With enough riders pulling out of the amateur ranks to fill a landfill, all the hype as of late has been focused on the newest rookie arrivals. But there is another rookie class lurking around the corner that is entering into their make it or break it season. That’s right, the once baby faced rookie class of 2008/2009 now has the lines of a full supercross season etched into their faces. Whether they know it or not, this will be the end of the road for some of the young hopefuls.

We took to the stat sheets and broke down who might be on the hot seat if they don’t show up huge in the 2009 Lucas Oil Motocross Championships this summer.

Blake Wharton:

Blake Wharton might be the safest of the bunch. He was the only supercross rookie to land on the podium this season and he proved last year that his conservative style can transfer into outdoor success. He finished an astonishing 4th overall in the East Coast Lites Supercross series and capped off the last three outdoor races of the season in ’08 with a 5th, 10th, and 6th. Win, lose or draw Blake looks to be safe in terms of a contract for the 2010 season.

PJ Larsen:

PJ is a toss up. He showed a brief flash of brilliance in Phoenix with a 6th overall after not qualifying at his debut race in Anaheim, but since has managed to slip down the line a bit. He’s a fast talent but is on a young team that is trying to work its way up the food chain. If Larsen can put himself inside the top 10 overall he should be able to keep his seat for next season. If he doesn’t he may be giving up his throne to one of the young up and comers. Throughout the last three outdoor races of ‘08 Larsen found himself working around the 15th slot in each race. He’ll need to improve on that this year if he wants to make a name for himself. But with a full SX season under his belt, he shouldn’t have any trouble.

Darryn Durham:

Double D showed great potential in his first supercross season. Given, his consistency could have used a kick start, but overall he showed the talent to run inside the top five on a good day. However, if you remember correctly, due to contract issues with Suzuki Durham was unable to line up at even one outdoor race last season. He is unproven in the 30 plus 2 world of outdoor motocross. If his amateur career is any indication he should find himself in the same ball park as fellow rookie PJ Larsen. The two went back and forth throughout their final year in the am ranks and both finished 10th overall in their debut supercross season.

Vince Friese:

Some may say that Vince Friese doesn’t have anything to lose. And while we will agree that since he doesn’t currently have a big time contract he has less to lose than some of his counterparts, there is still a lot on the line this season for the young Missourian. Friese raced the 450 class for the final three rounds last season and for the majority of the West Coast series, but had much more success on his Lites bike in the East Coast series. We know the cost of running a 250F throughout an entire outdoor season is more than it is to keep a 450 humping, but if he wants to show sponsors what he’s capable of, he’ll definitely need to find a way to make that happen.

Ben Evans:

Evans should be safe barring he doesn’t totally drop the ball this season. He showed more potential early in the West Coast Lites series than any other rookie, but lost his spunk as the series began to wind down. Injury may have been a factor, but we never heard anything of the sort. Evans will be back on the TILUBE/Brown Racing squad for outdoors and should be able to put in the results to keep his seat in the satellite rig for 2010, but if he wants to hook the big fish and pit out of a factory rig, he’s going to have to do remarkable things this summer.

Cole Seely:

After finishing 11th overall in a solid supercross season Cole Seely is hoping to carry that momentum with him into his first outdoor national at Glen Helen in two weeks. Barring a major collapse we think that with a solid outdoor season Cole should catch a good ride next year. He was by far the biggest surprise out of all the rookies on the line, but with more fast kids moving up and teams already cutting stock, Cole is going to have to have one hell of a year if he wants to be pitting out of a factory rig in 2010.

Steven Clarke:

Steven Clarke showed he could run with the big boys in supercross, but as was the case with most rookies he just didn’t show it often enough. However, don't forget that Clarke put in a top ten at the final round at Steel City last year. He trains with Justin Barcia and Martin Davalos down at MTF and should be ready to make his assault on the outdoor season come May 23. The class is thick with talent this year, though, and if Clarke want's to rake in the big bucks he's going to have to find a way to make it into the top ten consistently.

Tyler Wharton:

Wharton had his struggles this past season in supercross, but he had his share of successes as well. Rumor has it that Wharton may be pitting out of Al Albiker’s new KTM satellite team on a 450. Wharton’s only appearance last season came at Millville where he put his Honda inside the top 15. Due to injury he was unable to throw down for the final two rounds at Southwick and Steel City. If he gets the solid backing that we think he will have on Albiker’s team then he could find himself with a handful of top 15 finishes next season. But if he really wants to open some eyes, he better be shooting for the top 10 overall.

Alex Martin:

Martin really needs to put in some solid rides early in the year. Alex showed he can ride in the top-20 in the last three nationals last year, but we're thinking he needs to run at least in the top-15 consistently to pick up a decent ride for 2010.

Hunter Hewitt:

Believe it or not, but Hunter Hewitt was the only rookie to sustain a season ending injury in supercross. As you know Hunter received a broken femur while training for the second round of the East Coast Lites series in Atlanta. We spoke with Hunter the other day and are pleased to report that his leg is healing as anticipated and his return to the outdoor nationals is right around the corner. “The leg is good,” said Hunter in conversation. “I’m still trying to build up the muscles. I’m not sure when I’ll be back but I’m hoping the fourth round at High Point. I just don’t want to come back until I’m 100%. I’m working with Coach Seiji and everything is going better than expected.”

Cody Gilmore:

Most of you know the struggle Gilmore has gone through the past couple of years and all this kid has done is perceiver through adversity and come out on top. He had a couple of good rides in supercross and is hoping that will carry over to the nationals. But if you look at his situation realistically, he’s going to have to really step up his game if he plans on finding a ride in ’10.

Michael Hall:

Hall (pictured above on a KTM) could be a wild card this outdoor season. Although he wasn’t as consistent as he would have liked in supercross, he definitely showed he has what it takes to contend at certain rounds. While he struggled last year at the last three nationals, many think that he could have a break out year this season. Hall is definitely someone to keep an eye on come Glen Helen. But if for some reason he doesn’t make good on all the hype, Hall will definitely be on the hot seat when looking for a big contract for 2010.