PulpFree MXS | Staging Area: Arlington

[bdownen323]

We're back for more! MotoOption Supercross rumbles into the Lone Star State this week. Here is my take of the action shaping up for tonight.

Dirty Little Secrets
Arlington's AT&T Stadium is easily the largest stadium on the circuit in terms of sheer size, though Glendale's University of Phoenix Stadium may be a direct rival. Much like in the real world, this race has been known for having both giant tracks with slippery traction (2014) to smaller, tighter tracks with better grip (2015-16). This year's track is tighter than the 2014 freeway, but it has more of an "open" feel than last week's track in Petco Park. The rhythm sections seem very basic this week, with several sections offering quad lines and one section offering up a massive 4-5 line. This week's whoops are not very sharp, but they are big and far apart. Pushing hard in these, especially the set after the wall, can cause you to drop your front wheel and send you into an instant 8-10 second fit of rage.

This week's short start will be extra crucial to the racing tonight. The ability to get a jump out of the gate will favor those who run shorter gearing, especially in the 450SX class. The outside gates will be sleepers though, as you can get a jump and push into the corner very fast while everybody else checks up trying to stay tight to the inside. Now on the contrary, the split lane before the finish will be very interesting to watch at the end of races and in the very beginning if riders fall and block a lane.

Who's Hot
Anybody on a 2016 KTM dyno. Seriously. These things are monsters.

Tysen Fresquez has been rolling up the momentum all season long. His 2014 and 2015 seasons were riddled with uncharacteristic performances, but he is back to his "blazingly" fast antics this year. He sits just 7 points behind Hunter Root and is looking to smoke out that pool party in the coming weeks.

Speaking of pool parties, Hunter Root is back this year. He won the first two races and holds the points advantage over Tysen. He seems to have finally found the "Sign Up" button on the rF website and is currently swimming around in the 8th qualifying position. Look for Root to dive into the night and try to take his Swimulator to victory.

Jeremi Seabolt is on an unexpected tear in 250 West this year. Another rider who I will not name (he's going to be mentioned below) has been faster than Seabolt on many occasions, but Seabolt has started up front every race and sits 23 points ahead of Matt Cromie after just 5 races. He is currently fastest in qualifying at Arlington, and I can't see anything but a serious problem de-railing the bolt of the sea.

Who's Not
Alexis Leclair is somebody I expected to be higher up in the #easy standings. He is a full race behind Root in points after five rounds and has not shown the crazy balls speed that defined his 2014 and 2015 legacy. I will note that his riding has smoothed out exponentially. He is no longer Mr. 5th Gear, as he now stays within the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear range on his mighty 450 machine. Hunter Root has since taken over the 5th gear hero role, which he wears with pride as he rides around the track at 5500 RPM's and goes full seconds faster than me.

Dade Honeywell is only here for his 250 performances this year. He has since moved onto the 450SX class with a podium finish at Glendale worthy of the Who's Hot list, but he has yet to earn his place there. This week will be a tell tale sign of whether he belongs at the front of the 450SX field and on the Who's Hot list.

I feel weird putting Ryan Mahan on this list, but I expected him to be the man after his dominating 1-1-1 performance at the Monster Energy Cup in November. Ryan has a win at Anaheim 2, but he was clearly a step ahead in Vegas. He needs to hit the rebound button fast if he wants any shot at this title.

Bold Predictions
Tysen Fresquez takes his second win of the year in Arlington.

Jeremi Seabolt continues his undefeated streak.

Kellen Brauer gets drunk while livestreaming at twitch.tv/startyoursystemstv

Forum member Tylermx967 and his mom attend the only race form Texas this year. Tyler begins crying uncontrollably when he sees that the 450 field has shied away from his beloved Susuki dyno.

Race Karlin, in a strange conflict of interest, wears mismatched gear to represent Germany and Texas at the same time.

August Sanders makes the main event and celebrates in style. He crosses the finish line with a fist pump only big enough for Texas and proceeds towards his fan section in the stands. The Texas faithful shower the ecstatic hometown boy in copious amounts of Whataburger, Dr. Pepper, and assorted KTM parts, but the party is cut short when a rather large tree falls from the sky and lands directly on August.

[JS19]

43 points *************

[GustavoMX930']

ily Byron.

[Dunivant25]

Now all we need is for you to start doing Clueless...

[bdownen323]

Now all we need is for you to start doing Clueless...

I was honestly over that rather quickly this year. I'm enjoying doing this so far but I'll probably be over it in a few rounds.

[bdownen323]

Derp, clueless was last year. Damn phones

[Osari52]

Bold Predictions

Kellen Brauer gets drunk while livestreaming at twitch.tv/startyoursystemstv

How is this bold? This is 100% likely and accurate

[ryanmx25]

My training cause me to peak to early.. All downhill from here boys

[mx201]

honestly these are pretty dope

[Racers52]

Race Karlin, in a strange conflict of interest, wears mismatched gear to represent Germany and Texas at the same time.