Vital MX Pit Bits: 2024 Las Vegas Motor Speedway SuperMotocross

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Welcome to Las Vegas. Michael Lindsay

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We got a warm welcome on Friday, as the local air force base was busy with training exercises. It just happens to be that the Speedway is on the approach path to the base. So...damn...cool! Michael Lindsay

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Pierce Brown told us that when Frankie Latham joined the TLD for the second half of 2024, Frankie told Pierce that he would make him a winner. Well congrats Frankie, you did the damn thing. Michael Lindsay

Twas a little windy and dusty on Friday. Michael Lindsay

Jett Lawrence's 2025 Honda CRF450RW. Michael Lindsay

We expect to see the Progressive branding grow with Honda's racing operations in 2025. As it'll appear on their rigs, more of their pit presence, and even their top support teams. Michael Lindsay

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Hello data ports. Michael Lindsay

I want those fork clicker adjuster arms. Also not the wire tie from the top clamp nut to the steering stem nut. Michael Lindsay

The USA HRC team has had some trick linkages the past couple of season but on the new chassis they're rocking stock...for now? Michael Lindsay

It's getting to the point that we see Jett with the #1 more than the #18. Also note that the factory Honda team has an extra bolt at the rear of their side panel to help hold it in place. The stock panel has a sliding hook underneath. And no, that's not a seat bolt. Those are up front on the Hondas. Michael Lindsay

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A Twin Air filter cover over the Twin Air filter, due to the dustier conditions on Friday at Vegas. Michael Lindsay

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Hunter Lawrence's left side grip has a notch in it for his clutch lever. Michael Lindsay

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While Jett's doesn't. They also run different levers. Hunter is on stock, while Jett prefers this ARC solid lever version. They also run different grip compounds. Michael Lindsay

The Lawrences have also been using 90/100 front tires instead of 80/100 as of late. Also trying out a works version of the AT-83 off-road front tire at some SMX rounds. Michael Lindsay

120/90 rear tires out back. In the 450 class there's a mix of 120/80 (which is pretty standard), the taller 120/90, and the skinnier 110/90 at East coast races. Michael Lindsay

The wall jump where Jett made the move on Tomac in moto one. Octopi Media

Ben Griffith at work. Michael Lindsay

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Progressive branding is every where. Michael Lindsay

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Literally everywhere. Michael Lindsay

Eli Tomac made quite a bit of buzz in SMX, rocking the MX-14 "Scoop" tire at multiple rounds. Will this trend continue into 2025? Michael Lindsay

Now that's just a badass shot. Octopi Media

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Star Racing co-owner Brad Hoffman giving the bikes their morning wellness checks. Michael Lindsay

The team has long used Vortex ignitions, although there was a short spurt in the mid 2010s where they ran GET for a couple of seasons, before returning to Vortex. Michael Lindsay

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A Vortex data port on Cooper Webb's YZ450F. The Mosnter Energy Yamaha Star Racing 450 program is the only factory 450 program to utilize a Vortex. While teams such as Honda HRC, Monster Energy Kawasaki, and the KTM group typically utilize a factory Keihin unit. Although. Honda is slowly moving towards GET with their US factory operation, and there were rumors of Red Bull KTM racing with a Marelli ECU this season. Michael Lindsay

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Make vented front number plates great again. If you want one, hit up Anchor Tape. They did these for Haiden Deegan. Michael Lindsay

Another look at the ram-air style airbox lid that Haiden Deegan starting running in SMX. This was made by one of the Yamaha MXGP teams last year and is very common in that paddock. Michael Lindsay

Deegan was the only member of the 250 or 450 team in the US that had it equipped though. Michael Lindsay

How it feels to rev a Star Racing YZ250F... Michael Lindsay

Deegan has bounced around between shock compression adjuster designs during SMX. Michael Lindsay

Michael Lindsay

Left loosy, right tighty. Just kidding, there's not a sag adjustment going on here. They're actually measuring and adjusting the nitrogen pressure in the shock. 150 PSI is quite common, but some tuners will try 10-15psi different in each direction from time-to-time. Michael Lindsay

Cooper Webb is one of a very few riders in the pits who has a choice between cable and hydraulic clutches and chooses the hydro. Although, we have to admit, the GYTR hydro kit is really, really good on the YZ450F. Michael Lindsay

We just want a set of LSF forks for a day. Please? Michael Lindsay

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Still like the all blue of Star's amateur bikes over their blacked-out pro bikes. Michael Lindsay

The last dance for the TLD crew. The team has been disbanded after the final SMX round and we've heard pretty much everyone on the team has jobs heading into 2025. Michael Lindsay

The Last Dance also refers to the final Venom movie that TLD was promoting this weekend through their Sony Pictures sponsorship. A full bike and gear combo was in effect. Michael Lindsay

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Michael Lindsay

Flat black swingarms. Michael Lindsay

Major air needs. Michael Lindsay

More black. Michael Lindsay

Michael Lindsay

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Pierce Brown won the final SMX of the year and his first pro race aboard a set of modified WP production air forks. Michael Lindsay

More graphics details. Michael Lindsay

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Duel injecto fuel lines for the factory KTM/Husky/GasGas 250 engine packages. Michael Lindsay

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Venom kit. Michael Lindsay

Barcia is always feeling froggy. Michael Lindsay

Again, just a sick and unique shot. Octopi Media

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More WP air forks in SMX. Also note the holographic graphic kit that DeCal Works did for the final round of SMX. VERY NICE! Michael Lindsay

ClubMX went white for the final round, and it popped. Michael Lindsay

Fun fact, Coty Shock has earned number 37 for 2025 (he's sad to lose 69) but it's also the same number he earned after his breakout year in 2021. Due to injury, he never really got to race the 37 in 2022. Time for some redemption... Michael Lindsay

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Michael Lindsay

Coty Shock has also joined the Steg Pegz club. Michael Lindsay

Michael Lindsay

Phil Nicoletti was the most popular man in the pits, as he entered his last race of his last full-time season. Phil will be back for a race here and there, but we can gurnatee you none of them will be deathcross or deathcross-adjacent. Michael Lindsay

Michael Lindsay

Nicoletti chooses the flat-top style seat that GUTS has produced for the YZ450F. Michael Lindsay

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FTA went all out for his final kit. Michael Lindsay

FXR/FTA also went all out on Ryder Malinoski's kit for the SX All-Stars race. Michael Lindsay

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Michael Lindsay

We want. Michael Lindsay

Custom grooved tires are becoming more popular in the pits again. Michael Lindsay

As are scoops. Michael Lindsay

Big radiator core... Michael Lindsay

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Small radiator core. Michael Lindsay

Phil rides on with the whole team. Michael Lindsay

That's some serious polishing... Michael Lindsay

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Ken Roczen's Suzuki RM-Z450.

Ken's bike has yet to feature the electric starter the team teased on IG...but we wouldn't be shocked to see it come WSX. Michael Lindsay

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Michael Lindsay

KYB front and rear. Michael Lindsay

Michael Lindsay

Rafe is of Old Norse origin, and comes from the words rað (counsel) and ulfr (wolf). It can mean "counsel of the wolf" or "wise wolf. Michael Lindsay

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Michael Lindsay

This was new. The KJSC program is now partnered with Fly Racing instead of Troy Lee Designs. This will roll over into 2025 as well. Michael Lindsay

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Mitch Payton's Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki team dove head first into the Vegas theme. Octopi Media

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Drool... Octopi Media

We dig it. Octopi Media

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Just look at the detail. Octopi Media

Octopi Media

Octopi Media

Octopi Media

Octopi Media

Bell got in on the theme as well. Octopi Media

Love the Vegas/Pro Circuit sign. Octopi Media

Octopi Media

Yes, there's a limited edition Scott x Pro Circuit Prospect 2.0 goggle. Octopi Media

Las Vegas SMX marked the final race with Anderson as the lone rider for Monster Energy Kawasaki. He will be joined by two-time MXGP World Champion Jorge Prado in 2025. Octopi Media