After swinging through the inside of the next right hand 90, they will set up for two large doubles which will likely have steep take-offs in SMX style. The next few corners are fast sweepers that are built to open the track up a bit. The map shows options for inside/outside but I don’t believe they will work for passing as hoped. The strategy for a following rider would be to stay to the inside and then simply drift to the outside on exit. If you notice the option lanes structure, the apex opens up so riders could simply move from the inside to the outside and block a passing attempt. Texas had an option lane, but it was cordoned off and riders were forced to stay in it the entire way until the next obstacle. On this map, there would not be much incentive to go outside other than the golden rule of not following. Let’s see if any adjustments are made in real time on Saturday.

After the fast sweepers (of which one is sand), riders will head back toward the drag strip. There are a couple of big doubles but nothing really to separate or slow riders down as they head back toward the “stadium” section. There is one tight 180-degree corner that will have an elevated inside off-cambered option and then an outside that’s down at the bottom of the cambered downside. Riders will likely go inside here but watch for some to try to slingshot and beat their competitor to the next right-hand corner of which they could get to the inside. The following rider would have to be very aggressive in beating the lead rider to the next 90 right but on a track that looks scarce on passing, anything goes where there is opportunity.

The next section is like Charlotte as it crosses over itself a few times on the start straight. The tough part is that there is not the option lane that Charlotte had, and we saw passing in that section all afternoon. Without the option lane, will riders attempt to make aggressive block passes? The last left hand 180 before heading down the start straight (backwards mind you) could be that spot. It will have to be aggressive and heavy handed, but it could be possible with the right entry angle.

There’s a short chute that cuts across the start horizontally and brings riders back into the initial rhythm section for lap 2.

Who’s Hot

Haiden Deegan has won all four motos of this SMX Playoffs. He is absolutely dominating.

Jo Shimoda has been a podium mainstay through two rounds, and this is coming off of a broken collarbone. Impressive stuff.

Julien Beaumer has been his best self through two rounds of SMX Playoffs. The Las Vegas dirt should be familiar confines to the Havasu native.

Hunter Lawrence won the second round and took over the points lead in the SMX World Championship. Considering he missed the first main event of the season, this is remarkable.

Chase Sexton absolutely decimated the field in the Texas second moto. Was it a breakthrough or just the good start dynamic we have been highlighting?

Jett Lawrence was a hot tamale after the second moto but in the winner-take-all scenario, he can have his revenge in the desert.

Who’s Not

Chance Hymas is out of the series with his long-injured knee.

RJ Hampshire had a heavy hit and was unable to continue in Texas.

Carson Mumford was the first crash of the morning and will be out until 2025 at least with a broken leg.

Justin Cooper cracked his collarbone and will be iffy for Vegas.

Bold Predictions

Eli Tomac rides his scoop tire straight to the sand dunes after the main event and hits a few huge booters.

Chase Sexton joins the smelling salts crowd and ups the ante with a defibrillator hit just before the 30 board goes up.

Ty Masterpool inspects the infield for land mines just before moto one.