Five Storylines for Daytona Supercross

Following a nearly 88 percent pick rate over the first eight rounds, I’m here to bring you the most flame, fire, fuego, feu, Пожар predictions for the ninth round of Monster Energy Supercross in Daytona.

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As always, we will first review my predictions from the last round in Arligton…

Prediction | Vince Friese Leads a Lap of One Triple Crown

ICYMI: Friese moved up to the 450 Class for the East Coast and guess what he brought with him: his starts. Yep, I’m starting to believe that Friese might be the greatest starter ever. If only we had stats to prove it. Anyway, I think the Freezer leads at least a lap or two of one Triple Crown.

I think, but not sure, that he got a holeshot in one main, so that counts for something, right? No? Okay, I’ll take the L.

Slawdiction: 0 out of 10.

Prediction | Forkner Wins One Main Event

Do we call these main events? Races? I don’t know. Either way, Forkner wins one of them in the 250 Class. I really like what I saw from him at the opener and I think it continues this weekend.

As I predicted Forkner did win one. I hate that he’s now dealing with another injury, as I feel he was riding his best since his title contender days. Get well, AF.

Slawdiction: 10 out of 10.

Prediction | Hampshire On the Overall Podium

RJ was apparently dealing with an illness in Minny. “Dude, I looked like a pansy there for a little bit in the main event,” he told Steve Matthes. “It was almost more embarrassing, because I train my ass off, and it looked like I was fading bad, and you could tell. I hit the ground enough today, and yesterday, that dude I’m being a bitch again. I couldn’t breathe, my stomach was in such a notch, and I couldn’t breathe.” He rebounds this weekend with an overall podium.

This was really scary. Glad Hampshire is okay and is expected to line up this weekend.

Slawdiction: 0 out of 10.

Prediction | Malcolm On the Overall Podium

Mook Dog tossed away a podium in Minneapolis. Not this weekend. Malcolm has been crazy good and crazy consistent this year. He hasn’t finish outside the top five since the opener at Anaheim 1!!! That continues in Arlington.

Malcolm got Fried in the first main, but damn he was riding good. He did continue his top 5 run, so I’ll take some credit here.

Slawdiction: 4 out of 10.

Prediction | Jett Wins Again

Yeah, not bold. But whatever. My column. My rules.

Jett was certainly fast, but mistakes killed my chances here.

Slawdiction: 0 out of 10.

On to Daytona….

Tomac Breaks RC’s Record

Ricky Carmichael owns a f ton of records in this sport, including the all-time Daytona wins record. He’s currently tied with Eli Tomac at five, but that goes away this weekend. Tomac and Daytona mix like a good ole Oscar and some Slaw on a hot summer night. Heck, even RC himself thinks he’ll do it. Who am I to doubt the GOAT?

“I want to see him do it. I love seeing history being made, and he deserves it,” said Carmichael, who, for the 15th consecutive year, designed the Daytona course that Tomac will vie for elite status this weekend. “I think he’s the one to beat my record. His style fits this track. He is a fantastic rider and a great ambassador of our sport.”

Ken Rebounds

If Ken is going to rebound this year, it has to happen here. I kind of sort of think he does. Top five for Roczen this weekend. Stamp it! Kind of.

Phil Gets a Top Five

We all love to give Phil shit from time to time, but we really need to give him credit on how well he is riding in his return to supercross. He’s been super good and that continues this weekend with a top five finish.

We Have a Surprise Podium in the 250 Class

The once very deep East Region has been hit hard by injuries. I think this leads to a surprise podium performance in the 250 Class. Who will it be? I don’t give that away for free.