*Editor’s note: Newf has a Future West MX Series race this weekend so Palms is answering your questions this week.
MXP: This weekend is Round 2 of the 2026 AMO Racing OPC Series at Auburn Hills Raceway. This track was around in the mid-1990s and hosted several Ontario Provincial events. What is your best memory from Auburn Hills?
CP: Yeah, from 1995 on, this track was a staple in the Ontario MX circuit. It hosting both Provincial Championship races, as well as normal events in the fall. First off, the track itself used to be drastically different in those days. Not so much from a layout standpoint, but more from a speed and how the track shaped up for raceday. In the 1990s, the track was a lot slower and had more of a ‘natural’ feel to it. During practice, most of the track still had grass on it, so lines had to be worked in and developed. Also, the main tunnel double jump was bigger and the landing was steeper, you had to be much more precise and only a certain number of riders were jumping it. I’d love to see this track return to a slower, more old-school type of natural terrain track, but I think that ship has sailed.
Anyway, from 1995-2001 I had some good races there with several fun battles, so it’s hard to just pick one. I think the most satisfying race came in 2000 when I was riding for the Two-Wheel Kawasaki Team. It was one of the Ontario Provincial rounds and that year I was battling with Matt Crown for the title. I remember standing in line to sign-up first thing in the morning (yes, in those days you had to stand in a long line every morning to sign-up) and in front of me was Michigan rider Tom Barron, who randomly showed up to race that day. I didn’t know Tom at all and only had raced him at the Walton National in 1997. Anyway, he obviously didn’t know me or see me standing behind him in line because when someone asked how he thought he was going to do that day, he replied with “I should win today pretty easily, there really isn’t anyone fast here.” At the time I kept quiet, but inside I was burning with rage and motivated to destroy him later that day. When I returned to the Two-Wheel trailer, I told Ron Ashley (Team owner and Manager) what I heard Tom say, and that I was going to wax him in every moto. Ron just laughed and said good! I know I didn’t win all of my races that day, but I know I beat Tom in all four of them!
MXP: It sounds as though that Ryder McNabb is going to make his 450 debut this weekend at Auburn Hills Raceway. Looking ahead to the summer, how do you think Ryder is going to do in the 450 class in 2026?
CP: Great question, and one that has been discussed many times over the past few months. When it comes to speed, talent, the ability to learn quickly, and just overall confidence, Ryder has all of the attributes needed to be a race winner and champion in the 450 class. For his rookie season, it wouldn’t surprise me if he came out swinging at the opening round and won a moto, and then repeated that the next week in his home Province of Manitoba. This kid is that talented and hopefully just as confident. However, the real challenge in the Triple Crown Series comes in the East when the tracks get rougher and the temperatures and humidity rise to sometimes unbearable levels. This is where I could see a 19-year-old McNabb struggle a little against seasoned riders like Dylan Wright, Jess Petits and even Harry Kulas. It’s a process all young riders have to go through in order to improve and gain experience. There are no short cuts to this process! I think Ryan Lockhart said it best several weeks ago when he made mentioned that regardless of how Ryder does this summer, the Triple Crown Series is a better series with Ryder in it! I’m excited to see him kick-off his 450 career this weekend at Auburn Hills Raceway.
MXP: Who do you think will win the Monster Energy Supercross 450SX Championship, Lawrence or Roczen?
CP: This is the golden question, isn’t it. Thankfully, the weather looks good so there is little to no chance of another wet main event. At this point, who the hell knows what is going to happen in the 450SX main event. I thought Hunter had this title on ice until a few weeks ago when he just handed points to Kenny. I think it will be interesting to see how Kenny responds to the pressure of being the points leader and the rider in control of this series heading into tomorrow night. He seems to perform better when he’s been the perceived underdog, and now he’s the man that everyone is chasing. Over time in any sport, the ability to still perform at your best while under extreme pressure is what separates the great athletes from the good ones. Right now, despite the added pressure of being the points leader, I feel like Kenny is in a good spot heading into what will be a dry and slippery race in the Mile High City. He and his RMZ450 seem to perform well in these conditions, and also, although getting this close to being a SX champion is new for Kenny, I feel like he’s in a good spot mentally. He’s been able to draw energy and focus from all of the adversity he’s faced during his career. Simply put, this is Roczen’s lifetime moment and fate appears to be on his side. If he wins this title, it will be one of the great moments in our sport as no rider has ever comeback from what he went through in 2017 and win a title. Yes, riders have returned from serious injuries to win again, but Kenny’s arm injury was gruesome. On the other side, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Hunter won the final two rounds and took home this 450SX title, he’s been that good all series long. Finally, I do feel like the X-Factor in this battle is the “Australian” in Hunter and that “Do anything to win” mentality. I can totally see Hunter getting very aggressive if need be and putting Roczen over a berm in order to win. A move like this might not be popular with the fans, but I don’t think Hunter cares. Tomorrow is going to be a very entertaining night of racing in Denver!
