The Racer X Podcast Network Podcast

The Racer X Podcast Network

Jason Weigandt and the Racer X Illustrated/Racer X Online editorial staff
A podcast from Jason Weigandt and the editorial staff of Racer X Illustrated and Racer X Online covering motocross, supercross, and dirt bike culture.
Exhaust #274: Monster Energy Supercross Preview Show
Jason Weigandt, Jason Thomas and Steve Matthes have been previewing the Monster Energy Supercross season for a dozen-plus years now, and the show returns for 2025 with Monster Energy, Maxima, Fly Racing and Motosport.com on board. This is the audio version of the five-part video series. This year's arguments include: If Eli Tomac is better now than he was early in 2024 and is that good enough now to challenge and beat Jett Lawrence? Are Chase Sexton's bike issues fixed? Will Jett Lawrence embracing the haters impact his results long term or short term? Is Hunter Lawrence part of the elite group that can win 450SX races on any night? Did we diss out Ken Roczen by leaving him until show 3? Everyone agrees that Cooper Webb will be a contender, now and forever, but there are many, many more arguments to have, now and forever. Enjoy the full kit right here in podcast format.  The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura and Racer X brand.
Jan 3
2 hr 33 min
Exhaust #273: Kyle Peters' Record Bid Ends
Kyle Peters has been almost there in AMA Supercross his entire career. There might be no rider with more seventh-place 250SX finishes than Kyle, who was is good but couldn't quite get over the hump to net race win or title bid. Then he found a new home in AMA Arenacross and hasn't stopped winning, with five-straight championships pulling him even with Buddy Antunez and the all-time mark in the series. His bid for a record sixth-straight, though, has ended due to a neck injury. Jason Weigandt Kyle to ask about his status going forward from here. Hint: he works a real job in the summer and dirt bikes are way better! The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.
Jan 3
25 min
Exhaust #272: SMX Media Days Wrap Up
Anaheim and the 2025 SMX season will be here in just over a month. Jason Weigandt got to attend media sessions held all week at Angel Stadium with the top riders giving updates on their off-season prep. No recordings, but Weege sums it up as best he can. Then, as a bonus, Josh Greco's insane tale of racing the Baja 1000 solo. 27-straight hours on a bike! You absolutely have to hear this one! The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura and Racer X Brand.
Dec 6, 2024
52 min
Exhaust #271: What Happened to KTM?
Since the second quarter of 2024, the industry has been filled with rumors of Pierer Mobility, the parent company of the KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas brands, running into slowing sales, an overstock of product and ultimately major financial troubles. The strong boost in powersports, bicycle, and overall outdoor recreation sales seen after the pandemic have slowed, and aggressive sales targets have suddenly become difficult to meet. While none of those dealings behind the scenes had yet impacted what the consumer sees with products—the brands continue to innovate with quite a few new machines for 2025—or on the race track, it’s becoming more and more clear the company will need major changes to continue into the future.   Jason Weigandt explains the "never waste a good crisis" mode the company was in after the pandemic, the boom that followed, and the struggle today that led the company to declare itself insolvent in Europe. It won't impact racing or motorcycle availability here in America, yet, at least beyond the cuts that were already put into motion over the last few weeks and months. But these are tough roads ahead. Is it a sign of bigger trouble in the industry, or is this just a KTM-specific issue?   The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura and Racer X Brand.
Nov 27, 2024
42 min
Exhaust #270: Jorge Prado On Monster Energy Kawasaki Deal
A nail-biting quest for the 2024 MXGP World Championship was only part of Jorge Prado's whirlwind year, as he was also shopping for a ride in America with plans to race full-time SMX in 2025. After racing the first four rounds of Monster Energy Supercross in '24, he actually signed with Monster Energy Kawasaki before he headed back to Europe to pursue another MXGP crown. After that the full focus went to motocross back home, until now, when he can finally reveal his plans for 2025 and beyond.   Jason Weigandt caught up with Prado to learn about what it took to get here, and what he hopes to accomplish.   The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura and Racer X Brand.
Nov 18, 2024
37 min
Exhaust #269: Arenacross Tries Electric
"All of your guys were around when four-strokes came out," said the AMA's Mike Burkeen in Thursday night's AMA Arenacross press conference. "The rules were made and it turns out they weren't very good. They basically killed off the two-strokes. Once it happened we couldn't put the genie back in the bottle. With the electric bikes we didn't want to go full-bore and then just cut it off if we find out it doesn't work. Because everyone has made purchasing decisions already, then we'll have all these guys that they bought under what they would say were bad pretenses. So we want to walk before we run, but we definitely want to run. What that looks like? Nobody knows?" Arenacross can serve as the testing ground to see where electric could fit, so a new stand-alone class for Stark Varg electric bikes has will fit into the Arenacross structure for 2024-2025. Have a listen to last night's press conference as the series explains the new class, and hear from riders like Josh Hill and Justin Bogle. Don't worry, the traditional AMA Arenacross class for 250s and 450s remains, with Kyle Peters trying to hold off riders like Ryan Breece and Vince Friese to notch a record sixth-straight championship. But in the Dash for Cash, it will be electric versus combustion! All the stars are here to talk about their prospects before tonight's season opener in Reno, Nevada. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura and Racer X Brand.
Nov 15, 2024
55 min
Exhaust #268: Jordon Smith is Here to Stay
Few remember that in 2019, when Austin Forkner was ascending in the sport and threatening a perfect season in 250SX East Region, that Jordon Smith was actually the closest rider to him. Forkner's eventual ACL injury and a title for a young Chase Sexton later become the story. By then, Smith had hurt his wrist, and struggled for years to solve that injury. In fact, he thought his career might be over.  After missing major chunks of racing over the next few seasons, including two frustrating seasons with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki, he took the pressure off during a brief run with Firepower Honda.  Then Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing called, and Jordon's career rebuild was really taking shape. Now he's got a new deal with Triumph that could stretch to three years and the 450 Class. Jason Weigandt rings him up for this podcast. The Racer X Exhaust is presented by Yoshimura and Racer X Brand.
Nov 14, 2024
43 min
Exhaust #267: Silly Season and Scuba Steve from Triumph
New team deals are getting announced later than ever, as we still await Monster Energy Kawasaki announcing its new deal with Jorge Prado for the 450 class in 2025. But Triumph just announced its 2025 team, featuring Austin Forkner, Stilez Robertson, Jordon Smith and the returning Jalek Swoll. We also have seen Pierce Brown on his new Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing machine, and know that Star is signing new amateur talent like Caden Dudney. Plus GasGas moves away from Troy Lee Designs and into the same program as Rockstar Husqvarna, including Rockstar sponsorship. Jason Weigandt talks about all of these moves, and then talks to Triumph U.S. Team Manager "Scuba" Steve Westfall to hear how Year 1 went for the new brand. Scuba doesn't hold back! The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura and Racer X brand.
Nov 1, 2024
58 min
Exhaust #266: What Happened to Max Vohland?
Maximus Vohland is a second-generation rider, the son of former AMA National and Supercross winner Tallon Vohland. That would make it seem like his path to the pros has been easy, but you'll find that is absolutely not the case. Jason Weigandt catches up with Max, who is just getting back on the bike after a hip injury ruined his 2024 season. The injury left Max with extreme nerve pain, and fighting to fight off the potential of getting addicted to pain medication. That's not all. In this podcast Max will explain how his plan to race EMX in Europe as an amateur that washed away with COVID. He'll also talk about his sister's traumatic brain injury suffered while riding a horse, and how her own comeback trail has inspired him to keep fighting. Max's goal? Get to the podium, make some money and buy his sister a horse!  The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura. Also, subscribe to Racer X Illustrated and get our new 2025 calendar coming soon!
Oct 24, 2024
42 min
Exhaust #265: Latest MXoN Wrap Up Ever
The 2024 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations was an awesome event, but even the incredible emotional highs of that day have begun to fade nearly two weeks later. But Jason Weigandt isn't done talking about it -- or talking about anything, ever -- so now that he's home he logs this wrap up for the MXoN weekend. From the team and race results, to the atmopshere of the race, to the MXGP team set ups and even some cultural observations, Weege wraps up an unforgettable event that pretty much marked the 100th year of motorcycle scrambles racing in England. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura and Racer X Brand.
Oct 18, 2024
39 min
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