5 Things to Watch at 2022 Oakland Supercross

Following a nearly 99 percent pick rate in my first race back in months, I’m here to bring you the the most flame, fire, fuego, feu, Пожар predictions for the second round of Monster Energy Supercross in Oakland.

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Prediction

That’s right, I’m ALL IN on Justin Barcia winning his fourth straight opener. Bam Bam and the season opener go together like a good ole Oscar and Slaw on a hot summer night.

Thankfully Bam Bam did enough on the track to take attention away from this pick.

Slawdiction: 3 out of 10.

Prediction

Colt Nichols won’t be rocking the #1 plate as he will be racing the West Region, but I still like the 2021 250SX East Region champ to start the season off hot and grab the win at the opener.

Ugh, this is a bummer. Nichols broke both his arms at the opener in a heat race crash and is probably done for the rest of Monster Energy Supercross. Do I think he would have challenged Craig at A1? Ehh… I don’t know, but he certainly would have been in thick of the title chase. Get well soon, Colt.

Slawdiction: 0 out of 10.

Prediction

Hunter Lawrence wasn’t supposed to ride the West Region until his bro Jett suffered an injury. That isn’t an ideal situation for the elder Lawrence bro, but throw that shit out the window. After a breakout 2021 Supercross campaign, I think Hunter comes out firing and lands on the podium.

Slawdiction: 10000 out of 10.

Prediction

Have you seen the pre-entry lists? My goodness, doggies, the 450 class has some heavy hitters. With that said, I think a factory or factory-supported rider WILL NOT MAKE THE 450 main. Hey, it’s the opener, shit happens.

A lot of factory and factory-supported riders missed the opener, including Justin Bogle, Alex Martin, 722, etc.

Slawdiction: 190 out of 10.

Prediction

Look, I think Eli Tomac will be fine this season on his new Yamaha, BUT I think it will take a round or two. With that said, Tomac won’t finish on the podium at the opener. And that ladies and gentlemen is my LEAD SLAW LOCK OF THE WEEK.

I mean, when you know, you know. Read Slaw, get smarter.

Slawdiction: 500 out of 10.

On to the Black Hole!

Sushi Rolls to the Podium

THIS WAS JO AT THE START OF THE 250 RACE AT A1!!!!!!

And he still came all the way back to get seventh. Sushi rebounds this week and snags a podium.

Webb Continues to Webb

If you read the headline to this article, you’d probably think I’m picking Webb to win. I am not. What I am doing is picking Webb to do Webb stuff aka not qualify well, look okay in his heat and then completely TURN IT AROUND in the main to grab a second straight podium. Hot take? No. Bold prediction? No. Right prediction? Yes.

More Takeouts and Carnage

As Bird mentioned, A1 was basically Wrestlemania and I’m so here for it. None of the stuff I saw was crazy dirty and certainly wouldn’t fit into the “dangerous” riding category. A1 created some damn fireworks on the track and in the stands (if you know, you know). Do I think Malcolm and Mr Fried will get revenge? Probably not. But dudes are so jacked right now and everyone thinks they can contend for a title so I expect the aggressive racing to continue.

Vince Friese Grabs Another Holeshot

What in the fu** is Mike Genova putting in his bikes? First it was Alessi (in fairness, Alessi has always been a good starter no matter the bike) and now Vince Friese (in fairness, Friese has always been a good starter no matter the bike). Whatever. All I’m saying is Vince can nail a start, dog! He does it again this weekend. LEAD SLAW LOCK OF THE WEEK.