Howdy y'all and welcome back to MotoSport.com Gear Head weekly observations! This is the stunning and dramatic Gear Head Ryan Roberts back at it with all the takes from Round 7 of Monster Energy AMA Supercross from Dallas, Texas!
What seemed like what was going to be two uneventful main events turned into edge of your seat races that really brought out some drama. And just to get things started, I refer to this race as Dallas and not Arlington because the race is in the Dallas metroplex and everyone knows where Dallas is, no one outside of Dallas knows where Arlington is. Jett Lawrence in the 450 and Austin Forkner in the 250 class both going down while leading with just a couple laps to go has changed the course of both series. Granted, Austin's crash was way more severe than Jett's and he is going to be out for a while, but it did change a lot in that moment.
Haiden Deegan got his first win in the 250 class and that was a huge deal for him, and I wish him congrats on achieving that massive milestone, but there is something about him that I find to be annoying. I also have to remind myself he is 18 and, I am definitely not, but during his podium speech when he said, "Welcome to the Danger Zone," it sounded like the most fake, T Shirt slogan thing ever. It didn't feel genuine and sounded like something he saw on a bumper sticker on the way to the stadium. What he said about Austin's crash sounded like he was bagging on him, but I think it was also just an 18-year-old not knowing how to convey his message well. Personally, I don't think it was malicious at all and in the moment he just didn't speak well. I wish Haiden all the success in the world since he is probably the most promising US rider we have in the pipeline, but I hope the maturing process speeds up with him. Maybe we have also gotten unreasonable expectations since Jett is only a couple years older and way more mature, but Haiden definitely has some growing to do.
On the Austin Forkner front, does someone need to take his helmet away from him? I am pulling for the guy but he didn't make it two races this season before he is hurt again. For some reason he is just one of those riders that can't stay healthy. He is incredibly fast and can win titles if he can stay healthy, but he can't stay healthy. In 2021 he made 2 races, 2022 5 races, 2023 2 races, and 2024 almost 2 races in Supercross. Maybe for his long term health and well being he needs to try something new?
When Jett Lawrence got the hole shot I immediately texted my dad and told him the race was over. For the most part I was right, except I didn't know that Jett was going to throw it away with 2 laps to go. Cooper Webb getting his second win of the season was a big deal, but everyone that watched that race knew by far who really won that race. Jett still has the point lead and going into to Daytona he has a great shot of extending that lead. He hasn't lost an outdoor 450 race ever and Daytona is as close to outdoors as we get so if I am betting money on who wins this weekend, give me Jett. I still don't see any scenario in this series that Jett doesn't win it all. He has had some issues coming through the pack if he gets a bad start, but he is still has the best shot of winning maybe half the races left and taking home the title.
That is it for round 7 of the AMA Monster energy Supercross series. This is your favorite Gear Head Ryan Roberts checking out and remember kids, if you need anything for any bike, dirt or street, ATV, UTV, just hit up any Gear Head at MotoSport.com and we will get you hooked up! We will see you on the beaches of Daytona next weekend!
