CONCORD, N.C. — Aaron Plessinger is one of many riders who would love nothing more than to sweep all three playoff rounds of the SuperMotocross World Championship and claim the inaugural series title.
And with the Red Bull KTM rider entering round one at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C., as the second seed — three points behind 450cc class leader Chase Sexton — his shot is as good as anyone’s.
But that’s just it. Almost everybody has a shot to win the championship.
After the points reset, there is only a 13-point gap between first and 10th in the standings. Furthermore, with round two of the playoffs next weekend in Joliet, Ill., being a double-points event and round three offering triple points, the opportunity is there for any single rider to shoot to the top of the board.
“I think consistency is key. Get off to a good start at this (round) and then capitalize on the double and triple points the next couple weekends,” Plessinger said. “It would be nice to come out and win every one of them.”
The approach doesn’t change much for third seed Jett Lawrence, either, after his 22-0 record during AMA Pro Motocross competition this summer.
“Same kind of mentality as going into outdoors,” Lawrence said. “Just see where I’m at and go from there. Doesn’t matter if it’s double or triple points.”
Kickstart Kenny Is ‘100 Percent’
Yes, it’s been a while since Ken Roczen lined up behind a starting gate.
But the last time he did, his results were nearly flawless. It was the High Point National — an AMA Pro Motocross event — on June 17, and Roczen finished runner-up after a close battle with Lawrence.
Moving into the SMX playoffs, ‘Kickstart Kenny’ is carrying a healthy level of confidence.
“I feel 100 percent,” Roczen said. “Over the summer, I was watching a lot of racing just to stay in it, and I enjoyed studying from the couch. Of course, you always want to be racing, but I took it for what it was and I’ve had some really, really good weeks.”
Roczen has also been training with Sexton the last few weeks, admitting it’s helped keep his intensity “on par” for the stacked 450 class.
Barcia, Webb & Anderson Back In Form
For riders such as Justin Barcia, Cooper Webb and Jason Anderson, the SMX playoffs are a welcome opportunity to earn redemption.
All three contenders had their Supercross seasons brought to an early end due to injury and were forced to sit out the majority of the Pro Motocross Championship in order to recover. But the trio of Supercross veterans are back in form for SMX and anxious for a new stage on which to prove themselves.
“It was good to come back to motocross and hit a couple races to get my feet wet. We had a few things to work on after the season,” Barcia said. “But definitely going out (in SMX) to try and win a few races.”
In three motocross starts, his best finish was fifth overall at Budds Creek (Md.) on Aug. 19.
After combining Supercross and motocross points, the No. 51 GASGAS rider slotted 10th in the SMX standings.
For Anderson, who finished sixth in the Supercross standings earlier this year and made only seven of 11 motocross rounds, SMX is an alluring chance to flip the script.
“Not being able to win a race this year and now having three more chances to win it…it’d be nice to win it. For me, coming off injury, I felt like I was progressing a little bit at the end of outdoors,” Anderson said. “I’d be excited to get a win here.”
The Monster Energy Kawasaki rider is the seventh seed.
Meanwhile, Webb will start the SMX series from sixth in the standings. He will also be making his debut with Star Racing Yamaha during this weekend’s race.
“I feel like I’m back to my roots. I started racing with the guys I’m with now,” Webb said. “As far as preparation, I’m in a good spot and I’m here to win.”
Dirt On A Drag Strip? Say No More
The Friday sight at zMAX Dragway never ceased to amaze.
Watching 250cc class and 450 riders lay down practice laps on the freshly-constructed SMX track, mere inches above the drag strip surface, was quite a jaw-dropping view.
As unprecedented as it was, Sexton and Lawrence took to the track immediately, as the pair of Honda HRC riders owned the fastest lap times during the second practice session of the day.
Anderson, Roczen and Adam Cianciarulo completed the top five in practice.