Presented by Maxxis and Outhouse Coffee Co.
Last weekend, the Monster Energy Supermotocross World Championship Playoffs got underway in Concord, North Carolina, at xMAX Dragway, and severe weather forced the cancellation of the event after the first 250 and 450 motos were run. Four lightning strikes in the area initially halted the event, but the ongoing threat of lightning, plus steady rain and impending nightfall, finally did the race in. For the most part, racers were relieved, but the fans on hand were upset, demanding refunds and the like. There is no debating the fact that the race could not have run with the lack of lighting in the motocross section of the course outside of the stadium, and the course was challenging enough without throwing in mud and poor visibility into the mix. Eli Tomac told us after Friday's practice sessions that it was "The sketchiest track I have ever ridden on." Throughout the weekend, the track claimed many victims, including top riders like Malcolm Stewart, Seth Hammaker, Julien Beaumer, and Garrett Marchbanks. Jett Lawrence said after the race that the track had a limit that could not be pushed, and that you had "to take your medicine out there," in the rough conditions. We talk about that, and a lot more, in this week's Kickstart Podcast, presented by Maxxis and Outhouse Coffee Co.!