A 180 right swings riders right back into the same direction down the speedway and this chicane type maneuvering is an attempt to slow the otherwise fast layout. A step on-step off leads immediately into another chicane with a double in-double out option (similar to 2024 in the same spot).

The last section of the drag strip has a double leading into the first sand section of many, bending around near the podium and management control building. Two small doubles lead to a much larger one in the location of last year’s finish line jump. A few rollers greet the landing of the double and into a flat right hander.

A short chute of sand leads to a flat left 180 and into a few small doubles. More sand is up next and through a left 180, into a small double and into another sandy 180 to the right. These sections are very much motocross oriented, fast, and easy. The big question is if they will present any passing opportunities.

The next section picks up the speed to a fever pitch, an easy double that riders will scrub before accelerating hard to the farthest reaches of the strip. A turning-double continues the long arc back towards the grandstands and riders pop up and over the start bridge. Instead of going left into the first corner, riders will swing right into a flat 180 right. Two small doubles lead to a big, open 180 left, slingshotting riders into a fast, flat double. A 90 to the left lines riders up to come back alongside the grandstands and utilizes a step on-on-off section, the area where Sexton and Barcia unfortunately got together in 2024. Landing the step off brings riders back through turn one and onto lap two.

Who’s Hot

Jo Shimoda raced through sickness and benefited from the Kitchen/Deegs drama. He won the overall in STL and took the points lead, too. He is going to have his hands full in Vegas with likely shenanigans.

Seth Hammaker’s five-point penalty in Concord looms large but he’s riding the best in his career. The colitis he suffers from will be a challenge again this weekend, but he stands to make a lot of money if he can stand tall on Saturday.

Related: The Weird SMX Scenarios Heading into Las Vegas

Tom Vialle won the STL second moto, seemingly out of nowhere. He’s entering his last full-time race in America, at least for the next few years.

Deegs is still in this title fight, and I would argue he’s the best 250 rider in the world, too. He is going to have to win and get help to pull this off.

Hunter Lawrence, true to form, won round two of the playoffs and now has vaulted himself into this title fight. His starts are such a powerful asset, and his riding has become world class in the last couple of years. Impressive.

Jett Lawrence is a bad, bad dude. His first moto start was far from good, but his comeback kept him in position to win another title. He is going to have to execute and beat his brother, but titles are always earned, never given.

Eli Tomac is 16 points down, which sounds like he’s out of this thing. He’s not. If Tomac wins Vegas and Hunter has any real troubles, this thing is doable. Unlikely but doable.

Who’s Not

Austin Forkner missed STL with an injured knee suffered in qualifying practice. Poor guy cannot catch a break.

Malcolm Stewart went down in STL while still hurting from a Concord crash. I’m not sure if we will see another attempt in Vegas but it’s hard to imagine he has a lot to give even if he is out there.

Chase Sexton had an off night in STL and then weirdly rode slowly around on the last lap, giving up 5-6 positions. Very strange but it looked like something was wrong with his bike or he at least thought so.

Justin Cooper has not had the playoff run he was hoping for. Coming in with the red plate, he has struggled to muster his best form.