McThoughts: Santa Clara SX|450 Class

By Jeff McConkey

The Monster Energy Supercross series returned after it’s brief one week off. It gave riders an extra week to heal up and prepare for the final stretch of the season. The teams headed back to California for this round, and I expected a dry, baked track. It was surprising to see that the moisture held pretty long into the evening. It’s too bad that the track design was poor, in my opinion. They play football in that stadium, so why was the track so short? The speed that the riders were going into the whoops was scary. Let’s slow it down a bit by making it more technical and let the track separate the riders, not the start. Let’s take a look at the results and see my thoughts.

450 Class

1st Ryan Dungey: Is this guy human? The old Dungey would not have pushed the pace, and settled for 2nd. The current Dungey works too damn hard to give up wins. Fox Sports 1 had a camera in his face before he even got his helmet off. He wasn’t even breathing hard. It goes to show you, the harder you work through the week, the easier it is on race day. Take notes.

#1 Ryan Dungey.

2nd Ken Roczen: Kenny looked great early on. I was waiting for him to set Dungey up for a pass, but it just wasn’t there. I think he showed himself, and the world, that he is still the best of the rest behind Dungey with this great ride.

3rd Jason Anderson: Good ride for Jason. After a great start, he just didn’t have the speed to hang with the top 2. He’s been very good all season and is still improving. He will be a champion one day.

#21 Jason Anderson.

4th Chad Reed: I thought Chad rode good. His start was solid and he looked good for all 20 laps. I really think Chad needs big whoops or a technical track to hit the podium and separate himself from the boys.

5th Trey Canard: This was Treys best ride of the season. It’s too bad that his start was bad yet again. In his heat race, he looked like the Trey of old. I hope this is a sign, and that he is back for good.

#41 Trey Canard.

6th Justin Bogle: Great start for Bogle. He hung in there and finished strong. I don’t think I have ever seen Bogle this aggressive. These are the rides he needs to secure a good ride for next season.

7th Eli Tomac: This is not the Eli Tomac we know. I really expected Eli to be a regular on the podium by now. Is it the new bike and new team? Is it the double shoulder surgery? I just hope we see the real Eli back soon. It’s weird seeing him this far back in the results.

#3 Eli Tomac.

8th Weston Peick: I didn’t really see Peick out there, but I’m sure the sponsors did. Weston needs to be in the top 10 every week. He is the number 2 guy on the team and just needs to be solid.

9th Jake Weimer: Jake is doing a good job for the RCH Suzuki squad. He may have gone backwards a little, but who cares. I’m just happy that he’s not out hurt.

#12 Jake Weimer.

10th Blake Baggett: Nice top 10 for Blake. He just needs to stay healthy for outdoors and keep building. He is unsigned for next season like a lot of others and really needs to have a strong finish and a stronger outdoors.

Biggest Stud: Dungey will probably be my stud until he retires; he’s just doing everything right.

Biggest Dud: The track is my dud. 42 second lap times…not cool!

Biggest Surprise: Josh Hansen is my surprise. The guy has always had the talent. I just wish he realized that he has a gift. Training to race a dirt bike is a hell of a lot better than what 98% of us do every week. Who cares if you can’t run your number 100. Get out there and race and actually enjoy it before it is too late and you look back and regret it.