Would Tomac still have won...

History books show Eli’s done quite a bit more winning than Anderson and been much more consistent than Anderson. So could he have won still? Yes I’d say so.

Things were equal. They both lined up at A1 and have done so every round since. Eli came out on top.

So you’re asking if JA hadn’t finished behind ET those races could he have won the title? Uh yup. Regarding everything being equal. Pretty sure they started the series tied in points so not sure what wasn’t equal. JA hit the deck. Tomac never did.

The race that really nailed Anderson's championship coffin shut was the DNF in Detroit, which was not as a result of "aggressive riding"

Are you asking if Tomac beat Anderson or if Anderson beat Anderson?

Eli has been in protection mode for a few weeks now. At one point he was over a 2-race points lead. So with him playing it safe (and being a bit banged up) the last few weeks, he still wrapped it up a round early. So to me, if really wasn't that close. JA has been amazing this year, not taking credit away from him. But when you look at how everything played out, and knowing that Eli backed it down recently, he didn't luck into the title. Eli played it smart.

Seeing as how Eli had over a two race point lead with three rounds to go, nobody was beating him regardless of how you want to spin it. Eli did his work and is riding it out with a knee injury. If not for that, Anderson would probably have a win or two less this season as well. Awesome year for Jason. Eli is the champ and deservedly so. If anyone could beat him, they would have.

Eli backed it off the last couple weeks because of injury and essentially having the title wrapped up. Do you honestly think Eli went from being amazing mid season to being bleh the last couple races for no apparent reason what so ever?

JA has the shoulda, woulda, coulda thing going on. DNF and his on track mishaps with other riders definitely created a hole. If he didn't DNF, Tomac wouldn't have the opportunity to chill the last 3-4 rounds.

Jason is an amazing talent on the bike... absolutely unbelievable at times. He just has those lapses in judgement that mean the difference in a championship run. Tomac isn't perfect...but he's perfect enough. Gutted for Ando but like all the guys that lost to RC, JS, and MC...you gotta bring your A-game every time to just stay close.

Tomac has been in conservation mode because of his enormous lead. It would be different if the points were closer, BUT Tomac was still the Champion as soon as those 5 in a row happened.

The first rider to hit 6-7 main event wins in a season, takes home the title 98% of the time.

Eli Dominated the first 12 rounds - seven 1st places and two 2nd places. one 4th and two 6th. Think he came in 2nd and 3rd the next two rounds. I don't think Eli hit the ground a single time in a main?

Jason and Chase had unreal speed but both hit the ground way too many times

Eli was on the podium 11 times in the first 14 rounds . . . not sure if there is really anything to debate about the winner of the 2022 450 SX championship

Tomac didn't win the championship because of Anderson's issues with other riders, he won the championship because his 90% riding speed is Anderson's 100%, and Anderson can't touch Tomac's 100% without crashing.

Sure, incidents like Daytona and Indy hampered Anderson's points standings, but it wouldn't have mattered had he not been absolutely waxed by Eli at Detroit. That DNF was probably the single biggest hit to Anderson's championship hopes. Do you know why he went down? Tomac had caught and passed him from 7 positions down, and Anderson was trying desperately to keep up but it wasn't happening.

The fact that it took Tomac damaging his knee for Anderson to start winning again tells us all we need to know about this rivarly.

If my Aunt had balls.....

I think Anderson would’ve won easily if he scored more points than Eli.

Big Anderson fan, but there's a reason Tomac has far more championships right now. He's always there. Anderson impressed me alot this year though. Cool to see that they both have a great atmosphere right now, makes racing exciting