By Aaron Hansel, Chase Stallo, and Jason Weigandt
Good News and Bad
The good news for Davi Millsaps is the illness that’s been affecting him for months is now apparently in his rearview, although his fitness probably still isn’t back where it needs to be. The bad news is that the black cloud continued to hover over him in San Diego—the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider crashed twice and logged an uncharacteristic twentieth-place. Expect Millsaps to have a better night in Arlington. – Hansel
JT’s Kicks
If you’re a fan of the Racer X podcasts then you probably heard Jason Thomas joking that he’d walk home from the race if Blake Baggett lands on the podium this year (excluding Daytona, where the former 250 National Motocross Champion could really do some damage). Not that Baggett isn’t fast, but the sheer depth of the field makes getting a podium a tall order to fill, especially for a rookie with no 450SX experience. This was just a funny little thing, but it’s turning serious. Baggett’s been improving incredibly fast this year, and in San Diego he overcame a terrible start to work up to fifth before crashing and salvaging seventh, despite a bent shift lever restricting him to first gear. It wasn’t a podium finish, but it should be enough to prompt JT to include a nice pair of walking shoes when he packs for Arlington, the site of Baggett’s first 250SX win. – Hansel
The Red Riders
Things have been going well over at the Honda truck this year. In six races the three 450 pilots stationed there are responsible for three wins and four additional podiums. Morale is up and confidence is high too—after San Diego Cole Seely told Racer X reporter Jason Weigandt that the thought of a Honda podium sweep had crossed their minds before the main event. It didn’t pan out that way, but with Trey Canard and Eli Tomac already packing wins, along with Seely’s second-place at A3, it’s certainly not an unrealistic notion. Let’s see if the trio can paint Arlington red this weekend. – Hansel
Freaky Fast
Ken Roczen started the year out with a bang, winning two of the first three and building a significant points lead before the case from hell led to his temporary demise in Oakland. After that he looked slightly off his normal, freaky fast pace, but in San Diego he looked to be back on point—he was the day’s fastest qualifier and was battling for the lead with Trey Canard before getting caught up with a lapper. He didn’t win, but he certainly had the pace. We’ll see if that translates into another trip to the winner’s circle this weekend. – Hansel
Messed With in Texas
Does Texas hate Chad Reed, or does Chad Reed hate Texas?. In 2012 and 2014, he was building a strong case for a championship until big crashes and catastrophic injuries kicked in right around this time. He tore his ACL at Dallas in 2012, and last year tried gutting the race out with a broken shoulder, but had to call it a season. And don’t forget 2011, when he was leading the standings only to get plowed in the whoops by James Stewart.Just getting through this one healthy will be a victory in itself. – Jason Weigandt
Podium Revisit
Six consecutive top-tens to begin a 450SX career are nothing to kick rocks over. Especially considering you’re fifth in points and ahead of all other rookies. But, since a second at the opener, Jason Anderson has failed to crack the top five. “I wouldn't say I'm happy with the way I rode but it was better than last weekend and all we can do is progress forward until we are on top," he said in a team statement following San Diego. His 450SX resume now reads 2-6-7-10-9-10. If you’re Anderson, though, your goals probably reach higher than tenth. Something else to consider: Anderson hasn’t ridden the East Coast since his rookie year in 2011. Can he get back into the top five this weekend on unfamiliar ground? – Stallo
Will Golden Shine?
This weekend, Vicki Golden will make her much-hyped attempt to be the first female to qualify for a AMA Supercross main event. The hype is around her, not from her, as Vicki is doing her best to treat this, and be treated, like any other race and any other racer. Still, the HRT Suzuki rider will have a lot of eyes on her in practice as she attempts to make the 40-man, er, 40 rider, field, and then make the 250SX main. Golden has three X Games gold medals in women’s racing, and was far and way the most comfortable female on those indoor tracks. She’s also done some time in AMSOIL Arenacross. Of course, supercross is the toughest of all. Will she make it? You’ll be talking about it, either way. – Weigandt
Getting to the Main
It’s hard to fathom that the defending 250MX National Champion has yet to qualify for a season opener. On the surface, Jeremy Martin’s two years in Monster Energy Supercross look like busts. That’s only if you consider his missed main events (three). In his rookie year (2013), after missing Dallas Martin went 5-5-3-20-4 before injuring his wrist. Last year the bleeding carried over to Indy after missing the first two mains, but he went 19-6-8-4-20-2-1 down the stretch. If he wants to contend for a title this year, Martin must shake his first rounds yips. Will it happen this weekend? – Stallo
The Defender
“Well, I am as healthy as you can be in this sport. Every one has issues they are dealing with, so as long as I’m on the gate I am healthy,” defending 250SX East Region Champion Justin Bogle told Racer X recently. Bogle underwent shoulder surgery this off-season to repair a previous injury. He entered late season coming off surgery, and responded with a title. How will he do this year? – Stallo
Marvin
Is back! After missing the entire 2014 Monster Energy Supercross season with a torn ACL, Marvin Musquin returns this weekend. When we last saw Marvin, he was chasing down Wil Hahn for the East Region title. Although he ultimately lost out, he did capture four wins and seven podiums in the process. He enters 2015 a heavy favorite—a $100 favorite according to JT—along with Bogle, Davalos, and others. Will he respond with a win at the opener? – Stallo
