The zMax Dragway track will similar to last year with it’s split start and long lanes, bookended by an open, faster section. The split start was a big factor last season as most riders will always choose the left hand first corner which allows for better rear braking. Gate position will be critical, too, as Haiden Deegan gambled with a very inside gate in 2023 that didn’t pay dividends. Although the start is again a split, they corner away from each other this year instead of toward each other. The riders will appreciate this, no doubt, as last year’s coming together made the finish line jump a little dicey on the first go-round.

After the start sections reconvene, riders enter the faster section of the track. The technicality of the track is lessened and this is more of the motocross part of SuperMotocross. It will be interesting to see if passing will be possible as the flowing corners can be easily protected on the insides. Last year had an option lane that provided an opportunity but 2024 does not incorporate such a section.

Back into the dragway, riders will race through the start sections in the opposite direction as they weave towards the more supercross-esque sections of the track. Along the grandstands, there is a basic rhythm section that brings riders to the extreme end of the speedway (where the track entrance would be for a drag racing event). This section is all sand: the entry, the long left hander and on exit, too. Hopefully an inside and outside line can develop here so that it doesn’t become one-lined.

Exiting the sand, there is a tight switchback section that will be inside dominant. While passing might be tough here, it’s critically important to be right on the rear wheel of your competitor when exiting. The following rhythm section is undoubtedly the most important section of the racetrack. It’s also an opportunity to go big for those so inclined.

Exiting the 90 left, riders have two choices: jump on and off of the tabletop or jump over it. That choice dictates the rest of the rhythm lane, too. The on/off option sets up a quad from the take-off of the next tabletop. It clears a single in the middle and lands on the backside of a reverse ski-jump. Riders will then have four similar jumps in a row, followed by a fast ski jump and head towards the back section. Could they quad those four? If not, they will triple and then attempt to clear the downside of the ski jump.

For those who decide to jump over the first tabletop, they will then be faced with another choice: Do they again step-over the next tabletop or do they go on-off yet again. If they go on-off, they will then jump from the steepest jump in the section (the aforementioned reverse ski). That is not ideal as they go far higher than they would like.

If they choose to jump over the second tabletop, they could then triple from small (3 foot) to small and miss the reverse ski entirely. That would leave another triple (3 to 3) and then race off toward the back section with only the fast ski jump to contend with.

Choices to make? Sure. But, I do believe it comes down to the first or the last choice. Step-on step-off the first tabletop and then quad-quad is likely the best but most difficult option. Only the best of the best 450’s will even consider this. The over/over/3/3 is a much more viable option, especially for 250 riders who don’t want to go for the whole kit and kaboodle. In any case, watch this section closely as it will be the only section with options.

Who’s Hot

Chase Sexton has all of the momentum in the 450 Class. He ran away with the Pro Motocross Championship once Jett exited the series. Can he maintain this level? That is, as they say, the million dollar question.

Aaron Plessinger didn’t find a win this summer but he definitely continued his year long improvement. He has a chance to make a lot of money in a short amount of time.

Haiden Deegan is the defending champ of the SMX World Championship and comes in hot. His Pro Motocross Championship was won with three motos to spare and he showed he can overcome adversity many times over.

Levi Kitchen won three out of the last five races and although he took a fall in the final moto, he looked really solid down the stretch.

RJ Hampshire was the 250SX West Region champ and a podium in only his second race back in Pro Motocross bodes well for the Floridian.

Tom Vialle won the final Pro Motocross race of the season even if the final moto was not exactly ideal. Can he follow up his 2023 Charlotte form?

Chance Hymas is fresh off a Team USA announcement at the upcoming Motocross of Nations. He turned a serious corner this summer and should be a threat anytime a gate drops moving forward.

Who’s Not

Jo Shimoda is still trying to make it happen for SMX but won’t be 100 percent or anywhere near it. His broken collarbone at Unadilla will make his runner-up finish in 2023 a tough repeat.

Cameron McAdoo makes his return after exiting the Monster Energy Supercross Championship and missing Pro Motocross entirely. He is going to be in all three LCQ’s and if he gets through those, he will have last gate pick in each moto. Uphill climb to say the least.

Daxton Bennick will sit out the SMX rounds in an attempt to get back to 100 percent for 2025.

Jett Lawrence hasn’t raced since Southwick and with only three weeks on the bike before Charlotte, how can we expect what we have normally seen? This is going to be a tough test for the newly turned 21-year-old.

Cooper Webb had a rough return at Unadilla and hasn’t raced since. He’s racing his hometown race this weekend but questions remain on what level we will see in September.

Bold Predictions

Jett Lawrence holeshots the first moto and everyone gulps.

RJ enters the Danger Zone, meanwhile Weege goes bonkers claiming rights to the immediate area surrounding Dylan Ferrandis.

Phil Nicoletti complains about the track, yells at someone about gate choice, then is inside the top three on the first lap.

Justin Barcia blasts someone to Charleston to welcome himself back to the series.