The Racer X Podcast Network

Latest Episodes:

Exhaust #21: Broc Tickle Aug 09, 2018

Show notes

When Broc Tickle was provisionally suspended by the FIM for a failed anti-doping test under the WADA code, it rekindled all the complex conversations about drug testing in this sport. Fallout and finger-pointing came quickly, and even though many fans and industry sponsors pledged support for Tickle, he's still suspended for an indefinite matter of time, and he still lost his ride with Red Bull KTM. (Aldon Baker was Tickle's trainer at the time of the failed test, so his name often gets pulled into the fracas as well.) In June, we phoned Tickle to get his side of the story while researching a feature on the topic for the latest issue of Racer X Illustrated. That story—"Lights Out"—can be read in our September issue, out now. For this episode of the Racer X Exhaust podcast, we present the full interview with Tickle.

The Racer X Exhaust Podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

Exhaust #20: Growing Up Racing with McGrath, Cianciarulo, and Marchbanks Aug 02, 2018

Show notes

Each yeah at Loretta Lynn's, Jason Weigandt hosts a Kawasaki and THOR/Parts Unlimited panel session where pro riders take questions from amateur riders and parents. This year's panel featured Jeremy McGrath, Adam Cianciarulo, and Garrett Marchbanks—three riders representing three generations representing three different ways to enter the sport. McGrath's plan was totally unique, as he didn't even become a motocross racer until age 14 and famously likes to explain how badly he rode at Loretta Lynn's. Cianciarulo has 11 titles at the Ranch, tied for the most ever in the youth divisions, but did his riding and training in his native Florida. Recent graduate Marchbanks has several titles of his own but sacrificed much for them, leaving home at age eight to live at tracks and facilities and hone his craft. The three discuss their different paths into racing while taking questions from Weigandt and a collection of fans at the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Amateur Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn Ranch.

The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

2018 Washougal National Press Conferences Jul 29, 2018

Show notes

Post-race interviews from the Washougal National:

250 Class

Aaron Plessinger, Alex Martin, Justin Cooper, and Joey Savatgy

450 Class (09:17)

Eli Tomac, Marvin Musquin, and Ken Roczen

Exhaust #19: Totally Unprofessional (with Kevin Kelly) Jul 26, 2018

Show notes

You can get a one-week window into the world of amateur motocross racing via the annual Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Amateur Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn Ranch. That's what Jason Weigandt does, having announced the race for the last 13 years alongside DMXS Radio's Kevin Kelly. Kelly, though, also announces about a dozen other big amateur events each year. Want to know who to watch at Loretta's? Kevin knows. So after Weigandt has made approximately 300,000 appearances on Kevin's DMXS show, he called Kevin to appear on this one.

For a much more in-depth look at Loretta's, also check out Brett Smith's epic "How We Got Here" podcast for the inside story of how the event began in 1982. There's never been another motocross podcast like this one. Look for it in this very podcast feed; it was published on July 16.

The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

Staff Meeting: X Games, Marketing, and Beyond Jul 25, 2018

Show notes

The truth is, we could barely keep Racer X Online afloat last week, as co-bossman Chase Stallo was gone all week working for ESPN's X Games. Jason Weigandt did his best to keep the creative juices flowing on his own, but by this week, both men were spent. So they did what they usually do: picked up the phone to try to figure some stuff out. The only difference is that they recorded that conversation this time. Welcome to a new podcast, Staff Meeting, a part of the Racer X Podcast Network. In this one, Stallo and Weigandt discuss the evolution of X Games and end up tackling other major topics in the sport: Does social media actually sell product? Do TV ratings matter so much anymore? Why do riders in the 450 class get so much more scrutiny than 250 riders? And why has Eli Tomac chosen not to get block-pass revenge on Marvin Musquin?

From now on, we're making Racer X Staff Meetings your meetings too. Listen in to hear some professional bench-racing (because it's our job to discuss dirt bikes 24/7).

2018 Spring Creek National Press Conferences Jul 22, 2018

Show notes

Post-race interviews from the Spring Creek National:

250 Class

Aaron Plessinger, Alex Martin, and Justin Cooper

450 Class (06:56)

Eli Tomac, Ken Roczen, Marvin Musquin

Exhaust #18: Pingree on the New Bikes Jul 19, 2018

Show notes

The last month has witnessed a flood of new-bike press releases from the major manufacturers—so much so that it might be hard to remember what's new. Which 2019s have really advanced and which ones are sporting "revised settings" to go along with "bold new graphics?" Jason Weigandt chats up David Pingree to find out, and further, they start talking about key topics such as all-new bikes versus refined older models, the difference between Husqvarnas and KTMs, and more. Weigandt also spills some inside scoop that he learned about the RedBud Motocross of Nations over the weekend. Enjoy!

The Racer X Exhaust podcast is brought to you by Yoshimura.

How We Got Here: The Origins of Loretta Lynn's MX Jul 16, 2018

Show notes

In the early 1980s, a trio of motorcycle racing promoters from Ohio and West Virginia were looking for a facility. A country music legend needed to fill a campground. A sanctioning body wanted more members and a marquee event. And amateur motocross racers wanted a true and fair national championship.

In this special edition of the Racer X Podcast, Brett Smith of @wewentfast takes us on a documentary-style journey into the genesis of the Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn Ranch and what (amateur racing) life was like before 1982. Characters include Ron and Dick Lechien, Davey Coombs, Rita Coombs, Todd DeHoop, Tim Cotter, Rick "Super Hunky" Sieman, and more.

Exhaust #17: Humble Roots with Justin Brayton Jul 12, 2018

Show notes

We all know Justin Brayton didn't do it like others did. Brayton wasn't an amateur star, and as a teenager he had zero thoughts about actually making a living in the sport. He just loved dirt bikes, and he loved doing the work, so he kept improving, and it all worked out. But while we all know that about Brayton, do we actually know what his bizarre path really looked like? In this episode of the Racer X Exhaust Podcast, Brayton talks about him humble roots riding in Iowa, from not even having dirt bikes for part of his youth to riding so badly that he was literally a lapper at the local level. From there to here, it's been quite a road for the Smartop/Bullfrog Spas/MotoConcepts Honda rider and 2018 Daytona Supercross winner. While talking to Brayton, we also ran into a next-generation kid with very similar Iowa roots, Cameron McAdoo, who is trying to find his footing as a pro with GEICO Honda. For McAdoo—heck, for everyone—Brayton's is an inspiring story, and he tells it in this episode.

The Racer X Exhaust Podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

2018 RedBud National Press Conference Jul 08, 2018

Show notes

Post-race interviews from the RedBud National:

450 Class

Eli Tomac, Marvin Musquin and Justin Barcia

250 Class (12:08)

Dylan Ferrandis, Alex Martin and Shane McElrath