weekly podcasts all focused on fantasy. This may be the first time many of you have played, so we’ve been together some notes on how to play (you can read more here) and also a 450SX preview.
How to Play:
1.) Sign-Up: This will be the easiest decision you’ve made all week—go to motodynasty.racerxonline.com to sign up.
2.) Play Options: Once you’ve signed up, there are a couple different ways you can play. If you think you’re a fantasy God, you’ll want to challenge thousands of others for the season and weekly prizes. Yes, there is a fee to be eligible to win prizes. Don’t feel like ponying up a few bucks? Don’t worry, you can play for FREE. There are two options: 1.) Test your skills against the field in Dynasty Play. (Note: You’re not eligible for yearly or weekly prizes playing for free.) 2). Create or join a private league with your buddies, co-workers, families, the dude at the local watering hole—whoever. You can talk smack on your way to the league title.
3.) Now that you’ve chosen which option you wish to play, the hard part is here—picking riders. (You can choose to participate in just 450SX, 250SX, or both.) You’ll need to pay attention to this next part. You do not have to fill all twenty-two positions on your race card. You can play just one racer, seven, four, or twenty. It doesn’t matter. If you’re playing competitively, obviously you will want to score the highest amount of points possible, so playing all twenty-two spots is the way to go. But, if for some reason you don’t feel comfortable picking the last guy in the main, you can just play your favorite races. You could also make a gentleman's agreement in your own private leagues to only pick a set number of riders. If you're gentlemen, of course.
4.) Practice plays a big role in your selection process, which is why you have until 7:30 p.m. local race time to get your picks in.
Scoring:
MotoDynasty scoring is based solely on accuracy. When making selections, you are placing your picks in the order you think they’ll finish the main event. Example: Eli Tomac kills qualifying, and you think he’s going to go macro on the field, so you’ll want to pick him in the top spot. For you first timers, scoring can be tricky, so we’ll break it down.
1.) All riders (1-22) hold a value in this league. With that said, you’ll receive more points for choosing first place correctly (50 points) than getting twenty-second correct (25 points). But, making the correct choices for riders 11-22 hold a lot of value and will be critical for gaining maximum points.
2.) But, what if I pick Ken Roczen to win and he get’s fifth? Do I lose a ton of points? No. You never “lose” points in MotoDynasty. MotoDynasty works on what is called a Scoring Matrix. We won’t bore you with details (you can check out the table below for more), just know that for every position a rider finishes greater or less than your original pick, your points value decreases. Let’s use the earlier example. You picked Ken Roczen to win. He didn’t. He finished fifth. So, instead of receiving the maximum 50 points, you will only receive 17. But, what if Roczen crashes and finishes twenty-first? You will only receive 1 point. (Check out the matrix below for how it all breaks down.)
3.) Okay, you say I won’t lose points, but what if I pick rider X to make the main and he doesn’t, what happens then? This is pretty simple: You still will not lose points, but you’ll receive a score of zero.
(Note: Bold numbers equal number of points you receive for correctly guessing riders finishing position.)
Place | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | |
1 | 50 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
2 | 22 | 48 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
3 | 20 | 22 | 46 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | |
4 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 44 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | |
5 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 42 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | |
6 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 41 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | |
7 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 40 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | |
8 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 39 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | |
9 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 38 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | |
10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 37 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | |
11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 36 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | |
12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 35 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | |
13 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 34 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | |
14 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 33 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | |
15 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 32 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | |
16 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 31 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | |
17 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 30 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | |
18 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 29 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | |
19 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 28 | 22 | 20 | 18 | |
20 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 27 | 22 | 20 | |
21 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 26 | 22 | |
22 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 25 |
Bonus Scoring:
Now that you’ve made your picks, you have the option of making bonus selections. If you’re wanting to make up ground, are feeling lucky, or just have a hot hand, this is for you. There are three options: Pole Positions, Heat Winner, and/or Main Event Holeshot winner. Be careful, though, while you can gain ground, you actually can lose points in bonus scoring.
Pole Position
- Is awarded to the fastest qualifier in timed practice
- If you select the winner, you will gain 5 points.
- If you select a racer that didn’t win, you lose 5 points.
Heat Winner
- You’ll select one racer you think will win the heat race he is racing in—regardless of if the racer is racing heat 1 or 2.
- If you select the winner, you will gain 15 points.
- If you select a racer that didn’t win, you lose 15 points.
Main Event Holeshot
- You choose the racer you think will pull the holeshot in the main event.
- If you’re rider pull the holeshot, you will gain 20 points.
- If you’re rider doesn’t pull the holeshot, you lost 20 points.
450SX Preview:
Now that you know how to play, let’s dive into whom you should pick and where they may end up finishing. We’ve taken results from the previous four years (2011-14) at Anaheim 1 to try and find out where, based on previous performances, you may want to plug certain riders in.
(Ed. Note: Sorry, no 250SX preview this week, as we are still not 100 percent sure on who is racing which region. Seriously. Thanks to the teams for not being up front about this. We’ll dive more into the 250 class next week.)
(Stats by: Troy Bendgen)
Ryan Dungey | Red Bull KTM | 2014 A1 Finish: 2nd | Avg A1 Finish: 2.5
Solid and consistent; Dungey should be placed high in your rankings.
Ken Roczen | RCH Suzuki | 2014 A1 Finish: 1st | Avg A1 Finish: 1
Not much of a sample size to draw from Roczen, but he did win here a year ago as a rookie. Should be a top-five lock.
Justin Barcia | AutoTrader Toyota Yamaha | 2014 A1 Finish: 5th | Avg A1 Finish: 6
This could be a tricky pick. Barcia hasn’t lit the opener on fire in his previous two years, so be careful where you place him.
Andrew Short | BTO Sports KTM | 2014 A1 Finish: 9th | Avg A1 Finish: 8
Short will be a top-ten lock every weekend. Don’t expect Anaheim to be any different.
Justin Brayton | BTO Sports KTM | 2014 A1 Finish: 6th | Avg A1 Finish: 8.75
Another guy that you should pencil inside the top-ten every weekend.
Josh Hill | Valli Yamaha | 2014 A1 Finish: 18th | Avg A1 Finish: 18
Keep in mind Hill’s deal came together pretty late, and he hasn’t exactly had much time on the Yamaha.
Broc Tickle | RCH Suzuki | 2014 A1 Finish: 8th | Avg A1 Finish: 12.6
This is Tickle’s first race since Toronto of last year, but he is returning to a familiar team and brand. Be cautious until he gets back into race mode.
Mike Alessi | SmarTop MotoConcepts Racing | 2014 A1 Finish: 12th | Avg A1 Finish: 13.75
While you may not slot Mike in your top-ten picks, he should be considered for Holeshot Winner bonus play.
Wil Hahn | Monster Energy Kawasaki | 2014 A1 Finish: 11th | Avg A1 Finish: 11
Hahn is also returning from injuries that cost him most of 2014. He’s also on a new brand. Proceed with caution.
Weston Peick | AutoTrader Toyota Yamaha | 2014 A1 Finish: 16th | Avg A1 Finish: 15
This is where you could make your money. Peick finally has factory support and is set on keeping it. Top-ten is probably a safe play.
Eli Tomac | GEICO Honda | 2014 A1 Finish: DNQ | Avg A1 Finish: N/A
Just throw out last year. That was an aberration. Tomac has a ton of momentum (see Europe) entering the season and should be top-five on your ballot.
Chad Reed | Discount Tire TwoTwo Motorsports | 2014 A1 Finish: 3rd | Avg A1 Finish: 3.5
Are you seriously doubting Reed? Don’t. Reed shines at Anaheim and he feels like an underdog this year, which has lit a fire under him.
Nick Wey | Mafia Moto Crew Racing | 2014 A1 Finish: DNQ | Avg A1 Finish: 12
The wily veteran is back for another year. Wey will be a good main event pick and should slot in the 12-20 range.
Josh Grant | Discount Tire TwoTwo Motorsports | 2014 A1 Finish: 7th | Avg A1 Finish: 11.5
Grant tends to perform well at the opener (remember, he won here in 2009). He could be a dark horse top-ten pick.
Trey Canard | American Honda | 2014 A1 Finish: N/A | Avg A1 Finish: 3
Arguably the hottest rider entering the season. Don’t leave him out of your top-five.
Davi Millsaps | Monster Energy Kawasaki| 2014 A1 Finish: N/A | Avg A1 Finish: 12
Yeah, he’s missed a year, but you saw what he did at the Monster Cup. And don’t forget, he won here last time he raced.
Brett Metcalfe | DirtCandyGraphics/PRBC.com| 2014 A1 Finish: N/A | Avg A1 Finish: 9.5
Metcalfe is back on the circuit for the first time since 2012. You may want to give him a few races before doing anything drastic.
Jake Weimer | Monster Energy Team Tedder | 2014 A1 Finish: 10th | Avg A1 Finish: 6.6
Can Weimer turn it around in 2015? Let’s wait until after Anaheim before making any bold predictions.
Dean Wilson | Red Bull KTM | 2014 A1 Finish: Raced 250 Class | Avg A1 Finish: N/A
We can work with speed.
Jason Anderson | Rockstar Energy Racing Husqvarna | 2014 A1 Finish: N/A | Avg A1 Finish: N/A
If the Monster Cup is an indication, you may want to slot him higher than you think.
Blake Baggett | Yoshimura Suzuki | 2014 A1 Finish: N/A | Avg A1 Finish: N/A
Let’s play the wait-and-see game on Baggett.
Cole Seely | American Honda | 2014 A1 Finish: Raced 250 Class | Avg A1 Finish: N/A
Seely has the most experience of any rookie, which could come into play Saturday.
Jimmy Albertson | Arma Energy/MotoSport.com Yamaha | 2014 A1 Finish: 19th | Avg A1 Finish: 18th
Judging by his average finish, you may want to slot Top Jimmy around the 15-20 range.
Kyle Chisholm | Privateer | 2014 A1 Finish: N/A | Avg A1 Finish: 12.6
Chisholm failed to make the main a season ago, but he’s typically pretty good at the opener.
(Chisholm will miss A1 due to truck issues.)
Others to Watch:
Nick Schmidt | Team 3BR | 2014 A1 Finish: 14th | Avg A1 Finish: 14th
Cody Gilmore | Privateer | 2014 A1 Finish: N/A| Avg A1 Finish: N/A
Ronnie Stewart | DirtCandyGraphics/PRBC.com | 2014 A1 Finish: DNQ | Avg A1 Finish: N/A
Ben LaMay | CycleTrader.com/Rock River Yamaha | 2014 A1 Finish: N/A | Avg A1 Finish: N/A
Kyle Partridge | Rocky Mountain ATV/MC | 2014 A1 Finish: 15th | Avg A1 Finish: 15th
Killy Rusk | Blue Buffalo/Slater Skins Yamaha | 2014 A1 Finish: N/A | Avg A1 Finish: N/A
Justin Sipes | Privateer | 2014 A1 Finish: N/A | Avg A1 Finish: N/A
Tevin Tapia | Team 3BR | 2014 A1 Finish: N/A | Avg A1 Finish: N/A
Tony Archer | Traders Racing Kawasaki | 2014 A1 Finish: N/A | Avg A1 Finish: N/A
Adam Enticknap | Privateer | 2014 A1 Finish: N/A | Avg A1 Finish: N/A
Bracken Hall | Rocky Mountain ATV/MC | 2014 A1 Finish: N/A | Avg A1 Finish: N/A
Preston Mull | Privateer | 2014 A1 Finish: N/A | Avg A1 Finish: N/A
Daniel Meynet | Privateer | 2014 A1 Finish: N/A | Avg A1 Finish: N/A
Augie Lieber | Privateer | 2014 A1 Finish: N/A | Avg A1 Finish: N/A
JT’s Advice:
Our resident fantasy expert, Jason Thomas, has some advice for all you first-timers. If you want to hear more from JT on fantasy, check out the podcast with he and Steve Matthes.
Fantasy picks are all about balancing risk versus reward. You simply cannot win fantasy championships by picking the same guys over and over all season. My advice? Look for the calculated gamble. The rider who is almost a guarantee to make the main event but has a ton of upside. Potential upside is the priority when making a pick. Always do your homework and know who's trending up and who's trending down, and how to capitalize on each. My pick for this weekend would be Michael Lieb for a much better than expected finish.
Prizes:
As we mentioned above, we will be giving away weekly, and yearly prizes. Scott is giving away a Genius 750 mountain bike for this season’s overall winner of the 450 class, and a ZR One road bike to the 250 class winner. This week, Scott and Racer X have teamed up for some cool weekly swag. (Note: Weekly prizes will be different every week. Stay tuned.)
450
1st: Scott Hustle MX Goggle
2nd: Racer X Illustrated online subcription, Racer X pint glass, Racer X t-shirt, cover poster
3rd: Racer X hat, cover poster, Racer X cooler sleeve
250
1st: Scott Hustle MX Goggle
2nd: Racer X Illustrated online subcription, Racer X pint glass, Racer X t-shirt, cover poster
3rd: Racer X hat, cover poster, Racer X cooler sleeve