Racer X - Motocross & Supercross NewsRacer X
  • All Series
  • Subscribe Now
  • Supercross
    • News
    • Schedule
    • TV Schedule
    • Results
    • Standings
    • Teams
    • Riders
    • Tracks
    • The Vault
  • Motocross
    • News
    • Schedule
    • TV Schedule
    • Results
    • Standings
    • Riders
    • Teams
    • Tracks
    • The Vault
  • SuperMotocross
    • News
    • Schedule
    • TV Schedule
    • Results
    • Standings
    • Teams
    • Riders
    • Tracks
  • MXGP
    • News
    • Schedule
    • TV Schedule
    • Results
    • Standings
    • Teams
    • Riders
    • Tracks
  • GNCC
    • News
    • Schedule
    • TV Schedule
    • Results
    • Standings
    • Riders
    • Tracks
  • Loretta Lynn’s
    • News
    • The Vault
  • More Series
    • MXoN
    • WSX
    • WMX
    • Australian SX
    • Australian MX
    • Canadian MX
    • EnduroCross
    • Straight Rhythm
  • Features
    • 10 Things
    • 30 Greatest AMA Motocrossers
    • 3 on 3
    • 250 Words
    • 450 Words
    • Arenacross Report
    • Between the Motos
    • Breakdown
    • Deals of the Week
    • GNCC Report
    • Great Battles
    • Hard Enduro Report
    • How to Watch
    • Injury Report
    • Insight
    • In the Mag, On the Web
    • Lockdown Diaries
    • Longform
    • MXGP Race Reports
    • My Favorite Loretta Lynn's Moto
    • Next
    • Next Level
    • Observations
    • On This Day in Moto
    • Open Mic
    • Podcasts
    • Photo Galleries
    • Privateer Profile
    • Race Day Feed
    • Racerhead
    • Racer X Awards
    • Racer X Films
    • Racer X Redux
    • Rapid Reaxtion
    • RX Exhaust
    • Saturday Night Live
    • Staging Area
    • The Conversation
    • The List
    • The Lives They Lived
    • The Moment
    • Things We Learned at the Ranch
    • UnPhiltered
    • Videos
    • Wake-Up Call
    • Where Are They Now
    • 50 Years of Pro Motocross
  • Multimedia
    • First Look
    • Loretta Lynn's Weege Show
    • MXoN Preview Show
    • MX Preview Shows
    • New Model Intros and Dialed-In Tests
    • Podcasts
    • Project Bike Builds
    • Save of the Day
    • SuperMotocross Preview Shows
    • SX Preview Shows
    • The Best Post-Race Show Ever
    • The Weege Preview Show
    • The Weege Show Post Race Analysis
    • Video
    • Video Vault
    • Weege Show Wednesday
    • Weekend Preview
  • Shop
    • New Releases
    • Men's
    • Women's
    • Youth
    • Accessories
    • Sales Rack
    • Stickers
  • About Us
  • The Mag
    • Digital Magazine Bookstand
    • Customer Care
    • Current Issue
    • Newsletter
    • Store Locator
    • Subscribe
    • Sell Racer X
  • One Click Sign-In

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    OR

    Sign in with your username and password

    • Sign In
  • Supercross
  • News
  • Schedule
  • TV Schedule
  • Results
  • Standings
  • Teams
  • Riders
  • Tracks
  • The Vault
  • Subscribe Now
  • Table of Contents
Results Archive
Motocross
Fox Raceway
News
450 Results
  1. Hunter Lawrence
  2. Jorge Prado
  3. Jett Lawrence
Full Results
250 Results
  1. Seth Hammaker
  2. Caden Dudney
  3. Cole Davies
Full Results
MXGP of
Germany
News
MXGP Results
  1. Lucas Coenen
  2. Andrea Adamo
  3. Ruben Fernandez
Full Results
MX2 Results
  1. Mathis Valin
  2. Sacha Coenen
  3. Camden McLellan
Full Results
GNCC
Watkins Glen International
News
Overall Race Results
  1. Grant Baylor
  2. Liam Draper
  3. Steward Baylor
Full Results
XC2 Pro Race Results
  1. Angus Riordan
  2. Jason T Tino
  3. Jhak Walker
Full Results
Motocross, WMX
Hangtown
News
450 Results
  1. Jett Lawrence
  2. Hunter Lawrence
  3. Haiden Deegan
Full Results
250 Results
  1. Levi Kitchen
  2. Julien Beaumer
  3. Seth Hammaker
Full Results
WMX Results
  1. Lachlan Turner
  2. Charli Cannon
  3. Mikayla Nielsen
Full Results
MXGP of
Latvia
News
MXGP Results
  1. Lucas Coenen
  2. Kay de Wolf
  3. Romain Febvre
Full Results
MX2 Results
  1. Sacha Coenen
  2. Camden McLellan
  3. Mathis Valin
Full Results
Upcoming
Motocross, WMX
Thunder Valley
Sat Jun 13
News
450 Entry List
  1. Cooper Webb
  2. Eli Tomac
  3. Chase Sexton
Full Entry List
250 Entry List
  1. Seth Hammaker
  2. Julien Beaumer
  3. Max Vohland
Full Entry List
WMX Entry List
  1. Lachlan Turner
  2. Charli Cannon
  3. Taylah Mccutcheon
Full Entry List
Upcoming
Motocross, WMX
High Point
Sat Jun 20
News
Upcoming
MXGP of
Italy
Sun Jun 21
News
Full Schedule
Staging Area: Salt Lake City

Staging Area: Salt Lake City

May 11, 2023, 9:45am
Jason Thomas Jason Thomas
  • Home
  • Supercross
  • Staging Area
  • Jason Thomas previews Salt Lake City track
Salt Lake City, UT Salt Lake CityMonster Energy AMA Supercross Championship

And then there was one. The final round of Monster Energy Supercross is upon us. Salt Lake City, Utah, hosts round 17 and we should have a beautiful atmosphere for it. The mountainous backdrop and amazing forecast of spring weather will send us out on a high note after a rough few weeks. Injuries have hit the series hard, sucking the suspense out of what was a heavyweight title fight. No matter, we will roll with the punches and wrap this up with a smile.

The track for SLC is always on the smaller side. With lap times typically in the low 40’s, the track takes more abuse than normal (more laps run throughout the day). The start does span the entire length of Rice-Eccles Stadium, though, giving riders room to maneuver.

The SLC track.
The SLC track.

A long left 180 brings riders alongside the home sideline and into a section somewhat similar to Denver’s sideline rhythm. The fast line should be to step over the first tabletop, then go 3-2 into the next 90 degree left.

After ripping past the mechanics’ area, there are two small doubles separated by a 180 bowl berm. Riders will ride the edge of the rear tire up to the finish line jump and immediately into tabletop-bridge jump.

Crossing the start, they will enter a flat right hand corner and set up for the whoops. There is an outside berm here that will be utilized for whoop momentum but only if the lead rider doesn’t have someone right on his rear wheel. If these whoops are blitzers, that outside berm will be critical to get right. The flat inside line will only be optimal if they turn into jumpers.

A 180 left sends riders into a short rhythm section that, on the surface, looks like it should be a step on-step off, triple, but I could also see riders stepping over the tabletop to avoid tripling from the higher jump.

A 180 right leads to a triple right out of the corner and then a standard supercross triple. That initial three from the corner will be tough at Utah altitude.

A unique, long right hand corner leads back to the start straight, only it turns before the original first corner and funnels under the bridge. That brings riders back onto lap 2.

Who’s Hot:

Brothers Lawrence swept the 250 titles thus far, their stars never shining brighter.

RJ Hampshire won the second SX of his career and has his sights firmly set on Pro Motocross.

Levi Kitchen led 16 laps in Denver. While he didn’t win, he served notice that he is in line to be a championship contender in the future.

Chase Sexton will be your 2023 Monster Energy SX Champion. He has won two races in a row and has to be a favorite for the hat trick.

Ken Roczen has four podiums in a row. I know, I know, the field is weaker than it has been all season, but keep in mind he won Indy against a full field.

Cianciarulo_AlignMedia_SX23_Denver_078
Cianciarulo_AlignMedia_SX23_Denver_078 Align Media

Adam Cianciarulo got that elusive podium after a long, long, stretch of disappointment and frustration.

Privateers have had a great few weeks as the field has opened for them to put in career best finishes and the PulpMX Yamaha LCQ Challenge gave them a nice bonus.

Who’s Not:

The injury bug has stricken the 450 class, taking out most of the top ten.

Colt Nichols missed a nice opportunity in Denver with his DNF.

Bold Predictions:

After seeing the success of the LCQ Challenge, PulpMX teams up with the Humane Society to raise 3.6 billion for underprivileged Bassett Hounds.

With the field down and out, Honda HRC encases Jett Lawrence and Chase Sexton in bubble wrap as they steam towards Pro Motocross.

Sensing opportunity, Mike Alessi arrives into SLC, holeshots the main event, and finishes 7th.

Seeing the success of Ken Roczen this season, Suzuki makes the bold move of reverting back to kick starters on their entire street offering. The Huyabusa kickstarter requires a crane operator to start.

My Picks

250

Hunter
Jett
RJ

450

Sexton
Roczen
AC9

Previous Next
450 Words: On Top Wed May 10 450 Words: On Top Next: Supercross Futures, The Future of Supercross Thu May 11 Next: Supercross Futures, The Future of Supercross
Presented by:
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Website
Read Now
July 2026 Issue Now Available
Get Racer X on your iPhone
Check out all the exclusive content this month on any device!
Read Now
The July 2026 Digital Issue Availalbe Now

Motocross & Supercross News - Racer X

122 Vista Del Rio Drive, Morgantown, WV 26508 | 304-284-0084 | Contact Us
©1999 - 2026 Filter Publications LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Preferences | Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
designed at: Website Design at Impulse Studios
New stories have been posted