- We all know the wildest part of the night in SLC: Jason Anderson accidentally taking out Ryan Sipes on the parade lap for the Lites main. We’ll talk to both riders this week to get the full story—as well as an update on Sipes’ condition.
- Banner night for team BTOSports.com/Butler Brothers’ MX, with all three riders, Matt Goerke, Jason Thomas and Jimmy Albertson, making the main. Unfortunately, Albertson crashed out, but Thomas took 15th and Goerke took 11th.
- Thomas has made just two main events this year, but the multi-time German SX Champion used all of his craft and cunning to make the main out of his heat race. While most riders were jumping 3-3-3 across a difficult rhythm lane, Thomas went inside through the proceeding corner and went 2-3-3-1. It clearly threw off Josh Grant, who was chasing him for the last transfer spot in the heat.
Matt Goerke lead the BTOSports.com Suzuki charge in Salt Lake City.
Simon Cudby photo
- If you’re confused on your western U.S. geography and don’t understand why Salt Lake City is considered Jake Weimer’s home race, he explained that his home town of Rupert, Idaho, is just two hours west of SLC.
- Lots of talk and speculation about who will take over Ryan Villopoto’s Monster Energy Kawasaki for the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, with much speculation on a Pro Circuit Lites rider moving over or bumping up. Broc Tickle told us he has been testing a Pro Circuit 450 for motocross “so far”, but doesn’t know what might happen. Much of this will hinge on Dean Wilson’s condition, as the PC team would surely be less willing to give up a second title contender like Tyla Rattray if they also lose Dean for the summer. We also hear 2005 Lites MX Champ Ivan Tedesco is in the mix—possibly as a 250 MX replacement for Wilson, if that’s needed.
- Andrew Short and company finally have their new title sponsor dialed in, with Chaparral. Chaparral actually ran the team that originally brought Larry Brooks and Jeremy McGrath together (and won the AMA SX Championship in 1998, 1999 and 2000) so things have come full circle. Brooks said the team started wrapping their semi on Wednesday morning and pretty much worked up until Thursday before they headed to Salt Lake City to get the look finished up.
- Trey Canard was hanging out in Salt Lake City to sign autographs and do some press for Honda Muscle Milk. He looks fine walking around, but is still a long way off from getting on a motocross track.
- Kyle Regal and Brett Metcalfe had a big crash together right before the first rhythm lane. They took 19th and 20th in the main—it’s been a tough year for both of those guys.
Andrew Short and company debuted their new title sponsor, Chaparral, at Salt Lake City.
Simon Cudby photo
- On the other end, Regal’s Dodge Motorsports/Sycuan/Hart & Huntington teammate Tyler Bowers had a good night, showing impressive speed in his heat and the main, and finishing a solid 10th.
- Kyle Chisholm is making the races but struggling big time with an arm injury. He finished 17th.
- A good night for Bobby Kiniry, who put his Valli-Star Yamaha into the top ten with a 9th place finish. Kiniry is racing the Canadian National MX Series this summer, but plans to race the U.S. races that don’t conflict—including the Hangtown opener.
- The new king of the LCQ? CV4’s Scott Champion took the Lites LCQ for the second-straight week, and also took a solid 10th in the Lites main.
- Nice work for the 5150 Energy Drink Lites team, which placed both of its riders, Chris Plouffe and Preston Tilford, into the main.
Metcalfe's struggles continued in Salt Lake City.
Simon Cudby photo
- Congrats to privateers Travis Bright, Landen Powell and Colin Jurin for making their first main events of the season. Powell lead the charge with a 12th, followed by Bright (17th) and Jurin (20th).
- Salt Lake City marked a career night for privateer Topher Ingalls. The California native scored a career-high 8th in SLC.
