Chasing the Red Plate: Can Blake Baggett Make it 6 Weeks in a Row?

In our weekly feature, Chasing the Red Plate, we'll take a look at the various points scenarios heading into the next race. Refer to the chart for each class to see where certain hypothetical finishes would put each rider in the race for the championship.

450 Class

  RedBud Point Scenarios
Rider, Points 1-1 2-2 3-3 4-4 5-5
1. Ryan Dungey, 236 286 280 276 272 268
2. Mike Alessi, 182 232 226 222 218 214
3. Jake Weimer, 179 229 223 219 215 211
4. Andrew Short, 154 204 198 194 190 186
5. Brett Metcalfe, 142 192 186 182 178 174
6. Broc Tickle, 134 184 178 174 170 166
7. James Stewart, 116 166 160 154 150 146

 

With James Stewart out of action in recent weeks, Ryan Dungey has capitalized on the opportunity and now holds a 54-point lead on Mike Alessi. As a result, Dungey could DNF both motos and still hold onto the lead, even if Alessi sweeps.

Jake Weimer will look to move into 2nd this week

Jake Weimer once again enters this week trailing Alessi by 3 points. If both riders finish in the top 5 in both motos, Weimer could ensure he moves past Alessi by finishing ahead of him in both motos.

250 Class

  RedBud Point Scenarios
Rider, Points 1-1 2-2 3-3 4-4 5-5
1. Blake Baggett, 222 272 266 262 258 254
2. Justin Barcia, 209 259 253 249 245 241
3. Eli Tomac, 200 250 244 240 236 232
4. Ken Roczen, 200 250 244 240 236 232
5. Marvin Musquin, 153 203 197 193 189 185

 

Blake Baggett has not relinquished his points lead yet this year. When the gate drops at RedBud, he needs to go 1-11, 2-5, 3-4, or better in order to guarantee he keeps the red plate at the season’s halfway point.

Ken Roczen is still in search of his first win

Justin Barcia has settled into 2nd for the time being, and can stave off Eli Tomac and Ken Roczen by finishing 1-7 or 2-3. Tomac and Roczen are in a dead heat for 3rd and will need to beat each other to move into sole possession.

Now sitting 47 points out of the top 4, Marvin Musquin would need one of the riders ahead of him to have a really bad day in order to even have a shot at improving his standing.