Supercross vs local track etiquette

I think that is exactly why it's so confusing. I think holding your line is usually the best idea. Being as predictable as possible is usually the best. That being said, in SX, especially late in the race on a rough track, there are probably only a few optimum lines left and if it's there, everyone is taking it, regardless of what place they are in. So when a leader comes up quickly on a lapper, a lot of times they are in the good lines.

Another thing with SX is there is a certain speed and commitment needed for each section of the track. So if you start a section you are somewhat committed to whatever combo you plan on for that section. And it's not easy to just pull out of that, especially when the track is broken down and rutty like Indy was. So to me, in SX when you combine this with the short lap times, it's just going to happen. If that last race was not a triple crown and a standard 20min main, those guys were probably lapping up to like 5th place. So I just think the podium guys were frustrated and speaking for themselves. But I don't necessarily think that means all fans and media need to go change everything about the sport because of this race. To me, the track was the biggest issue, above all else. 

I always felt like lappers getting out of the way of the leaders was a courtesy but not required. The leaders need to plan for having lappers in the way; it's as simple as that. 

I agree that hold your line is best practice when you are riding with some speed on a practice track and even a little on a supercross race track. The supercross tracks do have flaggers and slower riders are usually being shown a blue flag to let them know leaders are coming. Like anything, it’s not perfect. There are times lappers get flagged late or flaggers are in a weird corner and not really in a riders natural sightline. But, we’ve all seen lappers refuse to move out of the race line even when being flagged for multiple sections. 
I don’t know the rules in supercross but there should be multiple regarding blue flags. I know those lappers are also riding their races. So, if lappers are in a battle as the leaders are coming through, maybe no passing for the lappers while under a blue flag. 
Also, dock race positions if someone refuses to yield/move on a blue flag. Make it a series length thing with an appeal process. First time it happens you get a warning. Next race, docked a position. If it happens again next race you get docked again, plus points if applicable. Happens again, black flag for the race. I think Lusk/J-bone are trying to be fair. If it’s a late flag, have speed through whoops, any other legit reason then the rider doesn’t get docked. 
I feel most of the lappers are trying to be considerate of the leaders and do their best to let them race. It’s the same ones over and over again that cause the most problems. If we can see it during a broadcast I’m sure the racers can tell you who does it on a regular basis and who deserves the penalties. 

I’m not racing for a championship and millions of dollars at my local track. I’m also not riding at the speed of Eli Tomac. It’s easy for me to change my line when someone slow is rolling around the track or is in my way. Totally different dynamic on a Supercross track where you have to be precise to go fast. 

When you are Fast enough to catch them … you are fast enough to pass them.

I'd take the stance that this needs to change,  Tomac shouldn't have to plan to get around friese unless he pulls a start.

Tomac probably thought he was going around Friese. You know, until Friese decided a hard left was a good idea.

Man I still don't see this as a huge deal. Almost every rider talked about how hard it was to stay straight in those soft ruts. It's Indy fer chrissakes - it's almost always like this. Yes, Friese came left 3-4 feet, but Tomac also went right 2-3 feet on his jump out of a different rut on that same face. That's a racing incident. 

Hunter just committed to a triple into a corner when he was approaching lapped traffic - he should really know better. He's lucky it went as good as it did. He coulda landed on Cole quite easily. Yeah, there's a big pace differential but there always will be between the top 4 or 5 and the rest of the field. 

Yeah he should. Everyone has to account for everything that they see in front of them. Ruts, tough blocks, lappers etc. Like mentioned above, Hunter saw traffic and still tried to thread the needle and triple into the corner with traffic. You can't just send it wherever you want, because those guys are a lap down. The responsibility falls on everyone. And things are going to happen sometimes, because it's racing. I fault the track more than anything, as mentioned above. But even the lead guys were messing up and making mistakes, so clearly a guy outside the top 10 is going to be having an even harder time with the conditions, than the leaders. So mistakes will be made. Plus, they are racing behind them, while trying to race forward. It's not easy, in those conditions. Sure Friese and some guys are more annoying than others. Anything obvious, then penalize them. But I just don't like how just because a few top guys bitched about lappers, that everyone is going to the extreme and have all these crazy ideas or want privateers gone etc.I realize that the top guys are the main attraction but you can't disrespect the guys from 10-20 just because they get lapped. Factory riders get lapped almost every race too. So unless you want a 5-man gate, I think that talk needs toned down a bit.

Also, to be clear I am not saying Eli was in the wrong, in that incident. I thought Friese needed to be more aware there. I don't know if he was cross-rutted or what happened but moving from the inside across the whole track, to the left, is not ok. But I was just using the Hunter example of how the leaders still have some level of responsibility also.

Part of being a fast guy is knowing and keeping the rhythm you need to maintain to BE fast. The whole "flow state" thing. I'm sure Hunter was just hitting his marks on that section and the triple out was always the fast option. But he's setting up for that when he ENTERS the section, and he can't anticipate lappers at the end when it's still 10 seconds away from where he is. If he tries to anticipate that he's gonna double-double thru and get passed quickly. No win situation for him. 

Being slow, I always worried about fast guys coming up on me so quickly they wouldn't have time to account for my slow ass still being in their line. Had it happen a few times at Hangtown and Washougal and I felt bad but what can I do? Not ride at all? I hold my line and all but it takes me time to get out of the way. 

And they are told by AMA when getting the blue flag to slow and move over just like he did. 

Two things will greatly improve the lapper situation in professional racing. 
1. Better flaggers. Flaggers need to “flag” with intent. Too many blue flags just waving randomly. 
2. Do not allow lappers to gain position while blue flags are waving. Passing by a lapper while under the blue flag will result in being black flagged and fined. This penalty can also be applied after the race by protest and video review. 
This should allow a rider being lapped to roll obstacles and stay out of the race line. No more justification of “they’re in their own race”. It won’t be perfect, just better than what we have now. 

I've never been "Fast" but I've been consistently a lot faster than a lot of the guys in an open practice. I also am often put in races grouped with other classes. In my experience the worst thing a lapper has done is try to move over and be unpredictable.