The inaugural Indiana National hosts Round 11 of the 2014 Lucas Oil Motocross Championship series on Saturday and could very well introduce a champion in the 250 class but most certainly help shape the final standings, and offer insight into the showdown for the 450 class to end the year.
The unfamiliarity of the Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, IN for many riders in the series might bring some unexpected surprises from the field which could give MotoSport-sponsored rider Weston Peick his best chance to reach the podium.
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The points necessary to reach the podium each Round are exactly what Peick needs to end the season in the Top 5. His current battle is with Andrew Short who is just three points ahead in sixth-place. Eli Tomac shows no signs of letting up and Brett Metcalfe still gets inside the Top 10 every week adding significant points to his totals so for Peick to catch either of them in the standings he'll have to beat them to the finish line.
Weston Peick has a year-end battle with Andrew Short, Eli Tomac and Brett Metcalfe for a spot in the Top 5
MotoSport-sponsored rider Jimmy Albertson is still looking to finish in the Top 10 for a Moto. Last time out he didn't receive any points and fell out of the Top 20 in standings. That can be remedied this weekend if he can just tie his best of the season, 13th place, and do it twice.
Expect all eyes to be on Ken Roczen and Ryan Dungey. Roczen leads but you wouldn't know it based on the last few rounds. Dungey took the overall in the last three of four races including four Moto wins. His late season surge puts him just seven points behind Roczen and all the early momentum for the rookie has switched to the veteran. Unless Dungey fails to show up, the 450 Championship gets decided next week in Utah.
Jimmy Albertson can slip back into the Top 20 with a strong race on Saturday
Trey Canard won the first 450 Moto of his career last week and whatever changes he made during the break seem to be working as he grabbed second overall, his highest placement of the season and his first time on the podium since Round 4. Canard is 93 points ahead of Metcalfe and should lock up a spot on the final podium this weekend. He's still in the fight for the Championship but he'll need a lot of help.
In the 250s, Jason Anderson is out of contention for a final podium spot thanks to a crash at Washougal. He's received only seven points in the last four Motos and needs podium finishes, if not Moto wins, for the final two rounds to reach the Top 5.
Jason Anderson has had a rough time the last two Rounds
However, Joey Savatgy, Anderson's teammate on the MotoSport-sponsored Rockstar Energy KTM team, is simply killing it. Three straight Top 7 finishes and if he can finish the year riding just as strong he should end the season in the Top 10 or points.
Elsewhere in the 250s, it'll only be a surprise if Jeremy Martin doesn't wrap up the Championship on Saturday. He's got a commanding 66-point lead over Blake Baggett and a 74-point lead over Cooper Webb. Marvin Musquin is mathematically still in contention for the Championship but is 93 points back. Martin grabbed second overall last week including a Moto 2 win. If he ends Round 11 with a 51-point advantage over whoever is in second-place, Utah represents a victory lap for him.
Joey Savatgy is seeing great results in the last few Rounds
The bigger 250 race is between Baggett and Webb who have traded off the second- and third-place spots the last few rounds. It's unlikely Indiana finalizes the runner-up position for the season and neither the fourth-place Musquin, who swept Washougal, or fifth-place Christophe Pourcel who took the overall last week, can be counted out.
Moto 1 for Motocross Round 11 starts at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Ironman Raceway, 1389 W. 200 S. in Crawfordsville, IN.
