Soft Dirt
Seattle offers some of the most unique dirt of the year. Even when it doesn’t rain on race weekend (see: never), it still has a soft texture that ruts up and becomes extremely treacherous after a few laps. That has generated many surprise results, such as Broc Tickle’s first 250 win in 2010, Tommy Hahn’s second place finish in the 450s that same year, and Andrew Short’s first victory last year. Will we see more unusual results due to the dirt again in 2013? - Jason Thomas
Know Your Role
By this time of year, most riders have found their typical spot in the pecking order. Whether they realize it or not, they usually end up battling with the same riders and finishing in the same general position each week. It’s difficult to not become complacent after four months of racing but these last few weeks are a great time to get motivated and capitalize on other riders’ shifting focus (outdoors). Can anyone break out of their mold and raise some eyebrows? - Jason Thomas
Payback
With Dungey’s exciting win in front of his devoted Minnesota faithful, Ryan Villopoto surely wants to return the favor this weekend. Sure, he has the points championship to consider but if he has a chance to win, I think his motivation will be slightly higher to stand on the top of the box in Seattle. RV is one of the most competitive people I have ever encountered, I can assure you that last weekend’s loss didn’t sit well and he has replayed those last few laps thousands of times in his mind this week. After winning the five previous races, he'll relish the chance to reprove why he has the red plate on Saturday. - Jason Thomas
RV returns home looking for another win.
Simon Cudby photo
Hill's Home, Too
Lots of talk about Ryan Villopoto's homecoming, but for the first time since 2010, Josh Hill is ready to suit up for his home supercross. Hill is surging at the right time, too, with his popular heat race win last week in Minneapolis, and ever-improving starts and speed. Can Hill shake things up at the front of the pack this weekend? - Jason Weigandt
Reed's Progress
After undergoing minor knee surgery only weeks ago, Chad Reed returned to action last week in Minneapolis. Racing was a question mark even during the day on Saturday, but just an hour or two before the night show began, he finally decided to give it a go. After finishing a strong second in his heat, he was mired back in the pack early in the main event but managed to salvage a fifth at the end of 20 laps. Having another week to rehab and heal, can he progress up to the podium battle? With the most podiums of any rider in history, it’s hard to bet against it. - Jason Thomas
Millsaps’ Favorite
Davi Millsaps has a history of being very fast in the ruts and mess of Seattle. Whether it’s his long legs or purely technique, he seems to excel when conditions deteriorate. Now that he has dropped to third in the points chase, this would be a great chance to regain that runner up spot from Ryan Dungey. Barring a disaster from RV1, he has lost touch with the red plate, but finishing second in the championship for the second-straight year has to be motivating for the #18. Most pointed to rampant injuries as to why he held this last year but if he can do it again, no one will say a word. In easily his most impressive season of his career, finishing strong will keep his critics silent. - Jason Thomas
Can Millsaps make a run at the top spot in Seattle?
Cudby photo
Regal's Back
It's been a while since we've last seen Kyle Regal. Last season wasn't what he had hoped, but he'll make his 2013 debut in Seattle on Saturday. Regal has been out all of supercross, but is beginning preparations for a full run at the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. With a loaded field already firing on all cylinders, and Regal known more for his outdoor prowess, it's a safe bet he's probably looking to just put the bike into the main event, first. - Chase Stallo
Break's Over
The Western Regional 250SX break will end this weekend at CenturyLink Field. The situation out west, as well as the brewing rivalry between Ken Roczen and Eli Tomac, picks up where it left off, with Tomac needing to beat Roczen big in order to erase the 17-point deficit he currently faces. Tomac isn't what we'd we call a dirty rider, but he's not scared to get aggressive if the situation calls for it either. Remember when he and Dean Wilson got together in Seattle last year? With a substantial lead, Roczen is in a different situation than Wilson was last year, but you know he doesn't want to just roll over and back into the title, either. How will this play out on Saturday? - Aaron Hansel
Roczen holds a 17-point over Tomac heading into Seattle.
Cudby photo
Sipes Returns
If you're looking for someone to throw a wrench in 250SX West Region title chase, look no further than Rockstar Energy Racing's Ryan Sipes. The two-time Lites SX winner returns from a hairline fracture in his wrist suffered at A2. Eli Tomac needs some riders stuffed between himself and Ken Roczen if he has any chance at repeating as 250SX West Region champion. Will Sipes help Tomac's case in Seattle? - Chase Stallo
The Weather
When it comes to the weather for the Seattle Supercross, one thing you can count on is that there is usually a threat of rain. And when the rain doesn't fall, the track still isn't guaranteed to hold up like it would at a dry race. The forecast for the weekend is calling for a 60 percent chance of precipitation on Friday and a 30 percent chance on Saturday. With both championships still in play, a mud race has the potential to really shake things up. - Aaron Hansel
