Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Jason Anderson captured his second-straight 450SX Class win after leading 12 of the 24-Lap Main Event.
A first-turn pileup included Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac, Monster Energy/Knich/Yamaha Factory Racing’s Cooper Webb and Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen while Roczen’s teammate Cole Seely grabbed the holeshot and lead 12 laps before Anderson’s come-from-behind win.
“I’ve just been putting myself in good positions, and I’ve just been fighting,” Anderson said on the podium. “I really had to keep my head down but, man, I’m excited to keep getting these wins and podiums, and I’m just grateful for the opportunities.”
Team Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Marvin Musquin started fourth and battled his way into second. For the second consecutive week, Rocky Mountain ATV/MC/KTM/WPS Team’s Blake Baggett rounded out the podium after a seventh-place start.
“It’s great to be back on the podium,” said Musquin. “I’ve been working really hard and feel I’ve made a lot of progress. We made some good bike setup changes going into the Main Event, which really helped get me comfortable and have a good race. I’m looking forward to continuing to build from here.”
In the 250SX Class Main Event, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Joey Savatgy earned his third holeshot of the year ahead of teammate Adam Cianciarulo and Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing’s Justin Hill. Cianciarulo lead for 11 laps before Hill found the lead for six laps to score his first Main Event win of 2018. GEICO Honda’s Chase Sexton picked up his second career podium behind Cianciarulo in second.
“It was tough, I’m not gonna lie,” Hill said on the podium. “But this track lends itself to me because it was technical … I’m beyond psyched, and to put the bike on the top step and kind of shut up all the haters in a way, I feel really good about it, and I feel back to my true form.”
450SX Class Results
1. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna
2. Marvin Musquin, Clermont, Fla., KTM
3. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrance, Calif., KTM
4. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda
5. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., KTM6. Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., Honda
7. Weston Peick, Menifee, Calif., Suzuki
8. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., Yamaha
9. Dean Wilson, Clermont, Fla., Husqvarna
10. Vince Friese, Cape Giradeau, Mo., Honda
450SX Class Championship Standings
1. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna (141)
2. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., Yamaha (113)
3. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda (106)
4. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Honda (102)
5. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrance, Calif., KTM (99)
6. Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., Honda (99)
7. Weston Peick, Menifee, Calif., Suzuki (98)
8. Marvin Musquin, Clermont, Fla., KTM (96)
9. Joshua Grant, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki (83)
10. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., KTM (82)
Western Regional 250SX Class Results
1. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Suzuki
2. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna, Fla., Kawasaki
3. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
4. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki
5. Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., KTM
6. Christian Craig, Orange, Calif. Honda
7. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha
8. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha
9. Mitchell Harrison, Tallahassee, Fla., Husqvarna
10. Bradley Taft, Nixa, Mo., Yamaha
Western Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings
1. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha (134)
2. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki (129)
3. Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., KTM (117)
4. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna, Fla., Kawasaki (116)
5. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (107)
6. Christian Craig, Orange, Calif. Honda (106)
7. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Suzuki (105)
8. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha (83)
9. Mitchell Harrison, Tallahassee, Fla., Husqvarna (72)
10. Hayden Mellross, Clermont, Fla., Yamaha (67)
Photo: Simon Cudby