Andrea's Angle: Nashville
April 25, 2024
Welcome back to Andrea's Angle, a column showcasing my perspective as a newbie to Supercross. Here are some of my notes from Nashville!
Carnage and Shake Ups
The racing was PACKED with carnage, largely due to slick conditions after the track was left uncovered during an unforecasted rainstorm early Saturday morning. It was especially disastrous in the 250s, since both East and West were present for the showdown. Garrett Marchbanks had a crash off the start of the West Heat Race, resulting in the race being red flagged. He was taken off the track on a backboard, but was later reported to be okay - just a concussion and a broken thumb.
Kawasaki was much less lucky with their two frontrunner riders, Cameron McAdoo and Levi Kitchen. McAdoo sustained a shoulder injury in qualifying, which was solidified in early in the main during a collision with his West Coast counterpart, Levi Kitchen. It had a devastating impact on the points - both of them lost their red plates. Kitchen, who ended up being run over when he went down, still salvaged some points by getting up after the crash and finishing 18th. He went to the hospital after to check out potentially broken ribs, but said in an Instagram post that it's not over yet. He has a week to recover a bit, and we'll see what kind of stand he can make in Denver.
As for the 450s, we first saw Chase Sexton go down in a corner, after a rock allegedly "cracked his throttle body". He didn't sustain any major injuries, and will be back to race this weekend. Then, we saw a surreal crash from Ken Roczen. His bike started smoking after he tripled into the whoops section. Apparently, the rear shock broke, which messed up the suspension and cause the bike to essentially "pogo stick", throwing him off the bike.
Children of the Riders
Due to the setup of Nissan Stadium, many relatives / guests of the riders were sitting alongside the media in the Press Box. Something unique and unfortunate I witnessed was a child of a rider both cheering and getting upset for their father. At first, they were getting excited because "Daddy passed someone!" But then, things turned and my heart broke hearing them start crying when their "Daddy went down".
It's something I often overlook - I can put myself in a rider's significant others shoes, but forget that their children may also watch the races and be invested. It must be so hard to be that young and watch your parent put themselves in harms way every weekend. I wonder how that affects them as they age, and I feel for them.
Opening Ceremony
We had a very cool opening ceremony this week! Firstly, love the powder colored fireworks they do when we have an outdoor race and it's still light out.
Additionally, we look up and there are professionals parachuting into the stadium! Was surreal to see from up in the stands.
Opening ceremonies here in Nashville! #Supercross #SupercrossLIVE #SMX pic.twitter.com/NR6XPU8P1D
— Andrea Ruggiero (@andreamotonow) April 20, 2024
Every week, I'm stuck in an odd dichotomy of thinking the display is cool and appreciating the fireworks and singing, but feeling uncomfortable participating in an extreme display of American pride given my lack thereof (ex: active funding and support of a genocide, women's bodily autonomy being legislated away, etc). It's hard to reconcile these feelings since fans / the industry in general tend to lean... patriotic, and I fear being ostracized if I express them in this venue.
Some wishful thinking - I would love the industry to evolve to become more progressive. I personally think it would help grow the sport. But I fear it's a looooong way off.
Until next week,
Andrea Ruggiero
