These two straightaways are a great example of how riders will need to plan ahead, picking a rhythm option in the first section that will ultimately put them in the right rhythm in the second lane. This is really the only section of the track that riders will have to analyze and try different options.

The finish line jump is next, coming in the middle of the lap. A 90-degree left leads to a short straight and a hard corner back to the left. There is a huge double that spans the entire start straight up next, similar looking to Anaheim 1’s double exiting the tunnel. Watch for the 250 riders to really struggle here and a big opportunity for block passing in the corner before. To jump the double, riders will be forced to leave the inside open. Block passes in this section are very frustrating to the lead rider as everyone loses multiple seconds overall. It’s effective if needed for a qualifying spot but a negative move big picture.

After landing from the double, riders will rail around a 90-degree right and over the only standard supercross triple. This should be fairly easy to jump as long as the corner ruts don’t get rough or deep. Upon landing, there are four small jumps that will either be a double/double or triple/single into the next bowl berm. The first of two whoops section comes out of the corner, giving riders a real passing opportunity. With these two whoops sections almost back-to-back, riders will be looking to make a move here every lap. East Rutherford whoops are very prone to deterioration, as the soft, spring dirt won’t hold up all day. The usual suspects of Cooper Webb and Marvin Musquin will find a way to jump, hop, and skip through these by main event time. The second set will be interesting because most riders will opt to stay tight to the inside corner before and guard against any aggressor. An inside rut will form and a rider like Musquin will benefit from this slow entry. He can triple or wheel tap four, gaining time on anyone trying to slowly blitz their way through.

The two rhythm sections back to back and the two whoop sections will be the make or break areas on this track. There will be passing opportunities and I expect some aggressive riding at the penultimate round. This round has seen high drama in recent years with last year’s Musquin/Tomac incident, Tomac’s crash in 2017, Musquin pulling over in 2017, Savatgy’s meltdown, Ronnie Stewart riding backwards, Deven Raper smashing Tyler Enticknap, etc. Maybe 2019 is boring but history says buckle up for this weekend of the calendar.

Questions I Want Answered

How big of a points cushion will Webb cruise into the desert with?

Will Austin Forkner be able to put up a fight?

Will East Rutherford bring anything close to the entertainment that the 2017 round brought?

Which Marty Davalos will show up?

Who’s Hot

Eli Tomac has won two races in a row and could realistically win out if he continues on with his momentum. For the third year in a row, though, it could be too little, too late.

Cooper Webb has a nice points lead and is doing a great job of managing this series. His Denver performance was impressive.

Justin Bogle has found his form, steadily improving in recent weeks. His fourth place at Denver was very uplifting as the series winds down.

Who’s Not

Forkner has a herculean task at hand. He needs to beat Justin Cooper and Chase Sexton in a two-race series, meanwhile managing a serious knee injury that most wondered if would allow him to ride at all.

A month ago, Marvin Musquin was riding a wave of momentum and many pointed to him as the biggest threat to Cooper Webb’s first 450 title. Things have soured, though, leaving him hoping to merely be mathematically relevant going into Vegas.

Justin Barcia missed the Denver round due to mounting injuries and won’t be back until Hangtown.

Dean Wilson had a big get-off at Denver and will be on the rehab train until we take things outside.