A long, sandy right hander bends all the way back into a short straight before a hard 180 left. That sand will be annoying to the riders as roost will be a problem, especially when bending that long. A short chute leads immediately into another long, sandy right hander and yep, more roost. A wall jump leads to more sand before getting to a clay right hander.

A short chute (many of these) fires riders toward an inside/outside option corner but I can’t really figure out why anyone would go outside here. Maybe the build will slow riders down (steep jumps on exit perhaps) on the inside but on paper, it’s inside and inside only.

A stadium length straightaway is broken up by an over/under bridge as riders pop up and over. Upon landing, riders will fire into a left-hand bowl berm.

A short straight with a wall jump leads to the most unique aspect of the track, the exit to the hallway. Originally, this was hoped to be a longer section into the convention hall, but logistics proved difficult. Still, this will be a first-time usage of this hallway and will add a chance for fans to get alongside the action.

As riders come back into the stadium, they will go under the bridge and across the starting line (horizontal crossing).

This next section is extremely similar to 2007 where Chad Reed and James Stewart went down. Time will tell if the corner has the same off camber to it but having a bowl berm setup like this before the finish line could provide an opportunity for aggression.

After tripling out of Reed/Stew corner and over the finish line, riders will slingshot into and out of a very fast 180 bowl berm and onto the first corner for lap two.

Who’s Hot

Haiden Deegan did the thing again. He has won the last six out seven playoff motos and retains his lead in the SMX World Championship.

Seth Hammaker had an 11 second lead but was unable to sequester a charging Deegs. Still, second place isn’t a bad way to start this thing off and a good way to make a lot of money.

Wasabi Jo was trying to get around Seth and disappear but made a small mistake that turned into a big one when he clipped the Tuff Block on the inside. His ability to climb back to the podium was notable.

Jettson Lawrence managed the race from start to finish like he often does. It wasn’t flashy and wasn’t over the top. Just plain and simple execution from the reigning champ.

Chase Sexton was lurking most of the first moto and while he never made a real challenge for the lead, he was capable of whatever flurry both Jett and Tomac threw in. I liked what I saw from the 4.

Eli made a mistake that cost him a chance at a better result, but the key here was that the fire was back. His final few motocross races were inconsistent, and I worried that his intensity was waning. He looked like Eli in Concord.

RJ Hampshire battled forward to fifth and continues his impressive 450 run. He’s done a great job of quietly racking up solid finishes and gaining 450 experience.

Who’s Not

JuJu Beaumer’s burst fracture in his vertebrae was a real downer. Let’s hope for a big recovery here.

Garrett Marchbanks suffered a lower leg injury, but it sounds like he will make a go of it in St. Louis. Tough kid, that one.

Malcolm Stewart missed the opening playoff round with soreness stemming from a Friday mishap. Mookie is expected to be back for the second round.

Bold Predictions

Jorge Prado agrees to settle his team dispute on Friday’s episode of Judge Judy.

Red Bull KTM and Monster Energy Kawasaki plan a rider exchange in front of LaRocco’s Leap at dawn on Monday, Oct 6.

If you listen closely, you’ll hear cuss words about the sand sections wafting through the airwaves in St. Louis all afternoon and evening.