(Photo: Suzuki Racing)

If he’s able to grab a good start, I have no reason to think Stewart can’t challenge for a podium. However, he’s yet to have that opportunity to this point, so for the time being, I think we’ll have to sit back and watch where things stand with the future hall of famer on a week-to-week basis. It’s definitely a bummer to not see the number seven mixing it up out there with his compatriots.

Through the first three weekends of 2013, Jake Weimer has shown promise, routinely in the mix for the top five. Amidst the buzz surrounding the top contenders, Weimer has asserted himself as a solid player and the breakout rider of this early part of the season. It’s been up and down ride for Weimer since making the move to the 450SX class a couple years ago, but it looks like he’s starting to figure things out. He’s always been a strong Supercross rider and he should continue to improve each week. Monster Energy Kawasaki has to be pleased with how well the season has turned around after such an ominous start.

Of course, in addition to Villopoto’s maiden triumph of 2013, the other big story coming out of Anaheim was the official retirement of Kevin Windham. In the span of a near 20-year career that crosses three decades, Windham has gone head-to-head with virtually every big name in this sport’s modern era. That is something no one else can say. He was a part of the McGrath generation that also featured Jeff Emig, he went toe-to-toe with Ricky Carmichael and Reed at the prime of his career, and more recently he battled it out with the likes of Stewart, Villopoto, Dungey, and the newest young guns -- Canard and Barcia.

His résumé is one of the most exceptional you will ever see in this sport, despite never quite winning a premier class title. While that championship may have eluded him, Windham was beloved by the fans and enjoyed competing against the best in the world. He racked up 47 career AMA wins, boasts the longest main event streak in Supercross history at 102, and is perhaps the best mud rider the sport has ever seen.

Recently, Windham has been known for providing one of the most exciting elements of the opening ceremonies the sport has ever seen by transferring across multiple lanes -- sometimes over 100 feet in length -- while in darkness, and that's a treat he’s committed to giving to the fans through the remainder of the season. Windham is charismatic and he’s a showman and it is difficult to see him walk away from the sport that he has given so much to.

Meanwhile, Eli Tomac continues to be the king of the 250SX class. He’s a perfect three for three to start the season, and in Anaheim he really had his work cut out for him. Tomac’s biggest benefit thus far in 2013 has been his improved starts. He’s never been known to be consistent out of the gate, but this season Tomac has been in position every time the gate drops. Last Saturday, Tomac was forced to work his way around Ken Roczen and Cole Seely en route to the victory, and that fact resulted in the best race of the season. Neither Roczen nor Seely are easy marks, but Tomac put forth an impressive display of tactical riding to make it happen. I thought that if the opportunity was there that Roczen might challenge his rival, but after last Saturday’s performance, Tomac very well may be in a league of his own.

There definitely isn’t a lack of storylines coming into this weekend’s Oakland stop. The red plate has yet to change hands this season, but the competition tightens with every round. All eyes will be on Villopoto to see if he sets a string of dominance, but there are a number of riders in need of some strong results who are going to be in the mix once the gate drops on Saturday night.