Bounce Back

Nate Thrasher is a rider of exceptional talent, but he can also be a bit mercurial at times. Since winning in Birmingham, he’s taken 19th and 14th in Foxborough and Philadelphia. He’s better than that and he’s going to get back on the podium sooner or later. Will he bounce back in East Rutherford, or will Thrasher have another frustrating night? -Hansel 

Plessinger Rising

It’s a fact that Aaron Plessinger excels in the mud, but it’s also a fact that winning, no matter the circumstances, can boost riders to a new level. That certainly seemed to be the case for Plessinger in his heat race last week when he caught and passed Cooper Webb to take the win. Unfortunately, Plessinger went down on the start of the main event, but that doesn’t diminish his heat race brilliance at all. Will Plessinger stay hot in MetLife Stadium on Saturday? -Hansel 

From DNQ to Fifth

Speaking of strong performances, Joey Savatgy’s skills were on full display in Philadelphia, just one week after not qualifying for the 450SX main event in Foxborough. It was Savatgy’s first main event since puncturing a lung and breaking some ribs in Indianapolis too, which makes this fifth place even more impressive. Savatgy is a supremely talented rider, but it doesn’t always show on paper. If he can avoid bad luck in East Rutherford, and get a good start, it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see him back in the top five. -Hansel

Related: East Rutherford SX is a Day Race - Check Out the Full Schedule

Race Craft and strategy

For Chase Sexton, Philadelphia presented a must-win situation. He came in trailing Cooper Webb by 15 points with just five races remaining. On the flipside, that points gap allowed Webb the luxury of not being forced to push it to keep his championship efforts on course. However, that will change if Sexton keeps winning. If Webb finds himself behind Sexton in East Rutherford, just like he was in Philadelphia, will he measure risk/reward and ride it in for second, or will he feel pressure to stop the bleeding? Strategy is going to become increasingly important, and entertaining, as the championship nears conclusion. -Hansel

Hometown Boy

New York native Justin Barcia has yet to land on the podium this year, but he has been close. He even led for a split-second last weekend before missing his rear brake in a turn and crashing. Barcia has not had a win for two years now, his last win? You guessed it, East Rutherford 2023. Some riders tend to ride better at certain venues. Even though he is dealing with a busted finger, will East Rutherford bring some magic back to Barcia’s season? -Sarah Whitmore