Swapmoto Live Podcast

Presented by Maxxis and Outhouse Coffee Co.

For most, it was the first weekend of the "off-season," but with the Motocross of Nations next weekend, plus the upcoming WSX World Championship and more approaching, there really isn't much time these days for rest. Last weekend we headed to Glen Helen to check out Ken Roczen racing the Champ Off-Road National Championships in a Pro 2 truck, spent Saturday night at Lake Elsinore Diamond Stadium for the Freestyle Kings, then returned to the tracks on Sunday for some riding and racing. Now, we head to Crawfordsville, Indiana, for the Motocross of Nations!

Ricky Johnson and Jeff Ward have been busier than ever lately, but the two legends of motocross were finally both in California long enough to return to the Swapmoto Live studios to get together for a couple of episodes of Podium to Present! This week, the guys invited legendary motocross designer Kenny Safford to join them to talk about his early days, starting with AXO Sport, where he and Jim Hale changed the way motocross brands looked and advertised. Enjoy part one...then stay tuned for part two in the coming weeks!

After 31 races, the 2025 Monster Energy Supermotocross World Championship has finally come to a close. In the 450 class, Jett Lawrence handily wrapped up his third consecutive title and remains the only racer to carry the number-one plate since the series' inception. In the 250 class, Jo Shimoda endured a barrage of attacks to earn the 250 SMX Championship and became the first Japanese racer to earn an American championship. Somehow, we survived the weekend to talk about it all!

Presented by 6D Racing

A couple of weeks ago, we were able to get in touch with John Gregory of the legendary JT Racing motocross apparel company from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, but we were cut short when his neighbor dropped in for a surprise visit. In this episode, we were able to track John down again and complete his memoirs about the glory years of JT Racing, the transition into JT Paintball, and ultimately selling the brand to retire.

The St. Louis round of the Monster Energy Supermotocross World Championship Playoffs yielded two boring motos and two motos that had us on the edge of our seats! Having two new winners in both the 250 and 450 classes was also a breath of fresh air, and it gave us plenty to talk about in this week's Kickstart Podcast by Maxxis Tires and Outhouse Coffee Co.!

Presented by Maxxis and Outhouse Coffee Co.

Last weekend, the Monster Energy Supermotocross World Championship Playoffs got underway in Concord, North Carolina, at xMAX Dragway, and severe weather forced the cancellation of the event after the first 250 and 450 motos were run. Four lightning strikes in the area initially halted the event, but the ongoing threat of lightning, plus steady rain and impending nightfall, finally did the race in. For the most part, racers were relieved, but the fans on hand were upset, demanding refunds and the like. There is no debating the fact that the race could not have run with the lack of lighting in the motocross section of the course outside of the stadium, and the course was challenging enough without throwing in mud and poor visibility into the mix. Eli Tomac told us after Friday's practice sessions that it was "The sketchiest track I have ever ridden on." Throughout the weekend, the track claimed many victims, including top riders like Malcolm Stewart, Seth Hammaker, Julien Beaumer, and Garrett Marchbanks. Jett Lawrence said after the race that the track had a limit that could not be pushed, and that you had "to take your medicine out there," in the rough conditions. We talk about that, and a lot more, in this week's Kickstart Podcast, presented by Maxxis and Outhouse Coffee Co.!

Presented by 6D Helmets

Last weekend at the Big Bear MX Grand Prix, I spotted a guy walking through the pits in a matching T-shirt and short pants, adorned with the JT Racing Bad Bones graphics that were made famous by Ron Lechien in the late 80s. Of course, the outfit was a modern offering from the licensing holders, but it got my mind reeling with memories of the glory days of JT Racing. That said, I shot a text and a photo I snapped of the guy to John Gregory, the man who founded JT Racing in 1968. Before I knew it, I had John on the phone for this podcast, which will eventually be part one with the man. Gregory lives on an isolated ranch in Idaho these days, and an unexpected visit from his neighbor ended up cutting our time short. Still, it was an entertaining chat and should be a great listen for anyone eld enough to remember the iconic brand. Enjoy!

Presented by Maxxis and Outhouse Coffee Co.

The 2025 SMX Playoffs get underway this weekend at zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina, and on this week's Kickstart Podcast presented by Maxxis Tires and Outhouse Coffee Co., we are joined by Sean Brennan from Feld to talk about some of the cool things to look forward to this weekend. What do you think of Justin Cooper being the number-one-seeded rider entering the three playoffs? Does a 25-point advantage matter with the double- and triple-points being awarded at rounds two and three? We had a good time on this week's show...enjoy!

Presented by Maxxis and Outhouse Coffee Co.

What a wild weekend we had, on both sides of the United States! The Pro Motocross Championships came to a close in Budds Creek, Maryland, with Haiden Deegan wrapping up his second consecutive 250 National Championship and closing out his small-bore racing career with a win. Jett Lawrence bookended the series with yet another victory in the 450 class. In Big Bear, California, meanwhile, the Swapmoto Race Series team put together the inaugural Big Bear MX Grand Prix by O'Neal, and 700 racers and thousands of spectators took over the Bear Mountain Ski Resort for one hell of a good time.

Presented by Maxxis and Outhouse Coffee Co.

Last weekend's penultimate Pro Motocross National at Unadilla MX challenged racers with a rough, fast, and somewhat dry track, and even Eli Tomac admitted that the high speeds were intimidating. Chase Curtis, Alex Ray, and Donn Maeda go over everything they saw, learned, and heard at Una-freakin'-dilla!