Pivotal Points and Penultimate Pressure

The situation at the top of the points in the 250SX West Region is extremely tight—RJ Hampshire leads Levi Kitchen by two points with two rounds remaining, making Denver a crucial night for both of them. Kitchen, who crashed hard in Nashville and gave up a ton of points by finishing 14th, can’t afford to let Hampshire pad that lead heading into the final round. Compounding matters is that the final race of the series is the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Showdown, which will add a degree of unpredictability to an already pressure-filled night. Who will come out of the penultimate (you knew you were going to here that word somewhere this week) round with better field position? -Hansel

The Scene of the Crime

Eli Tomac is a huge fan favorite these days, but nobody loves him like the crowd in Denver. They go absolutely crazy for him in Empower Field at Mile High every year! And, after he ruptured his Achilles tendon there last year, you can bet the fans are going to have some extra energy, and decibels, this Saturday. Will it be enough to help propel him to his second win of the season? -Hansel

Quick Swing

When Cooper Webb and Jett Lawrence were tied for the championship lead all we could talk about was how quickly things changed for Lawrence, who was up by 21 points just a few races prior. Well, that was only two races ago and suddenly he’s back up by 12 points over Webb with just two rounds remaining. If Webb wants to have a fighting chance in Salt Lake City, he’s going to have to win in Denver, and hope Lawrence has some bad luck. -Hansel

Time to Eat

Injuries are an unfortunate reality in this sport, but they don’t come without benefit. When the field is thinner, like it always seems to be this time of year, it allows for privateers to compete for higher spots and more money and makes it possible for guys on the bubble to make it into the main event. Kevin Moranz, Anthony Bourdon, and Devin Simonson, for example, all put it in the 450SX main in Philadelphia. Who will rise to the occasion in Denver? -Hansel 

Mile High

Jason Anderson has turned things around, going 4-4-3 the last three weekends. He also rides better on more dry, hard packed dirt, since he grew up just south of Denver in New Mexico (which is relatively close in the world of dirt bikes). We know he rides good there since he took home the win in the Mile High City two years ago, will we see him on the box again this weekend? -Sarah Whitmore

Matter Of Time

Justin Cooper has had a solid rookie season; he only has two results outside of the top ten (not counting San Francisco where he failed to qualify in the mud). But considering how fast he is in qualifying, it is just a matter of time before he turns his season best finish, a fifth in Birmingham, into a podium. Question is, does he still have time to do it this season, or will it be 2025? -Whitmore

Layout

Interesting track design this weekend in Denver, where the track crosses over the start straight four different times. With all of those switchbacks, will it create opportunity for passing? Or will it turn into a follow the leader situation? We will have to see how the lines develop but there might be some opportunity for some block passes. -Whitmore