Practice Party: Nashville

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Welcome to the Vurb Practice Party, where you will probably find qualifying times at some point and random thoughts from Troy and Slaw, but mostly Troy. Hang around, it’s going to be the best time of your life. Grab an ice cold Twisted Tea as well, or Claw, and let’s party!

Yeah, Nashville! Welcome to one of the most feral places on planet Earth. We all went to Nashville last year for VurbWes’ bachelor party. To this day, I’ve never seen anyone so happy to be somewhere as Wes was running around the streets of of Nashville talking to everybody he saw. He met 784 new friends that night. It was the best night ever. We went to Hunter Lawrence’s championship party too. The entire industry was out having a great time with one another and it will never be topped.

Alright, onto the racing, nothing to report on, right? Just kidding. WE’VE GOT A TIE IN 450SX POINTS!!! That means two (2) red plates this weekend. Actually make that four (4) red plates this weekend with the East/West/Showdown. Which coast will be superior once the checkered flag waves? This race used to be for bragging rights, but now with the standings so close and only a couple of rounds left for each coast, it’s all business.

Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki is on a remarkable comeback this season with Levi Kitchen and Cameron McAdoo looking to close out both coast championships. The Pro Circuit team hasn’t won a title since Adam Cianciarulo’s 2019 Pro Motocross Championship and hasn’t won a Supercross title since Justin Hill in 2017. Is this the year they get them both?

A slew of riders are looking to get in Pro Circuit’s way with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s RJ Hampshire on the West and Red Bull KTM’s Tom Vialle on the East. The 250 Main Event is going to be so stacked tonight that we won’t have a surprise winner.

The 450SX Championship is going to go to the last round once again. The veteran (we’re sure he loves that term) Cooper Webb is on a serious run right now. He demolished a 21-point lead in three weeks time. Meanwhile, Jett Lawrence has the speed, he’s just been rocked by Justin Barcia, on accident, and then last week he had to come from the back.

We have so many storylines to watch this weekend and we will get to those in a moment, but first here is the info that you need for today’s race.

How To Watch

Live on Peacock/Saturday

– Race Day Live: 1:30 p.m. EST
– Race: 7 p.m. EST on Peacock

Encore: Monday at 1 a.m EST on CNBC

Nashville Race Schedule

Track Map

Storylines

  • The 450SX points are ALL TIED UP with four rounds to go!
  • Pierce Brown is sitting third in the East without a podium.
  • Mitchell Harrison is coming off of a career best 450SX finish of 14th for the Partzilla PRMX team.
  • Justin Hill is coming off of a season best ninth in Foxborough.
  • Despite the season he has had, Eli Tomac is only 30-points down on Lawrence/Cooper.
  • Chase Sexton is only 15-points down and is technically second in points now. He’s looking for a win in Nashville. He hasn’t won since round 2, the mudder in San Fran.
  • Justin Barcia hasn’t had a podium since round 3 in San Diego
  • The 250SX guys have two Showdowns to end the season and that is going to mix up the points A LOT.
  • Dylan Ferrandis should be back next week in Philly.
  • Only four points separate Cameron McAdoo from Tom Vialle on the East.
  • Meanwhile 15-points separate Levi Kitchen from RJ Hampshire on the West.

Dean-O Is Back!

Dean Wilson has been sitting out since breaking his scapula in three spots in Daytona, but he confirmed with me on Wednesday night that he was in fact back in Nashville. It’s such a veteran move to make sure he’s back for the best round on the circuit. Dean also confirmed that he should be in a crop top today as well. Let’s see how he tops this Tractor Supply fit from last year.

Another important thing to note about Dean-O is that we also need to remember that this is his last season as well. So, we’re losing Adam Cianciarulo, Phil Nicoletti, and Grandpa Earl. It’s only April! How many more announcements are we going to get? We’re starting to see that transition in the 450 class happen, I’m afraid. Wilson posted on social and said that he was bored during his time off, so I asked him if he had any chance of coming back at all in Monster Energy Supercross 2025. He told me that even if he wanted to return he doesn’t think that he will have a spot on a team.

St. Jude Research Hospital Race!

The teams went all out for the St. Jude Research Hospital race. Here are some of the special graphics for the weekend. Riders will have special gear for the event as well.

McAdoo

Cameron McAdoo crashed during the second qualifying session and did a couple slow laps before pulling off. We will keep you updated as we learn more. MotoOnline’s Kellen Brauer reported that he is “alright” and going to give it a go tonight.

250 East Combined Qualifying Results

250 West Combined Qualifying Results

450SX Combined Qualifying Times

Main Image: Octopi Media

Written by Troy Dog

Faster than Slaw Dog. Editor-in-Chief

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