WadeRaynor
Welcome to the Vurbmoto Amateur Roundup where each week or so I will bring you the latest in amateur motocross along with content from social media.
I know all the loyal Amateur Roundup readers were eagerly awaiting this week’s edition, but I got shipped up to Boston for my way less fun 9 to 5 day job. Before I drove to Boston, I got to spend Saturday in East Rutherford for last weekend’s round of Monster Energy Supercross. Slaw Dog finally let me go to a race, but it was only because I was able to drive myself and he did not have to buy me a plane ticket. I even had to get my own ticket. [Slaw note: Facts!]
While you still can’t make a left turn or pump your own gas in New Jersey, we did end up getting a fantastic round of Supercross Futures at MetLife Stadium. Even though there was a looming thunderstorm all afternoon, we were able to get to the Supercross Futures main event in before the rain came, and it was certainly a good one. While we did have guys like Daxton Bennick and Julien Beaumer that have been to every round, being on the East Coast gave us an opportunity to see a few additional riders that we have not seen all season. Guys like Tyler Stepek, Trevor Colip, Avery Long and more made the trip to New Jersey for last weekend’s event.
Daxton Bennick
Daxton Bennick has been the most impressive rider in the Supercross Futures series in my personal opinion. He beat Haiden Deegan at the first round, he beat Ryder DiFrancesco in Arizona and New Jersey, and he nearly won last weekend after coming from the back. Ever since Daxton joined the Monster Energy/Star Racing Yamaha squad, he has been nothing but impressive and New Jersey was no exception. I believe if the main event was one lap longer, Dax would have passed Beaumer. He almost did in the right hand tun before the finish line as it was. Both Dax and JuJu have two wins a piece in the Supercross Futures series, but I look for Daxton to come out on top when it comes down to Salt Lake City for the final round.
Tyler Stepek
Like I said in the last edition of the Amateur Roundup, I might be a bit biased for my guy Tyler Stepek. But when it came down to it, Tyler got it done in New Jersey. He needed to finish 10th or better to acquire his last two Supercross points to get his SX License and he did just that. Tyler had a great start and avoided the first lap pileup that claimed Evan Ferry and I believe Avery Long plus a few others. Tyler ran third for most of the race, but Daxton Bennick made a pass on him in the right-hand turn before the finish line that didn’t allow Tyler to jump the finish line. With that, he ended up losing four spots before the next turn, leaving him in seventh where he remained until the end of the main event. When I talked to Tyler after the main, he said that he does not have that much Supercross experience, so he didn’t anticipate what was coming in the turn before the finish. Had he seen the pass coming, he may have been able to position himself so Daxton would not be able to block pass him and he could keep his momentum up to jump the finish line. Either way, this was a really good ride for Tyler, I hope others have noticed as well. I am excited to see how he does when he tries his first Supercross.
Killer picture by Adam Merrow:
Julien Beaumer
Next to Daxton Bennick, I believe that Julien Beaumer has been the second most impressive rider in the Supercross Futures. Between himself and Dax, they have won every Supercross Futures event this year. Julien got a great start in New Jersey and that was the end of it. He was consistent all day and it was no different in the main event. JuJu led from start to finish and aside from a last lap charge by Daxton Bennick, I don’t really believe he was ever in danger of losing the lead. With only the Supercross Futures finale left to go, I am excited to see Bennick and Beaumer line up next to each other one more time. I think we will have a great battle on our hands.
That is going to wrap up this edition of the Amateur Roundup, we have two weeks until the final round of Supercross Futures in Salt Lake City so we will keep an eye on the entry list for that final round. Hopefully a few of the East Coast guys are able to make the trip to Utah so we can see a good comparison between the two coasts. Until then, I am off to Nashville this weekend so I will see you there.
Main image: Yamaha
