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uncle phil graphic
uncle phil graphic

How Phil Nicoletti, the most lovable grump in motocross, became everyone’s best friend.

WORDS: JASON WEIGANDT & STEVE MATTHES
PHOTOS: ALIGN MEDIA

Jett Lawrence logged a 2023 Pro Motocross perfect season, with Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart in the TV booth describing their own experiences with perfection. They’re not alone. Phil Nicoletti, the lovable 34-year-old grump, returned from a wrist injury this season in time to qualify for the new SuperMotocross World Championship… but only in 21st overall, forcing him to the Last Chance Qualifier at each of the three “playoff” rounds. No problem. Phil collected three-straight LCQ wins and a chance to do more complaining, this time on the podium. 
    “Thanks for the smartass award,” said Phil in Los Angeles after accepting a makeshift number-one plate. “Good to see Jettson isn’t the only one undefeated this year. But we’re gonna change this [LCQ] rule for next year.”
    Yup. Undefeated. RC and Stew can talk about Jett joining their club, but Jett can talk about Phil joining his. Because Phil’s deep inside the Honda HRC truck every weekend messing with Jett and Hunter Lawrence, somehow.
    “Well yeah, see Phil likes to physically bash me a lot,” says Jett. All of Phil’s relationships are like that. Dripping with sarcasm. Unless they really need him. Then he’d be there, the most loyal friend ever.

Nicoletti_AlignMedia_MX23_Ironman_007
Nicoletti_AlignMedia_MX23_Ironman_007

We are deeply rooted in Moto—We’ve been here all our lives. Back in 1998 when we turned an underground newspaper into a shiny color magazine, it immediately changed the game with its unprecedented depth of coverage, sense of humor, and access to the sport’s biggest names. Today, our readers know they can go to Racer X Online for all the news, race results, and event coverage they need, and then enjoy even more detail and perspective in the pages of Racer X Illustrated. The mag offers a chance to learn something new on every page and stay connected with the people and personalities that shape our sport—the competitors out on the racetrack, as well as the ones behind the scenes—through our exclusive deep-dive stories and columns.

Our trademark has always been insider knowledge from the experts who are at the races and around the sport. We have long prided ourselves on our unparalleled race reporting and detailed storytelling. We go deep with the riders and teams to provide comprehensive coverage you won’t find anywhere else—all with first-class photography and design. It’s a full education in motocross past, present, and future.

Davey Coombs
Editor-in-chief & Founder
Racer X Illustrated

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