The Racer X Podcast Network

Post-race interviews from the Glendale Supercross: 250SX Shane McElrath, Colt Nichols, and Adam Cianciarulo 450SX (10:19) Ken Roczen, Jason Anderson, and Blake Baggett

It's an event so big it can overwhelm even the biggest names in the sport—and that's why superstars often tell you they'd rather not even win the season opener, aka Anaheim 1, aka A1, aka the most hyped event in the sport. Feld Motor Sports invited all the past Anaheim Supercross winners to press day for the 2019 Monster Energy Supercross season opener, and Jason Weigandt grabbed a few of them to ask about the experience before, during, and after winning at Anaheim. Their answers might surprise you, but this much you can sure of: there's nothing quite like a win at the Big A. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

Enjoy a wild, unfiltered night on the eve of Anaheim 1, in front of a live audience of rabid supercross fans. Jason Weigandt, Steve Matthes, Jason Thomas, and Kris Keefer host, with special guests Davey Coombs and Ryan Villopoto, each talking smack with insider info, jokes, wild predictions, and bench-racing tales. But be prepared: the language, topics, and conversations might be unlike anything you've ever heard in this sport before. Villopoto was totally on fire, but hey, with the live audience fired up on Anaheim 1, this was a night unlike any other!

The 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season opened last night inside Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. Hear from the 250 podium of Colt Nichols, Dylan Ferrandis, and Shane McElrath; and the 450 podium of Justin Barcia, Ken Roczen, and Eli Tomac.

There's so much hype, fever, and anticipation for the 2019 season of Monster Energy Supercross that Jason Weigandt is literally able to talk by himself for 40 minutes with some ideas and opinions on what's coming on Saturday. Well, Weege could go 40 minutes on any topic, really, but certainly the season opener is an exceptional event. From Anderson versus Tomac to TV schedules to Roczen and Musquin's status, and even fan questions from Twitter, take in one more hype ramp-up before Saturday night. There's nothing quite like the opener! The Racer X Exhaust Podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

Chad Reed is never afraid to make a change, as he's ridden on five different brands of motorcycles since his 2001 arrival in the U.S. He's even ridden several of the brands twice! But the all-time career leader in supercross starts and podiums is making an exceptionally large move for 2019: he's not only joined JGRMX/Yoshimura Suzuki, but he's selling his Florida home and track to move near JGR's headquarters in North Carolina. Yes, the Reed family is making a wholesale change—although Chad hopes things look familiar on the racetrack. He feels good and thinks some classic Chad Reed results could be just around the corner. Jason Weigandt chats with Chad in this edition of the Racer X Exhaust Podcast. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

The JGR/Yoshimura Suzuki team announced its official 2019 lineup this week, and with four 250 riders and a 450 lineup of Justin Hill and Chad Reed, the squad looks solid. This off-season was not solid, though, because the team endured many stressful moments after losing its title sponsor, trying to find a new one, dealing with the massive injuries to Weston Peick, and trying to find a spot for Reed on the team. In this podcast, Jason Weigandt explains some of the behind-the-scenes stresses on the team and then talks to Hill, who will make his full-time 450SX debut in 2019. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

Ryan Sipes took a huge risk. A year ago, he decided to forgo focusing on any one championship to instead try to succeed in five different dirt bike disciplines at once—all in the hopes that he could bring enough value to sponsors via exposure, instead of titles, to make it work. It did work, but only because Ryan succeeded beyond all expectations on the track. He won an American Flat Track race in just his second attempt, he raced Motocross of Nations as part of Team Puerto Rico, he showed top-ten pro motocross speed on Zach Osborne's bike, raced a 125 against 250Fs, and raced GNCC, ISDE, Sprint Enduro, and Straight Rhythm. Now he's been named the AMA Athlete of the Year in National Championship Competitions. And he's headed to Puerto Rico to help rebuild some houses. And he's working on a new schedule for 2019. It all looks great now, but Sipes took on the risk, built his own bikes and program, found some willing sponsors, and made it happen when it all sounded completely crazy. He joins Jason Weigandt to tell his story. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

Do you doubt Shane McElrath? It's okay—sometimes he doubts himself. Shane was once a complete unknown on the national level, until Zach Osborne's dad (yup!) took a liking to him and got him some training time at Club MX in South Carolina. Shane improved, then found a way to stay at Club full-time by performing tasks around the facility, like pouring concrete. He got even better the next year, and that's when he got his break: after battling the likes of Cooper Webb at Loretta's, Shane was discovered by the Troy Lee Designs team. He's been a TLD project ever since, and he's delivered five supercross wins and a 250 Class MX overall during the last two seasons. But, thanks to those humble roots, Shane still probably isn't recognized as the 250 title contender he actually is. He's okay with that, though. Staying humble is the mantra Shane preaches every day. In this episode of the Racer X Exhaust Podcast, Shane talks with Jason Weigandt to explain his journey from local racer to national pro, and how those roots keep him grounded today. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

We made a mistake last year. We heard that Jason Anderson was spending more of his off-season in California and less of it riding motos with Marvin Musquin in Florida, and we all believed it was a sign that Anderson was slacking from the traditional Aldon Baker-style program, which means as much Florida time as possible and motos with your workmates, like it or not. Well, we were wrong, because the changes Anderson made last off-season made him better, and he emerged as Monster Energy Supercross Champion. To avoid making the same mistake again, Jason Weigandt called Baker to see how the off-season has gone for all his troops. Is Anderson working just as hard even though he already has a title? Is Musquin going to be okay after a knee injury? How is Cooper Webb dealing with the program? Is Zach Osborne transferring his 250 success to a 450? Let's find out from the man himself. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

Jeremy Martin is now an established player in this sport, with two 250 National Motocross Championships and a long-term deal with GEICO Honda. When he was younger, though, he bounced through the amateur ranks looking for his shot and kept training and preparing harder and harder so he would be ready when that day came. He was always prepared, and he's now known as one of the sport's hardest-working and most focused riders. Unfortunately, all that work has been put on hold due to a devastating back injury he suffered in June at the Muddy Creek National—just when he seemed to be at the peak of his powers. In this edition of the Racer X Exhaust Podcast, Jason Weigandt spends an hour with Jeremy talking about his background, his motivation, and what comes next, both in his comeback from injury and also his thoughts on life after racing. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

Hunter Lawrence and his family aren't exactly sure why they had to do it they way they did, but they knew they had to do it. Australia's Hunter and his younger brother Jett spent three years racing in Europe before moving to the U.S. under the idea that time in Europe would make them better racers here. This decision looks brilliant now, after Team USA took a shellacking at the Motocross of Nations, leading many to think that racing through Europe's diverse tracks and conditions helps build special skills. Now Hunter and his brother are officially members of the GEICO Honda team (Jett will race amateurs in 2019). Did they put themselves on the right path? We'll find out once the races begin, but for now we can tell you that Hunter seems like a good dude. We rang him up this week to talk about his transition and his background. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is brought to you by Yoshimura.

Brian Deegan might be best known for his marketing might, having cofounded the Metal Mulisha brand and turned it from a rogue freestyle group into a multimillion-dollar brand. Underneath that, though, Deegan has even more steak than sizzle. He found success as a dirt bike racer, freestyle competitor, off-road truck racer, and rallycross driver. That's four different disciplines Deegan can say he competed in and won in at a high level. That's wild! Now Deegan's kids are on the same path: his daughter Hailie might singlehandedly rescue NASCAR as one of its highest-profile and most talented young stars, and his son, Haiden "DangerBoy" Deegan is already a multi-time AMA Amateur National Motocross Champion at Loretta Lynn's. How did Deegan teach himself? How does he teach his kids? We dive into that in this conversation, which serves as a preview of Brian's new documentary, Bloodline. We also grab Bloodline writer, director, and producer Paul Taublieb to get more behind-the-scenes Deegan scoop. Many life lessons to be gleaned from this episode of the Racer X Exhaust podcast. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

We brought the hijnks, arguments, facts, and laughs from a regular episode of the Racer X race review podcast and Steve Matthes' PulpMX Show, and we put it on display for a live studio audience Friday night in Las Vegas. We also booked two legendary guests: Ryan Villopoto and Damon Bradshaw. Join hosts Jason Weigandt, Jason Thomas, Kris Keefer, and Matthes as they hit the usual topics, such as the Motocross of Nations and the Monster Energy Cup and Marty and Stew, and enjoy the cheers and jeers from the (couple) hundred fans who attended. It's the first PulpMX/Racer X Live podcast show, presented by Fire Power.

Welcome to a conversation we don't have enough in this sport. The annual American International Motorcycle Expo (or AIMExpo) is coming to Las Vegas this weekend, alongside the Monster Energy Cup, our own Friday night live podcast show, and plenty of other hijinks. The AIMExpo is primarily a trade show for motorcycle dealerships, but it's operated by the Motorcycle Industry Council, so it also serves as the industry's annual health checkup, with real talk about how to gain new riders and regrow the industry. These are conversations we should have more often, and they take place at AIMExpo. In this week's Racer X Exhaust Podcast, Jason Weigandt dials up Larry Little, who runs the Expo as the MIC's vice president & general manager of events. The conversation is about all things motorcycling, including tackling today's challenges as well as successful strategies that have worked in the past. The Racer X Exhaust Podcast is brought to you by Yoshimura.

With RedBud hosting the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations this weekend, let's continue to bathe in Team USA stories. In part two of this podcast, Jason Weigandt calls Davey Coombs again to learn the behind-the-scenes stories from Team USA, starting with the dominant 1986 team in Italy, stretching through heroic Jeff Stanton rides, the famous 1992 "B Team," the shocking end of the record win streak in 1994, and Ricky Carmichael rekindling efforts—and win streaks—in the 2000s. Davey also explains scenarios that plagued the team through the years, from ending the 500 Nationals to the changing calendar that creates a longer break between the U.S. racing season and the actual Nations date. Learn all about the superstar patriots of American motocross in this special edition of the Exhaust podcast. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

With RedBud's turn hosting the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations next weekend, it's time to bathe in Team USA stories. Jason Weigandt calls Davey Coombs to learn the behind-the-scenes stories for every American MXoN effort ever, from the very first team in 1970 to the record-breaking win streak to losses, another win streak, and the most recent head-scratching efforts. This podcast was so long, we've broken it into two parts. Here we cover the 1970s and 1980s, and we'll be back with Part 2 next week. Learn all about the superstar patriots of American motocross in this special edition of the Exhaust podcast. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

Easily one of the friendliest, funniest, and most well-spoken veterans of the pits, Ian Harrison has been through a lot in his 25-plus years working with factory racing teams. Teamed up as mechanic for Greg Albertyn, the duo went through South Africa and Europe before landing in the U.S., just as Roger DeCoster was taking the reins of Team Suzuki. Through tireless efforts, Ian and Roger (and Albee) got Suzuki back into the championship business, and wins kept coming through Pastrana, Carmichael, Reed, and Dungey. Then, just like that, it stopped. DeCoster had an offer to go to KTM, but The Man would only do it if Harrison went with him. For 2019, DeCoster has been promoted to KTM/Husqvarna U.S. motorsports director, and Harrison will take over as the team manager of Red Bull KTM. Harrison's journey from humble racer in South Africa to running a top team here is fascinating—especially when explained through Harrison's colorful personality. The Racer X Exhaust Podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

For the second year in a row, Suzuki invited a Racer X staffer to Japan to test a new motocrosser—in this case the all-new 2019 RM-Z250. Our man Jason Thomas, who raced professionally from 1997 to 2012, rode the new RM-Z450 last year and returned in 2018 to try the 250. In this podcast, hosted by Jason Weigandt, JT provides his first insights on the new bike and Suzuki's commitment to racing. Then he and Weigandt get into the topic of pain medication addition in the sport. Sources close to Tyler Evans believe pain meds led to a long, dark spiral, one that ended in his death on September 15. Thomas shares some of his own stories of taking pain meds following surgery for a broken leg, as well as tales of other racers who went through the ringer trying to break the addiction. The Racer X Exhaust Podcast is brought to you by Yoshimura.

Mickey Thompson was the racer of racers, a master driver, fabricator, and promoter with deep roots in every imaginable discipline. It's his innovation on the dirt side that crossed Mickey into the supercross world, first as the founder of short-course off-road racing for trucks and buggies, and later with stadium off-road racing. Mickey eventually gained control of all the races inside Anaheim Stadium (now Angel Stadium), including the Anaheim Supercross. Mickey's son Danny became a star as one of the top drivers in the off-road stadium series, but so much came crashing down when Mickey and his wife, Trudy, were murdered in their driveway in March of 1988. Without its founder, the off-road series that was once on a meteoric rise eventually went away. Recently, Danny dedicated himself to a new project to honor his father's legacy: he brought Mickey's old land-speed-record car out of storage and set about breaking the piston-powered land-speed record in it. All this in a car built in 1968! In this edition of the Racer X Exhaust Podcast, we talk to Danny about his dad's car, breaking the record, and the glory days of stadium off-road—with a little supercross and motocross talk mixed in. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

Second-generation stars have hit the big time: Aaron Plessinger, son of multi-time Grand National Cross Country Champion Scott Plessinger, swept both 250 championships this year, and Kailub Russell, son of National Enduro Champion Jeff Russell, is running toward six straight championships in today's GNCC racing. Kailub and Aaron have never actually raced each other, but they were at the same track on the same day when Kailub took a shot at Lucas Oil Pro Motocross at Unadilla two weeks ago. He rode very well in the mud, even threatening for a podium for a bit in 450 Moto 1 before a crash ended his whole moto experiment, at least for this year. Now it's back to business in the woods for KR, as the GNCC Series resumes on September 15 and 16 in New York. But no matter how fast he goes, he can never outrun the controversy of winning in the series that his dad, Jeff, now runs. Sometimes the accusations just make Kailub want to quit altogether—but his recent motocross foray has helped rejuvenate his desire. He talks about it all with Jason Weigandt in this week's Racer X Exhaust podcast. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

Post-race interviews from the Ironman National: 250 Class Aaron Plessinger, RJ Hampshire, and Chase Sexton 450 Class (11:57) Justin Barcia, Ken Roczen, and Marvin Musquin 450 Class Championship Press Conference (24:19) Eli Tomac

Many greats have ridden for Team USA at the Motocross of Nations, but Jeff Stanton's name goes a little higher in the ranks than most. For three years, from 1989 to 1991, Stanton did hero work for the team, including two years where he singlehandedly kept the American win streak alive with dramatic last-minute charges. He's contributing to this year's RedBud edition of the MXoN in a new way, organizing a fundraising dinner on Friday before the race where fans get to dine with their heroes. Stanton has grabbed nearly every rider to ever compete for Team USA, and bids are up for fans to land a table and hang with the greats. In this edition of the Racer X Exhaust Podcast, we talk to the six-time AMA National Champion about the event and also get his take on RedBud and the MXoN in general, as well as current-day racers like Eli Tomac, Justin Barcia, and Jeffrey Herlings. Stanton is never one to hold back his thoughts, so you'll enjoy this one. Go to www.mxonexperience2018.com for more info. The Racer X Exhaust Podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

Post-race interviews from the Budds Creek National: 250 Class Aaron Plessinger, Chase Sexton, and RJ Hampshire 450 Class (09:53) Eli Tomac, Ken Roczen, and Marvin Musquin

Post-race interviews from the Unadilla National: 250 Class Dylan Ferrandis, Aaron Plessinger, and Mitchell Harrison 450 Class (13:30) Marvin Musquin, Eli Tomac, and Phil Nicoletti

When Broc Tickle was provisionally suspended by the FIM for a failed anti-doping test under the WADA code, it rekindled all the complex conversations about drug testing in this sport. Fallout and finger-pointing came quickly, and even though many fans and industry sponsors pledged support for Tickle, he's still suspended for an indefinite matter of time, and he still lost his ride with Red Bull KTM. (Aldon Baker was Tickle's trainer at the time of the failed test, so his name often gets pulled into the fracas as well.) In June, we phoned Tickle to get his side of the story while researching a feature on the topic for the latest issue of Racer X Illustrated. That story—"Lights Out"—can be read in our September issue, out now. For this episode of the Racer X Exhaust podcast, we present the full interview with Tickle. The Racer X Exhaust Podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

Each yeah at Loretta Lynn's, Jason Weigandt hosts a Kawasaki and THOR/Parts Unlimited panel session where pro riders take questions from amateur riders and parents. This year's panel featured Jeremy McGrath, Adam Cianciarulo, and Garrett Marchbanks—three riders representing three generations representing three different ways to enter the sport. McGrath's plan was totally unique, as he didn't even become a motocross racer until age 14 and famously likes to explain how badly he rode at Loretta Lynn's. Cianciarulo has 11 titles at the Ranch, tied for the most ever in the youth divisions, but did his riding and training in his native Florida. Recent graduate Marchbanks has several titles of his own but sacrificed much for them, leaving home at age eight to live at tracks and facilities and hone his craft. The three discuss their different paths into racing while taking questions from Weigandt and a collection of fans at the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Amateur Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn Ranch. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

Post-race interviews from the Washougal National: 250 Class Aaron Plessinger, Alex Martin, Justin Cooper, and Joey Savatgy 450 Class (09:17) Eli Tomac, Marvin Musquin, and Ken Roczen

You can get a one-week window into the world of amateur motocross racing via the annual Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Amateur Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn Ranch. That's what Jason Weigandt does, having announced the race for the last 13 years alongside DMXS Radio's Kevin Kelly. Kelly, though, also announces about a dozen other big amateur events each year. Want to know who to watch at Loretta's? Kevin knows. So after Weigandt has made approximately 300,000 appearances on Kevin's DMXS show, he called Kevin to appear on this one. For a much more in-depth look at Loretta's, also check out Brett Smith's epic "How We Got Here" podcast for the inside story of how the event began in 1982. There's never been another motocross podcast like this one. Look for it in this very podcast feed; it was published on July 16. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

The truth is, we could barely keep Racer X Online afloat last week, as co-bossman Chase Stallo was gone all week working for ESPN's X Games. Jason Weigandt did his best to keep the creative juices flowing on his own, but by this week, both men were spent. So they did what they usually do: picked up the phone to try to figure some stuff out. The only difference is that they recorded that conversation this time. Welcome to a new podcast, Staff Meeting, a part of the Racer X Podcast Network. In this one, Stallo and Weigandt discuss the evolution of X Games and end up tackling other major topics in the sport: Does social media actually sell product? Do TV ratings matter so much anymore? Why do riders in the 450 class get so much more scrutiny than 250 riders? And why has Eli Tomac chosen not to get block-pass revenge on Marvin Musquin? From now on, we're making Racer X Staff Meetings your meetings too. Listen in to hear some professional bench-racing (because it's our job to discuss dirt bikes 24/7).

Post-race interviews from the Spring Creek National: 250 Class Aaron Plessinger, Alex Martin, and Justin Cooper 450 Class (06:56) Eli Tomac, Ken Roczen, Marvin Musquin

The last month has witnessed a flood of new-bike press releases from the major manufacturers—so much so that it might be hard to remember what's new. Which 2019s have really advanced and which ones are sporting "revised settings" to go along with "bold new graphics?" Jason Weigandt chats up David Pingree to find out, and further, they start talking about key topics such as all-new bikes versus refined older models, the difference between Husqvarnas and KTMs, and more. Weigandt also spills some inside scoop that he learned about the RedBud Motocross of Nations over the weekend. Enjoy! The Racer X Exhaust podcast is brought to you by Yoshimura.

In the early 1980s, a trio of motorcycle racing promoters from Ohio and West Virginia were looking for a facility. A country music legend needed to fill a campground. A sanctioning body wanted more members and a marquee event. And amateur motocross racers wanted a true and fair national championship. In this special edition of the Racer X Podcast, Brett Smith of @wewentfast takes us on a documentary-style journey into the genesis of the Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn Ranch and what (amateur racing) life was like before 1982. Characters include Ron and Dick Lechien, Davey Coombs, Rita Coombs, Todd DeHoop, Tim Cotter, Rick "Super Hunky" Sieman, and more.

We all know Justin Brayton didn't do it like others did. Brayton wasn't an amateur star, and as a teenager he had zero thoughts about actually making a living in the sport. He just loved dirt bikes, and he loved doing the work, so he kept improving, and it all worked out. But while we all know that about Brayton, do we actually know what his bizarre path really looked like? In this episode of the Racer X Exhaust Podcast, Brayton talks about him humble roots riding in Iowa, from not even having dirt bikes for part of his youth to riding so badly that he was literally a lapper at the local level. From there to here, it's been quite a road for the Smartop/Bullfrog Spas/MotoConcepts Honda rider and 2018 Daytona Supercross winner. While talking to Brayton, we also ran into a next-generation kid with very similar Iowa roots, Cameron McAdoo, who is trying to find his footing as a pro with GEICO Honda. For McAdoo—heck, for everyone—Brayton's is an inspiring story, and he tells it in this episode. The Racer X Exhaust Podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

Post-race interviews from the RedBud National: 450 Class Eli Tomac, Marvin Musquin and Justin Barcia 250 Class (12:08) Dylan Ferrandis, Alex Martin and Shane McElrath

Post-race interviews from the Southwick National: 250 Class Dylan Ferrandis, Alex Martin and Shane McElrath 450 Class (07:52) Marvin Musquin, Eli Tomac and Justin Barcia

Justin Barcia has lived in the spotlight since his minicycle days and is actually one of the first top pros to grow up riding full-time at a training facility. All of the ingredients were there for Barcia to win big—until his results took a dive, his confidence went south, and he found himself contemplating retirement ... and actually being okay with that. In this podcast, Barcia explains it all, from his early days to the changes he's made to get back to the podium now. The Racer X Exhaust Podcast is sponsored by Yoshimura.

Post-race interviews from the Muddy Creek National: 250 Class Shane McElrath, Dylan Ferrandis and Chase Sexton 450 Class (13:28) Eli Tomac, Justin Barcia and Marvin Musquin

It really makes no sense at all. Travis Pastrana, as a pro rookie, won the 2000 125 National Motocross Championship. A year later, he had already won his last professional race. During a tumultuous 2001 125 season, Pastrana, Grant Langston, and Mike Brown slammed each other on and off the track (weekly!) and battled through injuries, bike problems, and more. That season is most remembered as the one where Langston lost the title due to a broken wheel in the last moto, but it also marked Travis' last title shot as a racer, as a huge crash and concussion suffered while leading at Unadilla marked the beginning of the end. He'd have flashes on a 250 in supercross the next year, but he never won again. Last year, we called Travis for his recollections on the 2001 season as material for a Racer X Online Longform story titled "Fight Club." We held on to the audio recording of his interview, and it provides the substance of this week's Racer X Exhaust Podcast. The Racer X Exhaust Podcast is sponsored by Yoshimura

Post-race interviews from the High Point National: 450 Class Eli Tomac, Marvin Musquin and Justin Barcia 250 Class (13:45) Aaron Plessinger, Austin Forkner and Justin Cooper

Justin Bogle deals with the same ups and downs as others—but it's the way he expresses himself that sticks out. Bogle is articulate and thoughtful to a degree beyond many of his peers, and perhaps that's why he works on a budding rap music career way off to the side and forges deep relationships with those who have been down in the same racing trenches. In this episode of the Racer X Exhaust Podcast, Jason Weigandt goes to lunch with Bogle and his best friend, Brad Frace—once a top amateur prospect himself before a crash left him paralyzed—to talk about life, racing, music, and how it all blends together. As Justin Bogle would say himself, it's a beautiful thing. The Racer X Exhaust Podcast is sponsored by Yoshimura.

There was a time when Cole Seely didn't want to race anymore—and we're not talking about his February crash, which resulted in a broken pelvis and sacrum and a damaged abdominal wall. He did consider calling it a career for a moment then, but he's since regained his mobility and overcome pain and fear. Now he's planning to be 100 percent ready come Anaheim 1 2019. Before that, though, he actually did quit the sport once, back in his amateur years. He returned as a relatively unknown prospect, then surprised even himself by getting a fill-in ride, taking it all the way to a podium, and beginning the journey toward a career as a 450 factory rider. This is Cole Seely's story—and gladly, it's one that's not over yet. The Racer X Exhaust Podcast is sponsored by the good folks over at Yoshimura.

Post-race interviews from the Thunder Valley National: 250 Class Alex Martin, Jeremy Martin, Justin Cooper 450 Class (12:09) Eli Tomac, Ken Roczen, Blake Baggett

Christian Craig has lived a life well beyond his years: the son of a top pro, his amateur recruit didn't quite work out, so left the sport to get a real job, only to return stronger than before. He's also a dad who brings his wife and son to most of the races, and there's a reason for that: Christian has battled through the mental game of racing and says his son helps keep his mind off of the pressure and danger of racing motorcycles for a living. Before his unfortunate exit from the series due to a torn ACL, he opened up in a very revealing episode of the Racer X Exhaust podcast, presented by Yoshimura.

Hear from the 450 podium at round two of Lucas Oil Pro Motocross.

Hear from the 250 podium at round two of Lucas Oil Pro Motocross.

The 450 podium from Hangtown.

The 250 podium from Hangtown.

The 2018 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship kicks off Saturday at Hangtown. On Thursday, Eli Tomac, Marvin Musquin, Jason Anderson, Weston Peick, Justin Barcia, and Ken Roczen from 450s and Zach Osborne, Jeremy Martin, Aaron Plessinger, Alex Martin, Justin Hill and Joey Savatgy from 250s spoke to the media.

On the eve of the 2018 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, MX Sports Pro Racing President (and Racer X editor-in-chief) Davey Coombs explains how the AMA National Motocross Championship actually started. It's not what you'd think. When the series started in 1972, several other big series and races were already rooted into America. Because of this, many of the top names didn't even compete in the Nationals except when the events were combined with others, including some big-money races promoted by Evel Knievel! The same year, the Japanese brands began making their push to the top of the sport, what we know now as supercross kicked off with the 1972 Superbowl of Motocross in Los Angeles, and one visiting European saw his title chances dashed when his van (and works bikes) were stolen. Enjoy this lighthearted trip to the past, including some laughs over the race reports and win ads of the day. The Nationals started with humble roots—learn all about it here before the 50th Hangtown Classic kicks off another season on Saturday. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.