Storylines To Watch | Monster Energy Supercross 2024

As we’re this close to the gate dropping on the 2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season, which kicks off the ’24 SuperMotocross World Championship, talk around the Monster Energy HQ water cooler led to a number of questions – and answers – for the top upcoming season storylines.

Here’s a look at some of the more interesting storylines for Monster Energy athletes as we head into Round One of the series at Anaheim’s (Calif.) Angels Stadium, Jan. 6.

Eli Tomac vs. Jett Lawrence… The 450 heavyweights everyone’s coming to see. Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha’s Tomac, coming off probably the best year in SX/MX history in 2022 where he won both the SX and MX championships, led Team USA to its first MX Des Nations title in a decade AND won ESPN’s ESPY award for the Action Sports Best Male Athlete, was injured at the end of the 2023 SX season in Denver. The lower leg kept Tomac on the sidelines for the end of the ’23 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season (which he would have likely won), and all the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, plus the SuperMotocross World Championships. With Tomac on the sidelines, Lawrence (Honda) ran the table outdoors in his first year on 450s, and lines up at Anaheim 1 as a 450 class SX rookie. Get your popcorn for this one as the No. 2 all-time SX winner, Tomac (51, behind Monster Energy’s Jeremy McGrath’s 72), looks to put a halt to Lawrence’s momentum.

All Hail Haiden!... What a freshman year for “Danger Boy” Haiden Deegan had in 2023. 2nd place runner-up in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross’ 250 ESX class, then followed that up with the SuperMotocross World Championship’s inaugural 250 class champion. And with 250 ESX class champ Hunter Lawrence (Honda) graduating to the 450s (along with his 250 WSX champ brother, Jett), Deegan returns as the odd-on favorite to win his first 250 class (be it ESX or WSX) title. But besides all that, Deegan is, without a doubt, one of the most electric 250 class racers to come along in some time. So the eyes would be on him anyway.

Kitchen from Yamaha to Pro Circuit… It wasn’t long ago, along the lazy banks of mid-Tennessee’s Hurricane Creek, that Washougal, Washington’s Levi Kitchen was named as the nation’s top AMA Amateur Motocross racer. The following year (’21) he was awarded the Nicky Hayden AMA Horizon Award. And the year after that, his first racing the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, Kitchen was awarded the Marty Smith Rookie of the Year trophy. Given that lofty pedigree, and the fact Kitchen, racing for Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha, placed 3rd in 250 WSX last year, Mitch Payton’s Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team certainly landed a 250 class ringer for 2024. And with the ’23 250 WSX champ moving up to the 450s, the Kitchen table is set for a thrilling title run.

The ’24 Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha 250 team is huge… And loaded with talent. No less than nine racers, all of which are capable of either winning, making the podium or, at a young age, vying for top ten positions. Haiden Deegan, Jordon Smith, Enzo Lopes, Nate Thrasher, Daxton Bennick, Stilez Robertson, Nick Romano and Gavin Towers. 9 guys, led by the SMX World Champion Deegan, who’ll boot up and, no doubt, have Monster/Star/Yamaha in position to podium – and win – the SX 250 East and West regions. Guys to watch closest, besides all of them? Deegan for sure (2nd ESX as a rookie), Smith (just off the ’23 ESX podium in 4th), a healthy Thrasher, and rookie Bennick (two SX Futures and four podiums in ’23).

Anderson’s New Deal with Kawasaki… Jason Anderson can flat out haul the mail. In 2022, riding for Husqvarna, he finished up as the SX 450 class runner-up to Eli Tomac (Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha), scoring an impressive 350 points on the season. The following season Anderson’s results dipped a bit, managing only two podiums – 2nd at San Diego, 3rd at Anaheim 2 – on account of injury. So what does Kawasaki do for ’24? They re-up his contract, understanding the great potential. So keep an eye on the #21 Monster Energy-shod KX450F – especially when it’s around the #27 of rival Malcolm Stewart.

Big bounce back for Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki?... It was a tough season last year for Mitch Payton’s Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki squad, what with the rash of injuries that kept the green bikes from their usual podium and top five dominance. The lone bright spot, Jo Shimoda - 2nd in 250 SMX and 3rd in MX (after finishing 2nd in MX in ‘22) - was hurt for much of the supercross season, managing only a 13th overall finish in ESX. Outside that Monster/PC/Kawi. Cameron McAdoo would place the best in WSX with a 7th. For 2024 SX Shimoda has moved over to Honda (still running the M-claw logo on his helmet), and in return Monster/PC/Kawi picks up a young, plug-and-play podium finisher (3rd in WSX) and a proven racer with big time lineage in Max Vohland, son of pro MX racer Talon Vohland.

Rivals Tomac and Webb, Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha teammates?... Yes they are. The former multi-time champs and longtime SX rivals, Tomac and Webb will boot up and pit out of the same hauler at Anaheim 1 – and for the entire SX/MX/SMX season. “He’s my biggest competitor, by far,” said Webb of Tomac – back in 2020. But outside that, there hasn’t been a lot of epic battles between the two over the course of their careers – until last year. Tomac and Webb battled hard throughout the ’23 season for the title, right down to the penultimate Denver round, when Tomac was unfortunately injured (Webb having been injured somewhat earlier in the season, concussion at Nashville). Circling the wagons and focusing on his comeback, Tomac, when 100-percent, has been faster in the last couple years. That said, Webb, on a Yamaha (coming off a KTM), could very well match Tomac’s speed – especially early on. Going to be some interesting team discussions in the ‘Yamahauler’ heading into – and throughout – the 2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season. 

Can Austin Forkner please catch a break?... Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Forkner is, hands down, one of the few 250 class racers that can flat out dominate. Unfortunately for Forkner, in a year (’23) that he was supposed to challenge for the WSX title, he crashed his way out of the championship chase at the Anaheim 1 opener. 3rd place podium runs in ESX (’19) and WSX (’20) were a sign of his early career SX speed, but bad luck has dogged the Missouri racer ever since. Provided he stays healthy, this could be the final breakthrough title chase year for the longtime 250 class racer.

Justin Cooper’s move up… The former 2021 WSX champion, Cooper (Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha) steps ‘er up following six years in the 250 class to race with the Big 450 Dogs beginning at Anaheim 1. And with most eyes focusing on his uber-fast teammates, multi-time SX champs Eli Tomac and Cooper Webb, Cooper is in an excellent position, with seemingly less pressure, to play spoiler and sneak a few podiums out of the early 450 class rounds. Also benefitting Cooper is the fact he’s moving up from the YZ250F to the 450F, a bike with very similar geometry and parts and support crew. Said Cooper: “There’s really nothing to worry about, like a big transition stage and having to move or anything like that. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Cameron McAdoo’s and don’ts… Do: Race with the podium speed that had him in 3rd place at the end of the ’21 WSX season. Don’t: Crash your way, in spectacular fashion, out of contention in ’24. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s McAdoo had his ups (4 podiums out of 5 WSX races with 3rds at Anaheim 1, San Diego, Oakland and Seattle) in 2023, scoring 101 points (7th place WSX overall), but also his downs (shoulder injury suffered in practice limited McAdoo to only five SX races in ’23). And he (reportedly) starts 2023 season with an injured shoulder, though it’s said to be less than serious. Regardless, when he's on he’ll definitely be one of the top two Monster/PC/Kawi guys in SX.

Can Jo go on Hondas?... Monster Energy will again back former Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki racer Jo Shimoda, who’s moved to the factory Honda 250 program for the 2024 season. Coming off an excellent 2023 season that saw Shimoda race to runner-up positions in both the 2023 AMA Pro Motocross Championship 250 class and the SuperMotocross World Championship’s 250 class, Shimoda joins another fast Monster Energy-backed racer, Chance Hymas, under the Honda tent. In ’23 ESX action, Shimoda was banged up, managing only one podium (2nd @ Nashville). Shimoda picks up the Honda CRF250R ride (along with Hymas) vacated by Hunter Lawrence and will certainly contest for podiums right out of the Anaheim 1 gate.

Also on Hondas with Monster Energy, Dylan Ferrandis… Last but certainly not least, the former Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha SX champ (’21), Ferrandis moves to the Phoenix Racing Honda team for 2024 (with Justin Cooper moving up to Ferrandis’ Yamaha ride). Still very fast and hungry – and extremely happy to be aboard the Factory Connection supported Honda CRF450R - Ferrandis turns over a new leaf with the Phoenix Honda program – and will no doubt be a 450 class podium threat.

For more information on 2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, including dates, tickets, TV broadcast stations and times, check out supercross live.