"All of your guys were around when four-strokes came out," said the AMA's Mike Burkeen in Thursday night's AMA Arenacross press conference. "The rules were made and it turns out they weren't very good. They basically killed off the two-strokes. Once it happened we couldn't put the genie back in the bottle. With the electric bikes we didn't want to go full-bore and then just cut it off if we find out it doesn't work. Because everyone has made purchasing decisions already, then we'll have all these guys that they bought under what they would say were bad pretenses. So we want to walk before we run, but we definitely want to run. What that looks like? Nobody knows?"

Arenacross can serve as the testing ground to see where electric could fit, so a new stand-alone class for Stark Varg electric bikes has will fit into the Arenacross structure for 2024-2025. Have a listen to last night's press conference as the series explains the new class, and hear from riders like Josh Hill and Justin Bogle. Don't worry, the traditional AMA Arenacross class for 250s and 450s remains, with Kyle Peters trying to hold off riders like Ryan Breece and Vince Friese to notch a record sixth-straight championship. But in the Dash for Cash, it will be electric versus combustion! All the stars are here to talk about their prospects before tonight's season opener in Reno, Nevada.

The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura and Racer X Brand.

Few remember that in 2019, when Austin Forkner was ascending in the sport and threatening a perfect season in 250SX East Region, that Jordon Smith was actually the closest rider to him. Forkner's eventual ACL injury and a title for a young Chase Sexton later become the story. By then, Smith had hurt his wrist, and struggled for years to solve that injury. In fact, he thought his career might be over.

After missing major chunks of racing over the next few seasons, including two frustrating seasons with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki, he took the pressure off during a brief run with Firepower Honda.

Then Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing called, and Jordon's career rebuild was really taking shape. Now he's got a new deal with Triumph that could stretch to three years and the 450 Class. Jason Weigandt rings him up for this podcast.

The Racer X Exhaust is presented by Yoshimura and Racer X Brand.

New team deals are getting announced later than ever, as we still await Monster Energy Kawasaki announcing its new deal with Jorge Prado for the 450 class in 2025. But Triumph just announced its 2025 team, featuring Austin Forkner, Stilez Robertson, Jordon Smith and the returning Jalek Swoll. We also have seen Pierce Brown on his new Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing machine, and know that Star is signing new amateur talent like Caden Dudney. Plus GasGas moves away from Troy Lee Designs and into the same program as Rockstar Husqvarna, including Rockstar sponsorship. Jason Weigandt talks about all of these moves, and then talks to Triumph U.S. Team Manager "Scuba" Steve Westfall to hear how Year 1 went for the new brand. Scuba doesn't hold back!

The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura and Racer X brand.

Maximus Vohland is a second-generation rider, the son of former AMA National and Supercross winner Tallon Vohland. That would make it seem like his path to the pros has been easy, but you'll find that is absolutely not the case.

Jason Weigandt catches up with Max, who is just getting back on the bike after a hip injury ruined his 2024 season. The injury left Max with extreme nerve pain, and fighting to fight off the potential of getting addicted to pain medication. That's not all. In this podcast Max will explain how his plan to race EMX in Europe as an amateur that washed away with COVID. He'll also talk about his sister's traumatic brain injury suffered while riding a horse, and how her own comeback trail has inspired him to keep fighting. Max's goal? Get to the podium, make some money and buy his sister a horse!

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The 2024 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations was an awesome event, but even the incredible emotional highs of that day have begun to fade nearly two weeks later. But Jason Weigandt isn't done talking about it -- or talking about anything, ever -- so now that he's home he logs this wrap up for the MXoN weekend.

From the team and race results, to the atmopshere of the race, to the MXGP team set ups and even some cultural observations, Weege wraps up an unforgettable event that pretty much marked the 100th year of motorcycle scrambles racing in England.

The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura and Racer X Brand.