Of all the riders with new rides, who do you think will be the most successful indoors in '09?
"I think Chad Reed will have a great year on the Suzuki, but Stewart is just too fast on a motorcycle to bet against...too fast on any motorcycle!" -Jesse
"Honda's new bike is an SX weapon, and if the riders don't crash..." -Jimmy
"I know that Stewart and Reed are on new teams, but one kid with a ton of SX potential is Josh Grant. He has a solid program with his new JGRMX YZ450F, and if he stays healthy, I think he'll have some strong results." -Chris
"Villopoto. I think Stewart is going to crash out. I hope he doesn't, but he will." -Joe
"Broc Hepler might live up to all that potential this year and surprise everyone." -Pete
What's one annoying thing about supercross that you hope you don't see this year?
"Oh, jeez. There's so many. How about the drunk morons ruining the event for kids whose parents are cool enough to take them to a motorcycle race by being complete idiots in the stands? That really pisses me off." -Jesse
"Stupid rider intros. It's not their fault, but seeing racers roll onto the track in flashy cars with hip-hop blasting while wearing feathered boas makes me feel like I'm at a WWF event." -Chris
"I'm ready for something other than cheesy fireworks. This isn't Monster Trucks!" -Joe
"The continued elimination of the semi races. Bring those back for more race action in the night." -Pete
"Drunk, loud and obnoxious fans and, my personal favorite, getting doused with beer." -Karel
What are you looking forward to most about supercross?
"I'd like to say it's the racing and the cute girls, but both of those will likely play second fiddle to the Supercross Voice Guy!" -Jesse
"Some easy tracks and some bar to bar. And not just for the riders!" -Jimmy
"Now that the KTM Junior SX is out, I'm looking forward to the new halftime entertainment. If my sources are correct, it's right up my alley!" -Chris
"I love the racing, because you never know what's going to happen. Every round is a toss-up." -Joe
"I'd love to see one of the young guys moving up challenge for the title. And I think Travis Preston should give everyone's podium speech." -Pete
"Seeing all the trick bikes and parts, and hopefully new faces in the winner's circle." -Karel
Describe the '09 season in five words.
"Are You Ready For SUUUUUUUPPPPPEEERRRCROOOOOOOSSSSS!?" -Jesse
"Supercrossaliscious." -Jimmy
"Other people drinking overpriced beer." -Chris
"Almost as cool as EnduroCross." -Joe
"Bubba, Bubba, Bubba, Bubba, Bubba!" -Reid
"Those guys are #%*&@ crazy!" -Pete
"Fun to watch, not do." -Karel
Dropping In On: Josh Grant And Cody Cooper
The two new riders on the Joe Gibbs Racing team for 2009 are also new to the team's bike, the Yamaha YZ450F. Josh Grant moves up from the 250F class where he rode red, and Cody Cooper slides over from a privateer Suzuki 450. We dropped in on them at a recent Yamaha Media Day where they gave us a few minutes between eating Yamaburgers and playing Yama Ping-Pong. For more from them and several other Yamaha racers, check out the blogs at www.dirtrider.com.
Josh Grant
DR: How long have you been riding on the 450s?
JG: For about a couple months now. I had a few races that I did back last supercross season, and that was really it, so this is my first real go at the 450.
DR: I mean before that, practicing on them, getting a feel for them?
JG: I've been racing on them since amateurs. That's usually what you do when you go up through the ranks.
DR: What's the toughest thing about adapting your style to the 450?
JG: Nothing. I think my style is suited for a 450, and that's what I think is gonna bring success to this year.
DR: What are your goals for 2009?
JG: To get on the podium a few times and hopefully try to get some race wins and stay up in the point chase.