Slaw Dog
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Eli Tomac says 2025 is his last year. Do we believe it or will we most likely see him in some capacity in 2026?
T-Dog: Tomac has been saying that it’s his last year for the past two years. Had he not had the Achilles injury then I truly believe that he’d be a retired man right now. However, he’s here and he’s not on any type of “farewell” tour. Tomac is hungry to win. I think if he stays healthy this year that he will do whatever it takes to be on Team USA at Ironman and that will be his last race ever.
Slaw: My heart says we will see him again in 2026, but my head tells me we won’t. As the Troy Dog noted above, I think Tomac would have already pulled the plug had he won that title. As he’s showing in WSX, he is still competing at a high level, but sometimes you just know when it’s time to hang it up. I hate to say it, but we need to enjoy Tomac this year while we still have him.
Runner-up finish in Monster Energy Supercross for Cooper Webb in 2024. Will he most likely capture a third title in 2025?
T-Dog: I hope you’ve all learned your lesson on NEVER counting out Coop for a Supercross Championship. EVER. He’s going to grind this SX season out and keep it close until the end. I would say that he’s going to be the champion, but unfortunately he has to deal with this kid named Jett who can go on a ten race win streak like nothing. If Coop can keep Jett’s season wins to around 6-7 and Jett has a bad race, I think Coop can do it.
Slaw: I will never, ever doubt Mr. Webb when it comes to Supercross and title chances again. I did it once and I’ve learned from my mistakes. Another year on Yamaha will certainly help. What won’t help? Dealing with Jett and Chase Sexton and Tomac and Hunter Lawrence, etc. I certainly think Cooper has a CHANCE, but will he? Ehh… I’m not ready to go there.. Yet.
Christian Craig is BACK with Star Racing. Will he most likely return to previous form?
T-Dog: CC is going to be back in 2025! Now, what I mean by this is that we’re going to see flashes of brilliance like some good starts, running up front , some fast laps, great heat races, AND THE WHOOP SPEED IS GOING TO BE BACK! You’ll have to give him some time to adjust as he’s coming into the season fresh off of surgery and I don’t think he’s actually started riding yet. However, once the East swing starts I think we will start to see some life to him. He’s going to be riding with Deegan, so that will get his intensity up quickly.
Slaw: The injury bug has killed Craig since moving to the 450 Class. Just one thing after another. I think we’ll see flashes, for sure, but I’m not sure if he will be a podium guy in 2025.
Justin Cooper returns and vastly improved in 2024 with a lot of time spent on the box. How many podiums is he most likely to get in 2025?
T-Dog: J-Coop was one of the most underrated riders of 2024 and he earned his right for another year on the Star 450 program. I think Coop well get up three podiums this season and no one will talk about it.
Slaw: Maybe Daytona? Look, Cooper is a fantastic rider, he just has a ton of heavy hitters in front of him. Will it shock me if he podiums? No. But I also won’t be surprised if he leaves SX with zero. Sorry, I JT’d that answer, but yeah, I’ll go zero podiums.
Rider most likely to get the most wins in SX?
T-Dog: If Webb is going to challenge Jett for this championship, then he’s going to need at least four wins. I’ll never bet against Webb so I say he accomplishes that.
Slaw: Webb with a slight edge over Tomac. This year is going to be stacked at the top with the Lawrences, Sexton, Prado and on and on. I think Webb snags four wins to Tomac’s three.
Rider most likely to get the most podiums in SX?
T-Dog: if you’re catching what I’m putting down, I have really high hopes for Cooper Webb this season.
Slaw: Tomac. I know this goes against what I just said above, but I think week-in week-out Tomac will have more consistency, which means more podiums.
Rider most likely to improve the most?
T-Dog: Christian Craig. He’s back home and it’s gonna show in his results.
Slaw: Justin Cooper. I really liked what I saw from him in 2024 and with Craig onboard showing the boys some of that insane whoop speed, I think Coop Dog takes a step up in 2025.
Main image: Yamaha
