Troy Dog
Welcome to the Vurbmoto Roundtable! It’s a feature we had in the early days and now it’s such a legend that it makes a return. Our panel of experts, Bird and T-Dog, give their best opinion on hot topics in the sport. We also let Slaw give his opinion, but no one cares what he has to say. Let’s get to it!
We made it guys! It’s Spring Break! We’ve seen many memorable races at Daytona over the years. What is your all-time favorite race or memory from Daytoner?
Bird Dog (Windham Fan): Tomac wheelie through the rollers was iconic. James Stewart’s wall launch (or whatever people call it) was ridiculous. But, I’ve always been attached to the story behind our sport. The highs and lows of racing are unrivaled by any traditional sport. So while the above mentioned feats were cool, and will likely be covered by T-Dog and Slaw because they are low hanging fruit, I’m going with Chad Reed in 2008. It was the wettest I can remember seeing Daytona and Reed had lapped all the way up to 5th before sinking his bike and DNF’ing the race, giving Windham some much needed points. Reed would go onto win the championship over Windham, but that race closed the gap and made the rest of the series a helluva lot more interesting.
Troy Dog (Stew Fan): Bird covered my most memorable Daytona race, so I’ll go a different direction. I’m a Stew fan. I could always count on Stew to do something memorable at Daytona, whether if that was winning or jumping something huge. My most memorable Daytona race was 2009 when Stew crashed off the start and Vurb’s own Jason Lawrence led for most of the race in his 450SX debut. Chad Reed came from midpack to win and get redemption from 2008. Stew charged from last with no visor and a twisted front end to get seventh on the night.
Slaw Dog (Limp Bizkit Fan): Tomac going bonkers through the whoops that one year with GEICO Honda. I literally don’t even remember if he won that night. Just that clip with some Limp Bizkit will make grown men cry and think about the good ole days of JNCO’s and red caps.
We have realistically seven 450SX title contenders within 19 points. You know what they (RC) say, the series doesn’t start until after Daytona. Who is your 450 Champion by the end of this thing?
Bird Dog (Official T-Dog Squad ELITE Athlete): It’s weird how much of a crowd favorite Jett Lawrence was coming into this year and how much he’s seemed to fall. Tomac got dad pissed last week, which brought back memories of my old man as a kid. Dad power isn’t something to be trifled with. And while I do think Tomac takes the dub and remains the King of Daytona, and Cooper Webb, Roczen, Anderson, Sexton and the rest of the contenders have looked amazing, I think Jett is going to put it all together at the end of the day and take the title. He’s clearly the most dialed rider on the track and while he’s had his share of rookie mistakes, he will clean that up as we head into the second half of the series and end up taking the title by double digits.
Troy Dog (Creator of THE Squad): I don’t like that my beautiful mind came up with this dumb question because all seven of them have a really great chance of pulling it off. One week the tide changes to give another rider more momentum and the next week to another. I feel like Jett Lawrence and Cooper Webb have been the two top guys for the the majority of this series so far. Yet, here comes Tomac to peak at the right time. That Arlington ride was an all-time ride for him and that’s saying something. I won’t waffle my own question, but I say Tomac gets redemption on this Championship this year.
Slaw Dog (NOT a T-Dog Squad Athlete): It finally happened. The series is ACTUALLY starting after Daytona. It only took 35 years. Anyhow, I got Webb. Something is in the works with the Webb Dawg. He smells blood. He needs a decent finish (not his best track) this weekend and then he will go on a run to the title.
Who do you think called Eli Tomac old and pissed him off so badly?
Bird Dog (Not Old): As an aging individual myself, and someone who struggles with athletes foot (proving that I am in fact an athlete), I empathize with Tomac. Getting old is cool in a lot of ways, but in the eyes of highly accomplished, motivated athletes like Tomac and myself, it pisses you off when people call you old and younger kids are coming to take your crown. Tomac is using this narrative as locker room material, turning a negative into motivation. All the greats like Tomac and I do it. It’s a technique of champions (like me and Tomac).
Troy Dog (Young Pup): I wrote an AMAZING piece on Eli earlier this week actually. I’m pretty sure it’s up for an AMA award. I was discussing this very question. I STILL DON’T KNOW! I’ve not seen any comments reflecting Tomac’s age, nor have I heard any of his competitors say it. So, who did it? Is this a motivation tactic that Eli has made up in his head as he pounds practice lap after practice lap? Whatever happened, or whoever called them that should be sent the Daytona trophy this weekend. I have my ideas on who it was, but I won’t say his name (Slaw).
Slaw Dog (Super Old): Probably Troy. I think he wrote something dumb, per usual.
Main Image: Octopi Media
