Troy Dog
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Each week, Slaw, Troy, Ginger Dog, and Denny Stephenson will come up with some topics and then list the riders most likely to accomplish those feats. Hence the title “Most Likely”. Most would call us brilliant.
Where do you most likely see Colt Nichols finishing this weekend in his HEP Suzuki debut?
T-Dog: I don’t think it’s going to go that great for Nichols as far as setting the world on fire. I don’t see him running up front on a new bike, especially this late into the outdoor season. This weekend will be a success if Nichols can score points in both of the motos, which is what he’s more than capable of doing. Let’s go with 16-14 moto scores on the day for 15th overall.
Slaw: Ummm… 15th?!?! I honestly have no clue. It’s a new bike, he hasn’t raced all summer and giving this field that many rounds isn’t a great recipe for success. Top 15 would be a in for Nichols in my book.
Parker Ross is making his pro debut this weekend, where do you most likely see him fitting in?
T-Dog: I dig that Parker is jumping into the deep end immediately after Loretta Lynn’s, while some of his competitors are waiting for Ironmnan. This is the old school route! Turning pro immediately after. It’s going to be tough to get into the top twenty as we have factory riders at every race on the backend of the points Let’s put him at 18-15 for his motos and whatver that puts him in the overall.
Slaw: 15-20. The 250 field is DEEP. At the last round at Washougal, which seems like 15 years ago, Max Anstie, Dilan Schwartz, Casey Cochran and Jordon Smith finished 13-16. Like I said, DEEP. If Parker can get near that level, it will be a good weekend.
Shane McElrath is making his debut with the Madd Parts Kawasaki team. Will Sugar Shane most likely put it in the top ten?
T-Dog: I don’t see a top ten in Sugar’s future at Unadilla, especially with Cooper Webb and Ken Roczen coming back into the mix. He’s definitely a lock for the top fifteen and right outside of the top ten though. He’ll get better with time. The Madd Parts Kawasaki team has made some big moves over the past year. This is just another step in the right direction.
Slaw: I feel like Shane has ridden for 50 teams on 10 different bikes since going to the 450 Class. That’s tough sledding. To answer, no top 10 for Sugar Shane.
Will Phil Nicoletti most likely be honored with a statue of himself this weekend in his last stop to Unadilla as a racer?
T-Dog: Yes, if he isn’t then we all need to do something about this. I would expect the statue to be made out of marble since Phil is sophisticated and likes to drink wine.
Slaw: HALL OF FAME STATUE OUTSIDE DILLA. MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Coty Schock is making his return to racing this weekend, will he most likely or most likely not pick back up within the top fifteen after a broken wrist?
T-Dog: Yeah, I’m never counting out Coty Schock or his doctors ever again, especially after his Indianapolis SX collarbone performance. Schock will return and will be up in the mix inside of the top fifteen.
Slaw: See above regarding Ross.If Schocker can snag a top 15, it will be a successful return.
Ken Roczen is back! Is he most likely going to get a moto win before the season is over?
T-Dog: If Kenny wouldn’t have come back and almost won High Point last year then I would say no, but he was the closest rider to beating Jett Lawrence all season. So, yeah, bring on a moto win for Roczen. His move to the 250 class at Ironman is going to definitely shake things up. I don’t see him winning that, but its Roczen, you never know.
Slaw: Moto win? Sure, why not. Ken is Ken. Look at what he did at High Point last year when he came off the couch. Kenny wouldn’t be racing this weekend if he didn’t think he could win.
Garrett Marchbanks will make his debut with the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki team this weekend, will he most likely make the top ten overall in a stacked 250 class?
T-Dog: Yes, this move to the 250 for outdoors isn’t going to be a rough move. He’s on a Pro Circuit rocket ship, so he’s going to be fine. He’s learned a lot from the 450 class and he’s going to bring that success to this new ride, just like his new teammate Ty Masterpool did.
Slaw: I think so. But it’s going to be tough.
Which friendship is most likely the most odd? Chad Reed and James Stewart or Ryan Villopoto and Jason Lawrence?
T-Dog: The Stew and Reed friendship is something that I never saw happening. It’s very cool to see that now, but man I thought there was no chance 20 years ago. It was cool to see RV cheering on J-Law at Loretta Lynn’s. I never really thought about those two broing down either, but RV is a changed man in his retirement and I want to party with him. Now, if J-Law and Ryan Dungey somehow become buddies then I’m ranking them over Stew and Reed.
Slaw: Reed and Stew. If you say different, you don’t know moto.
Main Image: Octopi Media
