Vital MX Pit Bits: Las Vegas

It's one last race to the finish of the 2019 Monster Energy Supercross season. Let's see what's happening. Of course, starts are always critical, but everyone we've talked to thinks that this track offers little passing potential, and that this week's holeshots will be extra-important.

How about that gear? More importantly, how about Ken Roczen's new three-year deal with Team Honda HRC? We're stoked that Honda showed him that kind of confidence, and that Ken plans being around that long.

While cruising the pits on Saturday afternoon and stopped by the Smartop MotoConcepts Racing rig while the team was doing autographs. While we were there, Team Owner Mike Genova, and Team Manager Tony Alessi, slipped in a one-year contract for Malcolm Stewart to sign. Awesome!

This is new. The Team Honda HRC crew has switched over to the Works Connection Pro Launch start devices on their factory bikes.

Bring the bling! Vegas is all about showing off, and Alpinestars did it in a big way with these glittery boots. This is three of the five(ish) varieties available for their riders.

Cooper Webb has this 450 title all but locked up (we're expecting a fist-pump as he heads down the start straight). Hmm...new Thor gear?

Cole Seely is rocking a LE set of Troy Lee Designs gear for this weekend.

Answer Racing had some new Zebra gear for the JGR Suzuki guys. They were looking at running flo-yellow plastic for the weekend, but couldn't get it in time.

These Bell Moto 9 Flex helmets for the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki crew match up nicely with their bikes, which get a little extra glitter this weekend.

Both Marvin Musquin (above), and Cooper Webb (below) have new chromed-out helmets for this weekend's action.

The Monster Energy Yamaha guys get a little different look for this weekend.

We saw the intro of the new Fox V3 last weekend, and get to some of the new production versions hitting the track after last week's customs.

Here are your top two 250 West contenders with Adam Cianciarulo and Dylan Ferrandis.

Justin Cooper and Chase Sexton will settle to the 250 East here.

The GEICO Honda guys did up a special bike for Chase Sexton this weekend, which shows off the newly acquired red plates pretty nicely.

It wouldn't be Vegas without some custom graphics for the Finals. Let's blast through a bunch. Here's the AJE Gas Monkey Husqvarna look.

BWR Engines went with a silver look for their bikes.

Steven Clarke with his Ti-Lube Honda.

The Rocky Mountain ATV-MC/KTM/WPS gang added some silver sections to their bike (including at the top of the front number plate).

AJ Catanzaro's Kawi.

Even the exhaust got some bling.

JMC Motorsports brought some cool color to their bikes.

They also had a couple different versions of stickers for their radiator caps,

This one was a little more PG.

Tyler Bowers' bike was all gray camo for the finale.

Even the AMA inspection stickers got into the act.

HEP Suzuki had a new sponsor on board for the weekend, with Broaster Chicken. They make a lot of the equipment used for frying chicken in restaurants around the country.

Top 450 qualifiers? Eli Tomac grabbed the pole.

2. Marvin Musquin.

3. Ken Roczen.

4. Zach Osborne.

5. Cooper Webb.

Let's also check out the top three in each of the 250 divisions. In the west, Adam Cianciarulo was the top qualifier.

2. Dylan Ferrandis.

3. RJ Hampshire.

In the 250 East, Mitchell Oldenburg was the top qualifier.

2. Chase Sexton.

Chase Sexton got his tipovers (hopefully) out of the way during press day.

Up top with the Factory Filmers.

2018 450 SX Champ, Jason Anderson's flag flying in front of Sam Boyd Stadium. It was a bummer that his title defense got cut short by injuries.

We were stoked to see that the wheels for his outdoor effort were already on the truck and getting tires mounted up for Hangtown.

After 30+ years traveling the national circuit as a wrench and tire changer at Dunlop, Marshall Plumb is opting out of the outdoor season to focus on his own business.

Brian Fleck from Dunlop making a front tire selection suggestion after watching Michael Mosiman's last practice.

Since there's no post-season awards, KTM truck driver, Don Baynes decided to do his own. The team managers and other drivers elected Monster Energy Kawasaki's Brian Barnhart the winner.

Jordan Burns is one of the founders of MotoXXX, and he recently reacquired the brand. He's looking to bring it back in a big way.

Phil is the eye in the sky that keeps everyone on the floor as safe as possible.

Robbie Wageman got an all-hands-on-deck engine swap before the final practice session.

Feel sorry for him? Or nah?

It's that time of the year, when bubble gum and bandaids get guys to the finish. Joey Savatgy will be your 450 Rookie of the Year, and he's getting some taping help from Doc G.

Jordon Smith is getting ready for the outdoors, but says that progress on his injured wrist is slow, and that he still has some range of motion issues, as well as swelling. He's going in for an additional look with his doctors, and here's hoping things turn out well for him.

Blake Baggett checking post-practice video with Michael Byrne.

It was cool to see a couple mechanics with their kids in the KJSR this weekend. Here's Jensen Hendler and his son, Jayce, along with the rest of the family.

Rockstar Energy Racing Husqvarna crew chief, Steve Westfall, and his son, Parker.

Ricky Johnson and Roger DeCoster.

Now that's a look. Anthony Rodriguez breaking in his new boots during track walk

The entire Monster Energy/Yamaha Factory Racing squad was sidelined this week. Justin Barcia has been getting in some outdoor testing, but decided to sit out the final few rounds. Aaron Plessinger's replacement, Josh Grant, went out this week after a practice crash.